change in perspective

a moment in time
Categories: Beverages, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on April 30, 2024 by Sandy Bergsten
It’s crazy how an unforeseen event can turn your entire life in a different direction. At the end of February, I had to jump on a plane to attend to a family matter. Five days there I received a hysterical phone call that our apartment in Chicago was ruined. I had trouble understanding the urgency of what might have happened. I tried to reassure
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no baloney

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Supper, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on December 19, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
Mortadella, an emulsified pork sausage that’s been a staple for centuries in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, has become a recent rage. You’ll find it gracing charcuterie boards, elevating every sandwich it’s tucked into, and even whipped to create a transcendent canapé. One of my favorite spots outside of Los Angeles is Milkfarm, an artisanal
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raise a glass

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Dinner for Two, Supper, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on September 8, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
Summer 2023 has had undeniable highs and a few rocky lows. Rather than lift a half-glass of rosé and whine, let me share a libation that has allowed me to toast the bounty of this summer season. This watermelon margarita is perfectly balanced- slightly sweet, just enough acid, and a smokey kick mezcal instead of tequila. The pureed fresh
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bundle of joy

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Poultry, Dinner for Two, Supper, Cocktail Party, Posted on August 1, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
My newest grandson just arrived, and I am over the moon! What magic to be there for those first few days and weeks of life. Not only is little Peter perfect in every way, it’s incredible to see my daughter and son-in-law blossom into such amazing new parents. One of my favorite things, other than holding that little sprite, is to nourish my loved
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figs & pigs

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on July 9, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
It’s a wrap! Recently I had two puff pastry requests. One was to bring my pigs in a blanket to a friend’s cookout. The other was to come up with a recipe for a fig in a blanket that a friend had at a cocktail reception and claimed was divine. At the barbeque my buddy was doing a blind tasting of several different strip steaks. One was prime
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hitting the green

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on June 13, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
It feels like I’ve traveled more in the past three weeks than I have in the last three years. And I have to say it has been a blast! I surprised my husband with a trip to the PGA in Rochester, NY. An amazing Garden Club of America Annual Meeting flower show in Columbus, Ohio. And a very special luncheon in LA to shower my youngest and her soon to
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oldie but goodie

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Dinner for Two, Supper, Cocktail Party, Lunch, Posted on April 9, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
One of my perennial resolutions is to go through an old binder of mine entitled “Sandy’s Best”, a collection of recipes that I have been lugging back and forth for years. Most of the recipes are from the late 1980s to early 2000s. Some are clearly dated. Others have fond memories. It’s funny but when I’ve tried to resurrect many, they’ve landed in
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an ethereal schmear

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Fish and Seafood, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Sauces and Such, Cocktail Party, Breakfast/Brunch, Posted on January 24, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
While I never do it, I love reading the comments other people leave on online recipes. For me, they complete a recipe’s journey. It’s especially useful when numerous readers post a similar point. When they do, I usually take it to heart. This often saves me from wasting a morning or afternoon’s effort. And sometimes following these tweaks and turns
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holidate

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on December 27, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
How about a little mangia trois to ring in the new year? It’s easy to make a splash with this trio. Whether you’re hosting a crowd, being a gracious guest, or ringing in the new year by yourselves these three recipes are super simple and never cease to impress. For each recipe you can make the components a day before, assemble them earlier in
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a stressless spread

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on November 15, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
On the morning news they said that Thanksgiving is ten days away. How did that happen?? I don’t know about you but this one really snuck up on me. Whether you’re hosting or bringing something to share, offering up a big board that folks can nibble from isn’t only impressive but relatively easy, especially if prep ahead of time. A charcuterie tray
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