EVERYTHING CROTON'S ALL THINGS COOKERY, KITCHEN & TABLE #42: SOME HOSTESS LESSONS LEARNED IN THE 2021 HOLIDAY SEASON

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

And now ALL THINGS COOKERY, KITCHEN & TABLE...our continuing series here at the blog for all you cooking enthusiasts out there---recipes, tips, local shopping, interesting links....we'll keep it light and joyful...when possible....click on the photos and links. AND NOW....

Because so many of us celebrated with friends and family------EVERYTHING CROTON'S ALL THINGS COOKERY, KITCHEN & TABLE #42: HOSTESS LESSONS LEARNED IN THE 2021 HOLIDAY SEASON!

Some of these may seem terribly obvious, but in the hustle and bustle of playing hostess--or host---these often simple things can be forgotten---then joyfully re-discovered! 

For example:

---NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF CHIPS AND DIPS!  And in particular, that classic LIPTON ONION SOUP DIP! (Get that recipe here.)  Your editor and the elves also  relied on many of the dip recipes found here at holiday get-togethers.

---YES IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO A SMASHING CHARCUTERIE BOARD EVEN ON A BUDGET.  

You start by being willing to make thoughtful and well-researched (by those you've learned to trust!) substitutions.  (And sad to say with supply chain issues the norm in 2021, we all had to become adept at this sooner or later!)

Your editor and the elves relied on many of the tips and links found here and here with great success.  And all our charcuterie boards were lauded far and wide, lol!

---MAKE SURE TO SHARE WHEN YOU FIND GOOD PRODUCTS AND WHERE!

In no particular order: here's some of our favorites we re-discovered this holiday season:

1) THE KITCHEN SHOP AT CROTON SHOPRITE--more than once, this aisle pulled us out of a tight spot!

2) GOYA OLIVES WITH PIMENTOS; so good and so reasonably priced; available just about everywhere.

3) HORMELL PRE-SLICED PEPPERONI; yes this seems like sacrilege but if you can't get your favorite brand, imported or domestic--for whatever reason---this is a surprisingly tasty and economical alternative.  A time-saver too.

4) BUBBIE'S KOSHER DILL PICKLES AT SUPER FOODTOWN! SOOOOO GOOOOD AND SO BRONX, LOWER EAST SIDE AUTHEHTIC; MORE HERE

5) PAPERBIRD COCKTAIL NAPKINS; this is an in-house Shoprite---"economical"---brand and to be honest, was not our first choice.  But our regular brand was nowhere to be found and we took the chance.  So glad we did.  Quite high quality and no one noticed the difference. 

And finally, we re-iterated our commitment to shop locally whenever possible, to live fearlessly despite the frightened folks often around us, and to enjoy those special moments with friends and family.

Looking forward to more adventures in the 2022 season of EVERYTHING CROTON'S ALL THINGS COOKERY, KITCHEN & TABLE.

(SEE #41 HERE)

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