Good friends, delicious food . . . Real Simple

One of the things I look forward to every month is when my "Real Simple" magazine greets me at the post office. I have subscribed to this mag since it's early days when it was given as a gift from my sister and have not once regretted it, even thought now the issues are as thick as bricks and mostly from increased advertising (which wastes our precious trees) as the mag has gained popularity. And I will forgive the fact that the fashion section has become not so "real" as they boast $300 and more clothing items . . . how is that "real simple?!" Anywho I will forgive this one annoyance as long as they continue to spark my interest in other areas namely the food and cooking section which NEVER leaves me disappointed. Every month I include at least 5-6 new recipes from the latest issue and rarely are we disappointed. Almost all include small ingredient lists and are complete and on the table in under 30 minutes! Their website is kickin' too as you can enter any ingredient in your pantry that has been hanging around asking to be used and you will find multiple recipes from their arsenal that uses that item!

So how wonderful was it when in the last issue I come across an article titled "Less Stress Dinner Party" which includes a great menu and decor to boot, and I really want to do it and the next day my friend Kristine emails to say, "Let's get together". Too perfect, so we split the tasks, meet up at her house and enjoy a fancy but layed back meal that is "real simple"! We even followed the decor ideas (brown kraft paper, fresh flowers and easy name tags) and only had one hiccup which was that I forgot a veggie side dish and we BOTH showed up with dessert. The kids thought that was terrific! Of course we went with Kristine's dessert because how can you go wrong with chocolate fondue?! So here are some shots of the table: (Take note of her great polish pottery finds from our recent trip to Poland, it is all the blue and white dishes.)



So now the challenge is in your hands, pick the dinner party menu or the one from tonight or this Frandsen favorite or any recipe from their website and give it a try! I promise you won't be disappointed and you might even find a new favorite to change up the menu planning. Bon appetite!