Jeanne Benedict - Food and Fun for Everyday and Parties

Halloween Kid Food by Jeanne Benedict on KTLA

2009-10-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

Watch the video where Jeanne makes this Halloween Kid Food on KTLA!Witch Obento BoxMany are familiar with classic wooden obento boxes where compartments hold a balanced Japanese meal for the diner. The tradition of creating a “bento” box for children so that they may enjoy a nutritious homemade and artistic meal for lunch at school has migrated from Japan to the United States. This bewitching

Spider Web Design on Triple Layer Gaucamole, Cheese, and Egg Torte

2009-10-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

I made this spider web topped torte for a TV appearance in San Diego and copied the TV screen shot to show you (please forgive the blurriness!). This triple layer torte is based on one of my favorite party dips and a variation of this recipe with caviar spread over the top is in my book Sophisticated Entertaining.You'll need a cheesecake spring-form pan (a round pan with a removeable collar) to

"Boo" Spaghetti

2009-09-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

I made this fun "Boo" Spaghetti for dinner the other day while experimenting for Halloween! Cook spaghetti according to package directions, making sure to keep some long noodles intact, as opposed to breaking them to fit into the pot.Line a cookie sheet with foil. Pull a noodle out and form the word "boo" on the foil; make a few. Bake at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until firm and place your "

Del Monte Fruit Chillers Blogger Event

2009-09-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

My friends at Del Monte invited me to a fab event at New York's Soho House to introduce bloggers to Del Monte Fruit Chillers Freeze & Eat Tubes. Given that the temperature outside was over 100 degrees that day, all were more than thrilled with the sorbet treats!I had received some in the mail earlier in the month and gave the 2 flavors, Strawberry Snow Storm and Grape Berry Blizzard, to the "

Ginger Butter Carrots

2009-08-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Summer has been busy (as you can tell from the few posts I've done!). We had a friend over for dinner last night and being a bit tired of bbq, I decided to make an easy meal. But, I still wanted it to have a flair so this simple side dish was perfect.3 tablespoons butter1/2 teaspoon minced garlic1 teaspoon minced gingeroot (peeled)2 cups julienne carrotsMelt butter, garlic, and ginger in a

Tuna with Toasted Mustard Seed and Capers on Wonton Squares

2009-07-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

While the tuna in this appetizer is prepared rare, you could easily sear the fillet for a fully cooked preparation of this recipe.The toasted mustard seeds add a smoky dimension to the lemon juice and caper blend.Most wonton wrappers are packaged as circles or 4-inch squares. Simply stack the square wrappers, and quarter them to make your 2-inch appetizer squares for this recipe.1/4 cup olive

4th of July Cake: Red, White, and Blue Lemonade Bundt Cake

2009-06-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

A moist Bundt cake made with America’s favorite summertime beverage, lemonade, will be a big hit at a Fourth of July party! This holiday dessert is based on one my best cake recipes for a Screwdriver Bundt Cake from my book, "Sophisticated Entertaining" I adapted it for an article, "Fourth of July Desserts," that I wrote for Celebrations.com, where I'm a Contributing Editor and Lifestyle Party

Toasted Almond Doughnuts

2009-06-10T12:50:00.001-07:00

We all love the ease of picking up a dozen doughnuts at the local shop. But with the world of epicurean quick-stops like Starbucks or corner cupcake boutiques maxxing out taste limits, why can’t a simple fritter have a little fun?Give homemade cake doughnuts a flavor makeover with a sophisticated topping recipe that has Amaretto.Or pick up a dozen plain doughnuts from the store and ice them with

The New Gibson

2009-06-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Poolside cocktails can be tough for guys. I know my husband is not a fan of "fru fru" summer drinks like Pina Coladas. A Margarita is about as blended as he gets. While a Martini may be too "Mad Men" for poolside sipping during the day, this New Gibson cocktail with a splash of onion juice and sleek chive spears quenches without compromise.1 oz. premium Gin 1/2 oz. dry Vermouth 3 oz. club soda

Savory Éclairs with Spicy Crab Salad

2009-06-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

I have a passion for vintage cookbooks. What's most remarkable about books from around 1920 and before are the chapters devoted to those convalescing at home with "receipts" for bouillon and consomme' designed to cure what ails one. Nice start for a delicious recipe, eh? "Remember all those diseases we used to fear around the turn of the century, and BTW, here's a great recipe for an afternoon

Caesar Salad in a Parmesan Bowl

2009-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Topped with toasted capers, lush with garlic, and served up in a lacy Parmesan cheese bowl, this Caesar Salad is a sensational start for a dinner party. I've made the dressing for years and originally developed this recipe for my book Sophisticated Entertaining. The Parm bowl is something I had always wanted to try and after a bit of experimenting found that a piece of toast in the bottom of the

Luau Recipe "Mai Tai" Salsa

2009-05-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

LUAU PARTY SUPPLIES AND DECOR Luaus are the #1 summer party theme and there are a ton of awesome luau party supplies available from cool retro floral designs on paper goods to classic tiki mugs and decor. So why is it that luau food is somewhat limited to Kaluha Pork, Mahi Mahi, and Coconut Pudding? In an effort to offer recipes as colorful as the landscape of the Hawaiian Islands, I've come up

Memorial Day Food - Papaya, Jicama, and Red Onion Slaw in Blueberry Vinaigrette

2009-05-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Bing! Bam! Boom! Coleslaw that will knock your socks off, and shoot bursts of color is a must on a patriotic party table whether you're celerbating Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or another red, white, and blue holiday. This recipe has the usual suspects in a cole slaw ingredient list, such as a few varieties of cabbage, but it takes a unique turn with the addition or jimcama, papaya, and

Pineapple Curry Hummus

2009-04-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

Try this tropical flavored hummus at a luau, barbecue, or outdoor party.1 clove garlic1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans3 tablesppons pineapple chunks1 teaspoon yellow curry1/8 teaspoon salt1/4 cup canola oilPlace garlic in a food processor and process until minced. Add beans, pineapple, curry, coconut milk and salt, and process into a puree.With processor running, slowly add oil in a steady stream

Chicken Piccata

2009-04-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

When trying to please a crowd, especially on the West coast, choose a chicken recipe. This delicious dish is prepared a little differently than the usual Piccata chicken recipe to prevent the chicken from drying out and to minimize the time spent in the kitchen if you are hosting a party. The morning of the party, give the chicken breasts a quick browning on both sides without cooking it all the

Warm Lemon-Bacon Dressing on Scallop and Spinach Salad

2009-04-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

Had an old friend over for dinner last night, and after spending the afternoon coloring 30+ Easter eggs and making a couple of loaves of delicious Easter Bread with Chocolate Chips in preparation for what I consider to be the busiest holiday for moms and dads, I wanted to make something really fresh and summery for dinner. Yep, I need it to be summer now with no homework or intense "

Easter Wreath with White Boas and Blue Eggs

2009-04-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hang this fab feathery boa wreath on your front door to welcome guests for Easter.

Easter Bread with Chocolate Chips

2009-04-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

Found in many a heritage is the tradition of baking an Easter bread that contains colored or dyed eggs. Bread, being the "staff of life" as symbolized by Christians, and eggs representing renewal are both iconic of the religious meaning of the Easter holiday for many. My Catholic mother-in-law, Rose, bakes this bread every Easter and helped me out with tips when I developed the recipe. Not being

Roast Duck with Hoisin-Cilantro Glaze

2009-04-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

Lordy me, do I love duck. Went to the grocery store yesterday and a little duckling called to me so I made this incredibly easy, delicious recipe. Of course my kids were freaked out by the notion of eating duck thinking that I was somehow destroying their childhood memories of bath time and rubber duckies. They treated the kitchen like a CSI scene and dared not enter until all traces of the

Honey Ham

2009-03-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Easter, this easy Honey Ham recipe is absolutely delicious with ingredients like brown sugar and ginger in the glaze that coats it. Purchase ham labeled "fully-cooked" and preferably smoke-cured. Even though Easter is celebrated today as a Christian holiday, its origins are rich in folklore with multi-religious beginnings. Ancient Anglo-Saxons would feast with the onset of

White Chocolate Cheesecake Topped with Lemon Curd

2009-03-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

In my second book, "Sophisticated Entertaining," I wrote a whole chapter devoted to cheesecake -- eventually all the cheesecake recipes will appear on my blog -- but I wanted to kick it off with my fave! My goal in developing the perfect cheesecake recipe was to strike a balance between the rich flavor that ample cheese in a recipe yields without creating a super dense dessert. I'm pretty happy

Seafood and Artichoke White Lasagna

2009-03-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows an Italian pal who has procured Grandma’s heirloom lasagna recipe. Making this traditional and time-consuming dish is a great way to introduce children to the kitchen. After you cook and prepare the ingredients, let the little fingers build the lasagna as you supervise with your glass of Chianti. Once assembled, lasagna can be frozen and then reheated for an easy supper.Lasagna

Irish Tea Bread or Barm Brack

2009-03-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Barm Brack is bread, with a few recipe variations, that is served on Saint Patrick’s Day and Halloween in Ireland. This version, similar to nut bread, is made with dried fruit soaked in tea. With all the amazing blend of tea these days, I can imagine a whole new flavor arena for this bread. I'm a fan of the Tea Garden in Beverly Hills who has this Chocolate Truffle Berry brew that is just like

St. Patrick's Day Video of Tabletop Decorations

2009-03-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Just some fun ideas to greenify St. Patrick's Day, my fave holiday!

Apple Mash

2009-03-11T10:53:00.001-07:00

Odd, I know, but the combination of golden potatoes and apples in this old Irish side dish recipe is exquisite. I developed this recipe years ago based on research from my peeps! Supposedly, I'm related to the greatest king of Ireland, Brian Boru. There's even a wikipedia reference about him and a sketch of the guy looking like tarzan got cold and swapped out the loin cloth for a fur mini skirt