The Kitchn | Inspiring cooks, nourishing homes

Catch Up With Friends: Menu for a Casual Dinner Party with Fresh Comfort Food — Budget Menus From The Kitchn

Anjali Prasertong — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 GMT

I love to entertain, but I'll be frank: I'm on a pretty strict budget. And because I try to buy sustainably-raised meat, even supposedly "cheap" cuts like pork shoulder or short ribs are too expensive to be more than an occasional treat, so more often than not, my dinner party menus are mostly vegetarian, fairly healthy and quite budget-friendly. This menu features freshened-up versions of classic comfort food and is perfect for a casual gathering to catch up with a few friends before the bustle of summer begins.

Princess, Korean Dol & More — Kids' Parties from Apartment Therapy

Dabney Frake — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

Kids know how to party! Check out the latest festive celebrations from the Apartment Therapy's Family channel, which posts kids' parties every day. We'll be bringing you a roundup of these inspiring parties every week.

Why I Love Wedding Registries (But Still Sometimes Go Rogue)

Anne Postic — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Gift registries are a big topic of debate these days. Some brides and grooms to be are accused of being greedy, with taste beyond their means. When we got married nearly 16 years ago, I didn't want to register. We had one of those small weddings that happen after a quick two-week engagement because the couple is in...ahem...a bit of a hurry. I changed my mind about registering a few days into our brief engagement, after a call from a local shop showed me that I was making life difficult for some goodhearted, dear friends of my parents and grandparents.

Ideas for an Easy, Crowd-Friendly Cocktail for My Wedding Reception? — Good Questions

Emma Christensen — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:00 GMT

Q: I'm getting married to my partner of 5 years in about 1 month! We are having the wedding in her parents' backyard and will be serving beer, wine, iced tea, and water, but we'd also like a cocktail. I'd like something that requires minimal effort and can be made with and without alcohol. Ideas?

Sent by Lisa

Easy Entertaining Recipe: Grilled Peppadews with Smoked Mozzarella — Recipes from The Kitchn

Nealey Dozier — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Every now and then I stumble upon a recipe that quite literally stops me in my tracks. It can happen anytime, anywhere, with any type of food, but it's not often that a combination of just two ingredients blows my mind. But there is something about zippy little Peppadews — yep, the ones you find in the your grocer's salad bar — that always keep me coming back from more. When you add a melty cheese to the mix and throw 'em on the grill? Better hold me back!

Wedding Desserts I Can Make Now and Freeze? — Good Questions

Anjali Prasertong — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Q: My wedding is at the end of June and I am doing a "potluck" dessert table where people can bring chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or lemon desserts. I love to bake and I'm planning on making a few desserts myself ahead of time. What are some freezer-friendly desserts that I can make now, that will still be delicious in a month and a half?

5 Tips for Throwing a Dinner Party in a Small Apartment — Gatherings from The Kitchn

Cambria Bold — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

All week long I've been sharing my spring dinner party on The Kitchn, a party I hosted in my one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. I've already shared the party plan, my main course recipe, the big dinner itself, and how I arranged the flowers. Feeling inspired? Great! Still feeling anxious about throwing a shindig in your own little apartment? Not so great! That's what I'll be talking about today.

Ideas for Healthy, Quick Recipes for a Sit-Down Family Breakfast? — Good Questions

Anjali Prasertong — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Q: My husband is going back to school in the fall and we have two young kids, so we've decided that we'll try switching our main family meal to breakfast rather than dinner to try and keep us connected. I know we can have family time over bowls of cereal, but it would be nice to make it a little more special as often as possible.

Suggestions for Make-Ahead Picnic Foods for a Crowd? — Good Questions

Emma Christensen — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

Q: I am hosting a family picnic in Wisconsin the 2nd week of June. Some kids but mostly adults. I'm living in California now and am much more of a foodie than my Midwestern family. I'd love some family-friendly and "not too foodie" ideas for a picnic. We won't have a grill, so all the dishes will need to be made ahead.

Baked Fish & Arugula Salad: Menu for a Spontaneous Romantic Date Night — Party Menus from The Kitchn

Emma Christensen — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

This has felt like an unusually busy spring, and I'm sitting here struggling to remember the last time my husband and I actually had ourselves a real date. We'll both be at home tonight without a thing on the calendar, so I'm thinking of surprising him with a spontaneous date night. Here's what is on the menu!

How I Turned Store-Bought Flowers into Pretty Arrangements for a Party — Gatherings from The Kitchn

Cambria Bold — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT

I love flowers, tulips especially. So when I decided to throw a spring dinner party earlier this month, I knew that flowers would be a major part of my decorating plan. But here's the thing: I'm not a floral designer, nor did I have a huge budget to spend on a fancy professional arrangement. So here's how I put together a few pretty arrangements for my table with only a bunch of lilacs and two bouquets of tulips.

Dress Up Your Ice Cream! 30 Sundae Toppings That Go Way Beyond Sprinkles

Nealey Dozier — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Buttery Popcorn Ice Cream with Homemade Cracker Jack

Whether you are a kid, or just a kid at heart, sometimes there is no better way to end a summer meal then with a big bowl of rich, creamy ice cream. If you've planned ahead, nothing pleases a crowd like homemade, but if you're strapped for time, dress up store bought ice cream with an array of unusual toppings. I can guarantee you won't hear a single complaint.

Vintage Trains, Elephants & More — Kids' Parties from Apartment Therapy

Dabney Frake — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

A Spring Vegetarian Dinner for Six — Gatherings from The Kitchn

Cambria Bold — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

This week I've been sharing a spring dinner party for six I hosted in my small Brooklyn apartment. I bought a bunch of pretty lilacs and tulips, strung a few lights, and rearranged my living room to create an colorful indoor garden party where my friends could sip cocktails, snack on appetizers, and then sit down to a vegetarian meal over candlelight.

Today I'll show you the full party and how it all came together, from the pre-party prep to serving the food, from the table setup and decor to my makeshift cocktail lounge. It really was a delightful night, topped off with an impromptu jam session after dessert. (Roasted strawberries inspire singing, in case you didn't know.)

A Playlist for a Spring Dinner That Stretches Long Into the Night — Party Playlists from The Kitchn

Cambria Bold — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT

I love dinners that stretch on into the night. Long after dessert is over and the plates have been cleared, when the candles are burning low but there's still another bottle or two of wine, when everyone's moved into the living room or out on the patio, when people are feeling tired, contented, but not quite ready to go home yet... that's when you put on this playlist.

A Spring Vegetarian Dinner for Six: The Party Plan — Gatherings from The Kitchn

Cambria Bold — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

A few months ago we launched a new monthly series, Gatherings from The Kitchn, showing you the real-life parties we host in our homes, large and small. We started off with Faith's cozy Italian polenta party, followed by Anjali's charming book club brunch. This week I'll be sharing a spring dinner party I hosted in my small Brooklyn apartment. You'll read about my light, fresh vegetarian menu — centered around soup, not pasta! — the simple ways I arranged a few bouquets of store-bought flowers, and how I transformed my living room for the occasion with some clever rearranging and a few twinkling lights.

Are you in the mood for a sparkling spring dinner for six? Then come along to mine!

Ideas for Homemade Wedding Desserts That Travel Well? — Good Questions

Anjali Prasertong — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Q: I am planning my wedding for October and would love to have some homemade desserts. We live four hours from our wedding venue and would need dishes that can travel well and still be good up to 48 hours later. Any ideas for small desserts other than cookies that would work?

Sent by Michelle

A Toast to Gatsby: Champagne Mint Julep — 10-Minute Happy Hour

Maureen Petrosky — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

This week's end gives us lots to toast. Tonight, the alluring Jay Gatsby and his dazzling Daisy hit the box office in Hollywood's latest version of The Great Gatsby. On Sunday, moms everywhere get to celebrate. If that weren't enough, it's Friday, people! That means a delicious 10-Minute Happy Hour just for you.

Tips for Baking Cupcakes Ahead of Time? — Good Questions

Anjali Prasertong — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Q: I'm having a graduation party and would like to serve cupcakes for dessert. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make them the day of the party and will be out of town the day before. Do you have any tips for preparing them ahead of time?

Sent by Mitch

Pink Zoo, Janelle Monae & More — Kids' Parties from Apartment Therapy

Dabney Frake — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

Harper's Pearl Party

Easy, Colorful Appetizer Recipe: Creamy Beet & Tahini Dip — Recipes from The Kitchn

Megan Gordon — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

We have a great Middle Eastern grocery a few miles north of our house in Seattle, and given that my boyfriend Sam is Lebanese, we visit often to stock up on chickpeas, good feta and tahini — the latter being the one non-negotiable; we're always stocked with tahini. And this recipe was born, really, from a few leftover beets and a love of tahini. That's all you need.

When You Want to Impress the Kids, Make Popovers

Anne Postic — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Last summer, the kids and I spent a month in Italy, ensconced in a farmhouse with dear friends near the coast in Marche, with plenty of day trips to gorgeous beaches, amazing restaurants and mad legit medieval festivals. (Yes, this is going to be a tough act to follow. This summer will be a great time to teach the boys that life isn't always crazy perfect. See you at the neighborhood park!) Every morning, I woke up before everyone. (This only happens in a perfect Summer-in-Italy world, thanks to time zone changes.) My friends' son Guido Jack, another early riser, was often waiting on the sofa patiently, curious to see what I would make for breakfast. I felt the need to perform. With limited trips to the grocery store, my surprise options were few. But what about popovers? More

An Interview with Faith Durand About Her New Book: Bakeless Sweets

Emma Christensen — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

For as long as I've known Faith Durand, she has been ever so slightly obsessed with no-bake — a.k.a. bakeless — desserts. There's her love of panna cotta, and her tendency to layer delicious things with whipped cream. Of course, we also have her no-bake strawberry icebox cake, which has become one of our top recipes here on The Kitchn.

Faith has now taken those years of playing with custards, fluffs, and other sweet stovetop creations, and she's put them into her latest book: Bakeless Sweets, which is being released today! So we thought we'd do an interview with Faith and get a peek into how she got hooked on these desserts, her favorite kitchen tools, and which recipes you should try first.

Tips For Making Grilled Pizza For a Crowd? — Good Questions

Anjali Prasertong — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Q: I love grilling pizza and want to host a grilled pizza BBQ in the next few weeks. I have thought about precooking the dough on one side before the party, and then putting it back on olive oiled parchment paper so people can either build their own pizzas, or I can top several and have them ready for the grill.

15 Best Make-Ahead Brunch Recipes — Recipes from The Kitchn

Emma Christensen — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

I love brunch, you love brunch — I think we're all on board for a good weekend brunch, yes?! The one problem with brunch, however, is figuring out how to make it without having to get up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. This is why we're bringing you a round-up of all our favorite make-ahead brunch recipes today, just in time for Mother's Day — or whatever plans you may have next weekend.