Friends, family and their kids come over for an evening of fun. Giada has hired a babysitter and has put the kids outside where she's set up beanbags, snacks and games, while the grown-ups are inside playing poker. But the menu -- Zucchini and Olive Flatbread, Cauliflower and Bacon Gratin and Mascarpone Chocolate Toffee Bars -- is suitable for both adults and kids.
It's a Semi Homemade bridal shower and the menu starts off with Individual Pizzas with Canadian Bacon, Onion and Apple. Then, a Tomato Couscous Salad and a Chopped Chicken Mediterranean Salad. You will fall in love with the Lemon Meringue Tea Cakes from one of our Semi-Homemakers, and Sandra's Startime Dream cocktail is out of this world.
Give your favorite chicken recipe a break; Chef Anne Burrell shows duck breasts can be just as cinchy, with just a few easy tips. Her Seared Duck Breasts with Grape Sauce are even more impressive alongside Roasted Baby Carrots and Parsnips with Wilted Radicchio. Chef Anne even offers up an appetizer: Honey Crisp Apple, Cheddar, Bacon and Dandelion Crostini. With wine, Merlot.
Valerie Bertinelli invites her longtime managers, attorney and former publicist for dinner to thank them for all their support during her career. She prepares a menu of Brown Sugar Sriracha Bacon Bites, Asparagus in Piggy Blankets and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons. They enjoy a Caramel Apple Tarte Tatin for dessert and toast the 1980s with a Fuzzy Navel cocktail.