Entertaining...Quelle Blast!

One thing that I've discovered this year is that I love to entertain.  There is nothing more fun than planning, decorating, and cooking for friends.  Before a dinner party, I can't help but envision the people I care about digging into the food that I spent time putting together.  Being that I've thrown multiple dinner parties and get-togethers this year, I am a true testament to the fact that entertaining does not have to be expensive.

On Tuesday night, I had my wonderful Book Club over to discuss Holly Golightly from Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's.  Wine was flowing and conversation amongst the gals was fun as always.  We all decided that Mr. Capote's style is poetic and that Holly has so many characteristics that we love and relate to (even if she is a floozie).

Being that my real life friend, Holly, loves cheese pizza more than just about any other kind of food, I decided that she would be an ideal critic for my homemade pizza.  You'll have to ask her, but I thought it was a hit.  I also had a chocolate fondue bar.  If you have a fondue pot, this is the perfect crowd pleaser...and so cheap.  I refused to make one that involved me buying some expensive liquor that would take up space in my cabinets.  I chose a simple recipe, and I must say that it was a success!

Chocolate Fondue
16 ounces chocolate (milk, dark or semisweet), broken in pieces
1/2 pint whipping cream
1/2 cup caramel topping

Heat all ingredients medium-low heat on the stove.  Pour chocolate in a ceramic fondue pot over low heat. Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods around fondue pot. Some suggestions are strawberries, apples, marshmallows, and pretzels. Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl and enjoy!

Make Dough Rise...
Since I've already shared my pizza recipes, here are ideas of how to make dough rise in a cold house (I live in an igloo to save money):

- On the lower shelf, place a large, shallow pan inside an unlit oven. Pour in boiling water. On the shelf right above, place the covered dough centered over the filled pan and close the oven door. Remember not to turn on the oven until the rising dough is taken out.
- Place the covered dough in the laundry room while doing the laundry.
- Heat a towel in the dryer so it gets very warm. Then wrap the hot towel around the bowl’s base.
- If it's a sunny day in the winter time, place in sunlight. If it's a summer sun, it's too hot.
During the summer, your garage may become a perfect place for the dough to rise in.
- If you have a gas oven, set the temp to 200 degrees F, and wait until you hear the burner come on. Then close the door for 1 minute. Turn off the oven and put the covered dough inside. Remove before you preheat the oven to baking temperatures. If you have an electric oven, heat for about 1 minute 15 seconds. Place covered dough inside to rise. Remove before preheating the oven.