Dear Judy Ludy:

We’re having friends over for dinner and they’re somewhat snobby. My wife wants to order pizza, while I think duck is in the works. How do we compromise?

Signed,
Hungry in the Magic City

Dear Hungry:
I don’t think this is the appropriate time for a pizza party if you’re looking to impress your friends; however, duck is too fussy unless Martha is coming for dinner. You are correct; a compromise can be found. Try dining Al Fresco; simply put, take the party outdoors!

The right menu can be as fast, easy and even better than ordering out; and eating outside on the patio makes entertaining seem less formal and stuffy.

Here’s a sample menu that even a kitchen novice could handle.

- Get some porterhouse steaks, about 1 ½” thick, and season them with salt, pepper and some crushed garlic.
- Throw them either on the grill outside, or inside on the stove and use a grill pan.
- Get some asparagus spears, red onion (sliced 1 inch thick) yellow and red bell peppers (seeded and sliced in quarters) and 2 or 3 zucchini (sliced lengthways in about ½” slices). Coat the vegetables with some salt, pepper and olive oil, and throw them on the grill until they are lightly roasted.
- Toss a salad together (try the pre-mixed spring greens you can find in any grocery store), dress them with a prepared vinaigrette to save time (although a mustard vinaigrette takes no time at all).
- Open a ’99 bottle of Cabernet, and enjoy!

And so you’re not left looking at 3 year old photos of your kids or making painful small talk about the price of gasoline, complete the meal with an ice cream sunday bar; it’s interactive, fun, and gives you something to do while you’re discussing the neighbor’s on-going affair with their hot, 20 year-old nanny.

- Simply buy 2 or 3 quarts of your favorite ice cream, several
different types of toppings, nuts and whip cream, and you’re done.

A better presentation than pizza, and not as pretentious as duck!

Bon Appetit!

The Ludy-ism…Entertaining should be easy, fun and stress free. Don’t get your panties in a bunch about what to serve; it’s the event that counts. Choose a menu that’s a little more than Daisy Duke, but not Martha Stewart; you’ll impress every time.