I’ve always been in the entertainment business and tended to carry that over into my personal life as well. I love creating dinner parties for my family and friends. Of course when I was younger it was much more of a production than it is now. However, nothing gives me more energy than organizing and preparing a full menu for dinner. I love putting together menus and then trying them out with everyone.

My joy is cooking and seeing everyone enjoy the results of my creativity. My biggest secret is that I look for ways to make it easy and simple. It’s not so much how you get to the end product as it is absolutely delicious. Not only do I love to prepare meals, but I also like to set a beautiful table with the same theme in mind. Using the colors of the country’s flag on the table linens to the color of the plates, if I have them available.

Appetizer

“Clam Casino”
1 bag of herb stuffing mix
1 can of chopped clams and juice
24 medium small neck calls (open steamed)
2 large garlic cloves minced 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper or red pepper flakes
2 sticks of butter (melted)
1 splash of Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients except clams. Chopped Clams Plus 1 can chopped clams and juice. Add to stuffing mix. Using all the shells, fill and top with Paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

salad

Simple Antipasto Salad
1 Cantaloupe or Honey Dew Melon
1/4 to 1/2 pound sliced ​​prosciutto
1 head of romaine lettuce
Wash and separate the lettuce, let dry.
Cut melon into 1/2-inch wedges, take a slice of prosciutto and wrap around each wedge. Place wedge on top of lettuce leaf to serve.

Living room

(Easy) “Veal Cacciatore with Peas”
2 pounds boneless beef (cut into cubes)
1 large jar of prepared mushroom sauce (Prego of Mrs. Honey’s choice)
1 package of frozen peas
1 medium onion (chopped)
8 oz fresh mushrooms (sliced)
1 red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper (sliced ​​lengthwise)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
Brown the veal in a large pan with olive oil, add the garlic, onion, mushrooms and peppers
Sauté until vegetables are tender, then add peas and sauce.
simmer for 1 hour over low heat. Serve over the pasta of your choice.

Dessert

“Easy Rum Cake”
1 yellow Betty Crocker butter cake mix
1/4 cup of rum
1/2 cup sliced ​​almonds
make sugar

Prepare cake mix as directed, except use 1 cup water and 1/4 cup rum. Add the almonds to the mixture. Bake in a prepared Bundt Pan for 46-51 minutes at 350 degrees. When the cake has cooled, prick around the top with a fork. Then add splashes of rum to the holes. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.

An easy centerpiece of Italian breadsticks and Panini bread slices in a basket with seasoned dipping oil is also a wonderful treat. All these little tips are great with good Italian music in the background. As I said at the beginning, this is all very easy and will impress everyone. “Mangia” Mrs. Honey.