Our new recipe book is called Elegant Easy Appetizers. Each recipe has only five ingredients, they’re very easy to make, they look elegant, and they really lift your meal to the next level.

Picture your dining room table beautifully set with charger plates, elegant dinner plates, side plates, beautiful glasses, and your best cutlery or silverware, with your lovely cloth napkins folded into an elegant shape on the side or on the dinner plate. Maybe it’s a celebration meal, or just a fun, fancy dinner with your family. In the center of the table, you could have some candles or little twinkle lights, some flowers, or any of your favorite centerpieces.

The appetizer course starts the meal in the right way. It helps everyone to see that it’s not just going to be a rushed meal, so they have the right expectation coming to the table. They know there’s going to be a few courses that they’ll get to enjoy, so even if one is not their favorite, perhaps another will be. They know they can take their time, relax, and enjoy good food. The goal of this meal is not just to eat, but to connect as a family, and to have good fellowship at the table.

“When you break down the meal into courses, or have an appetizer first, you’ll have more time to relax and be together, be present, enjoy the meal, and time to connect as a family.”

“Having an appetizer slows down the meal. It’s not just about the food, it’s about making family memories together.”