Bridgehampton Weekends: Easy Menus for Casual Entertaining
What is the secret to successful entertaining? "It's not just the food, not just the people, and not just the setting. It is how it all comes together," says Ellen Wright, author ofBridgehampton Weekends. After years of entertaining at her weekend home in Bridgehampton on Eastern Long Island, Wright, encouraged by her sated family and friends, has culled a series of favorite menus, arranging them by season and occasion. Casual yet chic meals focusing on good food and even better conversation make for a successful fête.Be creative, use what is in season, and prepare what you yourself like to eat, she suggests, and your guests will clamor to be invited back. The key for the chef/host is to prepare as much as possible in advance and not be afraid of taking shortcuts (she uses store-bought mixes for the bases of her chile-infused Short-Circuit Corn Bread and gorgeous Golden Bundt Cake with Chocolate Leaves). Whether an intimate dinner party for six or a surprise birthday bash for 15, the host, too, should be able to relax and enjoy a glass of wine instead of sweating over the stove.For a cozy, post-Halloween dinner, try Old Fashioned Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy followed by a Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake. On "The Coolest Dinner for the Hottest Day of the Year," enjoy a cup of gazpacho, followed by Chinese Chicken Salad and a wedge of Brown Sugar Peach Pie. Though some of the menus may look daunting at first, the recipes are straightforward and often include simple side dishes like Parsleyed Green Beans or Buttered Carrots. Accompanied by photos of beautiful Bridgehampton vistas and well-laid tables, each page includes helpful tips on food preparation and entertaining.--Dana Van Nest