Luxury Portfolio Vol. 08 Issue 01 - Gary E. Richardson

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SPANISH TAPAS Hosting a tapas night is a great way to gather a lot of people in an informal and fun way. Colorful Spanish pottery pieces make perfect serving dishes and add a splash of brightness to the table. This is an excellent event to host outside or in a covered area. Many tapas can be prepared ahead of time, especially the salads and marinated dishes such as goat-cheese stuffed piquillo peppers. Large pitchers of homemade sangria help keep cocktail preparations to a minimum. Sangria can be made with any type of wine and seasonal fruit. For gourmet Spanish delicacies, including anchovy-stuffed olives and ham from the famed acorn-fed Ibérico pigs, visit tienda.com. A MEAL WITH CAJUN FLAIR Cajun-themed parties are popular around Mardi Gras, but can be fun any time of the year. The rich legacy of Louisiana has created a cuisine that combines influences from a variety of cultures. The foundation of a Cajun meal is a rich gumbo. Cajun gumbo begins with a dark roux of flour and oil stirred over a hot stove, okra, chicken, and andouille sausage or tasso. Serving Bananas Foster with its rich sauce of brown sugar and rum flambéd at the table makes for a dramatic finish. A small market in Scott, Louisiana is famous for selling andouille sausage, tasso and other local delicacies necessary for the perfect Cajun feast at beststopinscott.com. 4

FRENCH STYLE Effortless style and luxury define the French hosting style. Every detail tells a story from the greenery and flowers to the serving dishes used. Mismatched place settings can be part of the charm and create an air of relaxed elegance. For the main course, pick up Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and create an entrée that your guests will talk about for years to come. A true gem in culinary literature, this book is designed to give novice and professionals chefs alike instructions on how to make the best dishes in French cuisine. In place of a rich dessert, consider adding a cheese plate for a classic finish. To delight your guests, consider Beaufort d’Ete, a raw cow’s milk cheese made from cows who graze on grass during the summer months. This cheese and a variety of other French cheeses can be shipped around the world from fromages.com. ITALIAN DINING A traditional Italian dinner party has many courses beginning with the antipasti, a tray of meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables. The primi piatti is often pasta or another starch like risotto or gnocchi followed by the secondi piatti, which is traditionally the meat course and is accompanied by vegetable dishes. Fresh pasta is available at many gourmet shops and can be made at home even without a machine. Consider decorating with Italian herbs. Rosemary sprigs, thyme, oregano, and lavender don’t just provide beauty, but can also complement the delicious aroma of the food. 2

erol spritz, perol, an Italian ors. The recipe for

The classic apertivo for starting the meal is an Ap a drink made with prosecco, club soda, and A apéritif with bright orange and herbal flav this and other cocktails can be found at aperol.com.

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