The Art of Entertaining
A MUST LEARN
It is so important that if you are social in any capacity, you know how to entertain. Whether you are dating, or just networking. Can you throw together a dinner party for six?

Take a page from Ollivier's Entre Nous (a Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl):
A dinner party isn't a task; rather it is a process. Think of seating your guests according to social interest rather than social status, creating chemistry means making sure that people with certain affinities find themselves literally rubbing elbows. Respect the girl/boy seating arrangement at all costs. Guests should be a part of lively, intelligent and often provocative conversation. Work life should not be a hot topic at a dinner party. The hostess should always dress with distinction. Conversation is a place where knowledge and charm converge. Be invested in your own pleasure and in the impression you make on others. It is the opportunity to flex your "femmes", to catch a whiff of fresh air in the form of new acquaintances (especially men), and catch up with friends and family.

"Think of the party you are planning as a painting. You pick the scene, you pick the subjects, you pick the colors. Take the time to fill in all the details that will bring sensual pleasure to your guests and yourself. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Do only what you can do extremely well and with enough ease that you can enjoy yourself. Make time to relax and put yourself together before your guests arrive. Wear what feels good and makes your body happy. Tap into the chemistry of all your guests. Flirt. Do the dishes tomorrow."

Dinner Party for 6

Simple Dinner Party for 6

On The Menu
Quick Chicken Korma
Jasmine Rice
Cucumber Salad

Flat bread

pick up fresh pastries or chocolates for dessert

Recipes

Chicken Korma
(from Ainsley Harriot's Meals in Minutes)

1 T Vegetable Oil
1 roughly chopped large onion (or 2 small)
1 1/2 cup of plain yogurt
1 cup heavy cream
2 T butter
1 t turmeric
2 t hot chili powder
3 cloves of crushed garlic
3 T ground almonds
4x4 oz. Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into six pieces ( I just cut up one regular packet of chicken breast)
Cilantro and slivered almonds to garnish

Preheat the Oven to 400 degrees

Heat the oil in a small pan and saute onion until softened (around 5 mins). Put onion into a food processor (Although I have never tried it, I suspect a blender could work as well) along with the yogurt, cream, butter, salt, turmeric, chile, garlic, and almonds. Blend well.

Put chicken in a greased casserole ( I use a glass oblong baking pan) and pour over the korma mixture. Bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Serve.


It may sound a bit complicated but I assure you - it is so simple a child could make this. It requires very little time commitment.

Cucumber Salad

2 Regular sized Green Cucumbers, peeled and sliced into half moons.
1 small onion (red if you have it) sliced into thin strips
1 T coarse/kosher salt
1/4 Cup of sugar
1/2 Cup vinegar
*Optional* 1 sliced and seeded jalapeno
Mix and serve. If there is time let the salad sit for 15 minutes - if not - no problem.

Buy a box of Jasmine Rice follow directions. 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.

Get the flat bread from any grocery store.

Done.

As for wine, I recommend a nice dry Riesling or if you can find it, a nice dry French Rose'.
And always, have water on the table.

The Table for 6

Table setting: Simple, white with gold accents. Center can be a glass vase with one bunch of white flowers such as white roses or lilies. Either an inexpensive gold damask table cloth (Target usually carries them in the winter)or gold fabric from a cloth or hobby store thrown over your table. Nothing outrageously expensive but dramatic. Keep the lighting soft, using a dimmer on lights or small lit candles.

When it comes to tableware such as platters and plates, it is always my suggestion to go basic. It is much easier to add color to your basic white ceramic dishes than trying to match different patterns and colors.