THE LATEST FROM FRAN BERGER
Home Entertaining
How Many Plates do I Really Need?
4 is not a number no matter how many chairs are in your dining room! My kitchen table seats only 3 and my dining room table has only 6 chairs. So, how many plates do I really need? I need...
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Help! I’m Having a Party – How Much Wine do I Need?
Do the Wine Math: It’ll save your party every time. I get asked a lot about how much wine is needed for a party and my answer is always the same: do the Wine Math. No, it’s not New Math...
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Sophisticated Living – What is it?
More important, how to I obtain it? I often talk about sophisticated living and how everyone can live their lives that way. But, I think many people are confused about what I mean and how to achieve it in their...
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Recipe for Summer Punch: Champagne, Fruit, and Fun Ice
An adult drink with champagne that only looks fruity sweet (it isn’t). It’s summer and that means outdoor or indoor fun with friends and family and usually in a group. I always recommend greeting your guests with an adult beverage...
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Party treat: Champagne Jello Shots
This is the little party treat that will make a big splash at your next gathering. There are so many different ways to entertain guests: with mixed drinks, fun appetizers, and tasty finger snacks. This idea is an instant party...
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Get ready for a spring time treat—Roasted Asparagus
It’s a quick home recipe for roasted asparagus that’s perfect for any meal. I love the taste of fresh asparagus. And, the best way I know how to prepare them is roasting them with this very simple recipe. The first...
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How to get the best zest from your citrus.
My three most favorite types of citrus zest: curly, sliced, and fine grated. I’m sure most of you have already run into “citrus zest” as an ingredient in a recipe. I can think of several mixed drinks that call for...
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Pre-party Check: Favorite soap in the powder room?
Often overlooked by you, but not by your guests. As my mom used to say, “A little soap goes a long way.” I’m not sure this was what she was thinking of but the sentiment is good. Checking for that...
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Effortless Shrimp Cocktail: Master the Perfect Starter
An easy recipe for shrimp cocktail that’s tasty and lovely to look at. I have never met a “starter” I didn’t love. There are so many great ways kick-off an evening of fun with your friends or family but, for...
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Master Your Kitchen: Top 10 Must-Have Tools for Beginners
What you need to know about the top 10 essential tools for your kitchen. A client of mine just bought a second home near a lake. She faced the same problem all cooks face when stocking a new kitchen...
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What your dinner party guests really care about!
At your next dinner party, try these ideas to keep a fun night really rolling. I can’t tell you how many different dinner parties I’ve attended. Maybe almost as many as I hosted? I’ve been invited to some that were...
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Make a resolution, pay attention to your olives!
It’s a shame to take the olive for granted when there’s so much variety! I love olives. Green, black, stuffed, unstuffed, in salads, or plain. I only thought about the history of this fabulous fruit after a small gathering at...
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What to do with all those gift wines?
Turn them all into wine spritzers and keep your party going! Gift wines. There. I said it. A bottle quickly picked up at the market, thoughtfully bought, but random nevertheless. Guests can’t help it. Buying a random bottle of wine...
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Gifts She'll Love: Fran's Women's Gift Guide
Challenged by originality? Remember to be thoughtful. It’s probably a huge generalization, but I think it’s a lot easier to get a gift for a guy-friend than it is for a girl-friend. Not saying that guys are less sophisticated...
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2018: Fran’s list of Gifts for Men
Putting thought into gifts for men takes a little effort, but it’s so very rewarding. I admit it. I can get pretty particular sometimes. I still hand-write letters and thank you notes to friends and family. Yep. On paper! I...
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Tips for great holiday party lighting.
I have a lot of friends who work in stage, film, and video entertainment. One has been a “lighting designer” for going on 40 years. What that means is that he works with the set designers and comes up with...
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Simple Recipe for Champagne Vinaigrette
And so easy to make: Dijon Mustard, sea salt, champagne vinegar, and olive oil. You know me. I love to turn even the simplest things into a conversation. One easy topic that has a great and colorful history: anything and...
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Salt Cellars: A Taste of History for Your Table
“Above the Salt” Idea: Entertain guests like a pro with great salt cellars for your table. Do you know someone who can really throw a fabulous gathering no matter how large or small? I have to say I’ve been...
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In Search of the Perfect Coffee Mug
What are the qualities that sets one coffee mug apart from all the others? Ever notice how we collect coffee mugs? And we all have different reasons not just for accumulating them but also for keeping them. I have a...
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Recipe for Slow Roasted Onion Dip
This is the onion dip taste you’ve been looking for – seriously. You’re going to want to keep this one. You go to a party and – there it is – your favorite onion dip that we all learned to...
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