Grape LaneGood food, good drink, good cuisine and cooking.

DVD sales go Blu-RayFiled Under: Let Us Entertain You

   The credit crunch has had its impact on all types of market sectors, from banking all the way through to farming, but one market that doesn’t seem to be affected, is the sale of Blu-Ray DVDs. Woolworths and Zavvi used to be two huge portals for the sales of DVDs and have since disappeared, but still, the Blu-Ray market is as strong as ever, according to

Playing With Your FoodFiled Under: Desserts, Let Us Entertain You

For some strange reason, the holiday season gives everyone an open chance to play with their food. Whether it’s a ginger bread house, or a candy landscape, or a cookie Christmas tree, it’s okay to get in and get sticky.

Every year I promise myself that my kids and I will make a ginger bread house. I have visions of ginger bread mansions dancing in my head. But we already make our Christmas cards AND we already make goodie plates for everyone in the family and in the neighborhood. It just seems that time always runs out.

Traditions are important, especially when it comes to holidays. I think it’s amazing that families take the time to share the food adventure that comes with building some of these great, sweet masterpieces. I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s not just about playing with your food that makes these buildings so great.

This year doesn’t look like it will be our year for Christmas, but who knows what the other holidays will bring. We may just make a gingerbread turkey or a ginger bread Easter basket. There is no reason one holiday should get all of the food playing fun over all those other great holiday seasons.

Food On a Stick Tastes BetterFiled Under: Let Us Entertain You

Hot dogs may be America’s favorite food, but shove a stick through one and fry it up with a corn batter and you have something close to heaven.  Even chicken fingers become something new and exciting when placed on a stick.  There is just something about food on a stick that is fun and tasty without being too tacky.  Food on a stick is so special that some areas even give it a celebration.

Food on a stick is great entertainment food.  Kabobs can be as much fun to put together and cook as they are to eat.  Just build a long shallow pit, fill it with coals, place a few racks on top, and the party will take care of itself.

The stick provides a clean way to eat the food without a lot of clean up.  It’s great for the guests and even better for the host.  Even cookies are being made on sticks – like lollipops – and are being used in place of cupcakes at parties.

Most people think of deep fat fried foods when they think of stick foods, but these party favorites can be healthy as well.  The things that can be served on a stick are limitless.  Let your imagination go crazy and see where the food on a stick theme can take you and your guests for your next get together.

Hospitality, Football, and FoodFiled Under: Let Us Entertain You

If you throw a shindig and want to make sure you pack the house then have food.  Nothing makes you a good host or hostess like a lot of food (except a lot of alcohol, only most guests won’t remember how great you were after they recover the next morning, so what’s the point).

Football season is gearing up, and so are my recipe piles for finger foods and easy entertaining.  Hospitality is one of my gifts, but in the past I would be so busy trying to get everything done that I missed visiting with all the guests.  Now I take a little longer to prepare, make things that are more convenient, and ask for help if I need it. 

There is also a limit to my prep time.  Thirty minutes before guests arrive, I’m done.  It’s like those competitions where they yell “time is up – hands in the air.”  It doesn’t matter how much I have left to do.  The next thirty minutes are all about getting ME ready for the party and into the party mood.  If I don’t get the mini quiches done, no body really seems to notice. 

The more I have gatherings, the more I find that they guests are here as much for the company as they are for the food.  If you have a warm and inviting atmosphere then most people are going to have an enjoyable experience.

Football may be the only exception to the food rule.  There must be good eats at a football gathering.  It takes a lot of energy to arm chair quarterback.  So freeze up some goodies that can be thawed and heated, keep plenty of chips and dip on hand, and what ever you do, keep the veggie tray for another day.