dinner party on shelterrific

Today I've got a post over at Shelterrific on a hearty pasta that's perfect for this time of year: ziti with butternut squash, radicchio, bacon, and ricotta salata. All this dish needs is a green salad and a bottle of red and you've got a cozy fall dinner that's totally dinner party-worthy. Click here for the recipe!

dinner party on shelterrific

I've got a post over on Shelterrific on how to make carbonara with bacon, peas, and mint. It's a rich and indulgent meal for those rare summer nights when you don't feel like eating a salad, but still feels reasonably healthy because it has peas in it. And mint! Okay, okay, it's not really healthy, but that's not the point. Occasionally, my need to eat decadent food trumps my need (desire?) to fit into a bathing suit. This is a recipe for one of those days. And it would be excellent for company.

dinner party on shelterrific

Fresh herbs are one of my favorite things to pick up at the farmers' market this time of year. Giant bags of basil, rubber band-wrapped bundles of flowering thyme, and fragrant bunches of mint can be had for just a few bucks. The problem? Using up all those herbs before they turn to scary black goo.

I've got a post on Shelterrific today about my solution: herb syrups. I love making different flavors to use in homemade sodas and cocktails. A few weeks ago in Florida, I turned basil syrup into my favorite basil lemonade, inspired by the abundance of basil in my parents' backyard. We almost went through a gallon of it at a family dinner.

Nothing more than herbs steeped in sugar and water, infused simple syrups are truly simple to whip up but make you feel ridiculously fancy. I dream of having a whole rack of different flavors labeled in pretty glass bottles at my disposal. The trouble is, they never last that long. Read more about it over on Shelterrific.

dinner party on shelterrific

I've got a post up on Shelterrific on a super fast appetizer: lemon-oregano shrimp. And this isn't one of those empty Fast! Easy! Quick! Cheap! magazine cover promises—this recipe really, truly takes no time to make. It's the ideal thing to whip up as people are just sitting down for drinks, or, if you're not feeling that hungry it can serve as a lovely, light summer supper with some salad and bread on the side. Sold yet? Go check it out.

dinner party on shelterrific

I've got another post over at Shelterrific today on chewy amaretti sandwich cookies. Intimidated by anything beyond slice-n-bake? Don't be. These little guys are really easy and quite delicious—like, eating five at a time delicious and then you turn around and they are gone. Don't say I didn't warn you.

dinner party on shelterrific

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, I've got a post over at Shelterrific on making Irish lamb stew. Even if you're not celebrating (and honestly, who really is?) it's a nice dish for this in-between, can't-decide-if-it's-spring-or-winter weather—here in New York, anyway. It's also a good way to use up any stray root vegetables lying around that you kind of can't face anymore...

dinner party on shelterrific

Today I've got a guest post over on Shelterrific, a really great home blog. It's about a snack and drink to make for an Oscar night party (or if you're just watching the awards by yourself). To find out what movie these treats are inspired by and get the recipes, click here.

Many thanks to Angela for letting me contribute!