FIRST KITCHEN BLOGS

Does it seem like you have a million graduation parties to attend? Your cousin from high school, your sister from college, your friend from graduate school or maybe even you!  Graduation is a time of celebration and change and central to every graduation party is the food, which, if you aren’t mindful about how much - can change your figure.  Buffet tables lined with taco bars, dessert trays, foot-long sandwiches, chips, dips and cheeses could make anyone weak in the knees…or should I say mouth.   Don’t worry!  You don’t have to steer clear of the food table…just don’t become it’s best friend! 

Fill up on fun, not food using these simple tips:

-Don’t go to a party hungry…there is no doubt you will eat more than your share and maybe catch a few looks after your 4^th trip down the line.

-Use a small plate.  This will make it look like you have more than you really do.

-Drink ...WATER.  Don’t fill up on alcoholic drinks or soda.  Those both have a lot of calories and can increase the amount of food you consume…use moderation (trust me, you don’t want to start dancing on the buffet table)

-Head for the fruits and vegetables.  Choose dishes such as the grilled vegetables or fresh fruit bowl to go wild, not the tray of brownies.

-Socialize!  The more people you talk to, the less time you’ll have to eat.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring a gift for the hard working graduate.  Everyone appreciates a reward for his or her efforts.  Rather than giving the typical card-with-cash, try something more creative….

The FIRST KITCHEN DVD is a perfect gift for a graduate whether high school, college, or even grad school.  It is a great tool for getting started in the kitchen and learning how to cook tasty, healthy, inexpensive and easy food in the comfort of your own kitchen.  Let the FK team help you make this graduation season easy and rewarding…you may even get invited over for dinner after they’ve watched the First Kitchen DVD.

To order go to: http://www.firstkitchencooks.com/fk-shop.html

Spring has sprung here in Minneapolis but in a blink we’ll find ourselves in the middle of a hot steamy summer.  Since the nice days are few and far between we decided to host an impromptu soiree to celebrate the weather with our good friends and food!  

Parties don’t always have to take weeks to plan, sometimes these unplanned get-to-gathers are the most fun and can be much less expensive.   So, we took a couple of hours on Saturday to clean the house, sweep the patio and run to the store.  All in all the food was under $40! 

We included the essentials that you need for any party: food, atmosphere, entertainment, and beverages.  Since the party started later in the evening we decided to have a fruit and cheese theme and kept the decorations simple with fresh flowers and candles.  

Cheese is perfect for entertaining because you can choose a variety for your guests to try and almost everyone will like at least one kind.  We suggest you get at least 4 kinds and try to get a mixture of soft and hard cheeses.  Remember: I’m not talking about the sliced cheese you get from the deli, this is “specialty” cheeses.   For instance we decided on Brie, Sharp Cheddar, Gouda, and Bleu Cheese.  Grab a few French baguettes to slice up as well as a box of crackers, your choice, to serve along side the cheese. Next, head to the produce isle to pick up some fresh fruit such as grapes, apples or strawberries. Try to buy seasonal if you can to save money.   You could also pick up some dried fruit like apricots and some nuts like almonds or cashews. 

Usually your grocer will have a variety of fresh flowers for sale so grab a few that you like on your way to the check-out, these make for a beautiful spring decoration.  Beverages are up to your discretion.  It is nice to have non-alcoholic on hand such as sparkling water with fresh lemon slices or iced tea.  Good old water can be fancied up with lemon or cucumber slices to make for an inexpensive and refreshing beverage option. 

When you get home, create a killer ipod mix (and listen to it while you get ready for the party).  Make sure you include some songs to dance to!  Pull aside furniture to have space for mingling and need we say, dancing!  Arrange your food/beverage table to your desire…get creative!

We’d like to hear your ideas for hosting an impromptu par-lay! 

Keep it simple…don’t forget to enjoy the weather AND the company of good friends.  CHEERS!