INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

much further than something like steamed shrimp (which attracts  guests
from several states away and cost you a fortune). Also stay  away from
roasts or tenderloin for a party of this size. A selection  of
oil-cured black olives and cornichon, (small french gherkin  pickles),
finely chopped red onion, and capers are nice savory  complements. I
also like to serve smoked salmon with dark  pumpernickel bread.  To
round out the menu we're going to serve a sampling of sweet  cookies
and savory crackers.  Buy the crackers for the dips in bulk or once
again, at a wholesale  club. If you can find the time I suggest
planning ahead and doing  some baking for the sweet cookies. It will
cost far less. Shape them  a tad smaller than a "regular" cookie. Make
them bite-size. Store  them properly in airtight containers and freeze
them. Simple sugar  cookies, butter cookies and cheesecrackers are
nice, easy,  inexpensive cookies to prepare ahead.  THE BAR: THE BASICS
At a cocktail party, one must, or course, consider the bar. Serve  both
red and white wine and a small selection of hard liquor. Some  cocktail
tips:  Make sure you buy from a place that will give you a case
discount --  many stores offer a 10% discount if you buy a case of
wine. As for  hard liquor, vodka, bourbon, and gin are the basics. Some
stores will  even let you return unopened bottles - ask before you
assume. Don't  forget the mixers. At minimum you'll need soda and tonic
water as  well as cranberry and orange juice (use concentrate if you
want to  really pull in the belt), soft drinks, and lemons and limes.
Don't  scrimp on the liquor. Don't buy top shelf but don't buy really
cheap  liquor. Everyone will appreciate it!  REMEMBER...  You don't
have to spend a fortune to entertain. Keep the food simple  and think
about the number of guests, and the "event" - a cocktail  party is far
cheaper than hosting a Sunday brunch, yet certainly more  expensive
than a small dinner party for friends. Get a little bit  creative with
the presentation, make it exciting and festive. Most  importantly, have
fun!  © 1998 Lifetime Entertainment Services. All rights reserved.  MC
formatted using MC buster by Barb at PK  Recipe by: Virginia Willis
Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

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