Robyn Moreno on Today Show
To view clip, click HERE
You thought you were content watching the ball drop with your hubby, but the phone won’t stop ringing from friends who want to party.
Here are some easy ways to host a festive fete in a flash!
1. When it comes to hosting a last minute party, a Practically Posh babe knows your appetizers should be sassy on the table, but simple to prepare because the host should be be the first and last person the guest sees.
* Keep the food simple so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all night.
2. Have enough food on hand.. Don’t you hate parties where the guest puts out three carrots and a half-eaten container of hummus?
* I recommend serving five types of food, so everyone (from omnivores to vegans to gluten intolerant) are satiated.
a One protein appetizer, like quiche or pigs in a blanket
b One medium appetizer, like bruschetta or pan tomate
c. One small appetizer, like white bean dip
d One cheese option, like portable caprese
f One bowl item, like olives
3. Turn your guests on to something new!
Instead of serving bruschetta, why not dish up “Pan Tomate?” This Spanish version is easy to make and super memorable.
“Pan tomate”
INGREDIENTS
• 2 thick slices of rustic bread
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 large beefsteak tomato
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
Toast or grill bread. Slice off the end of the garlic clove and rub the exposed side over each slice of toast.
Slice tomato in half, and rub thoroughly, flesh side down, over the bread, one half-tomato to each slice of bread.
Drizzle the tomato bread with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt
Can top with jamón de serrano (or prosciutto di Parma if that’s easier to find).
4. Spread the grub around (especially bowl items) to avoid congestion at the food table, and to make the party look bigger with clusters of groups throughout.
Warm spiced olives
Robyn Moreno
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups mixed olives
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 long strips of lemon zest
• Extra-virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place olives on a long (about 18-inch) length of aluminum foil. Toss with the bay leaf and other spices. Add the lemon zests and drizzle with olive oil.
Wrap the foil around olives and seal seams.
Warm in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve while still warm.
5. Staggering food throughout the night buys you valuable prep time at the beginning of the evening and helps the party “escalate.”
Posh pigs in a blanket
Robyn Moreno
This app is a total crowd favorite. For a fancier New Year’s version, use kosher cocktail franks (or even chicken sausage or veggie sausage) wrapped in phyllo dough and accompanied with chutney or a yummy homemade dipping sauce of tamari, honey, apricot preserves, mustard and sesame seeds.
INGREDIENTS
For the pigs in a blanket
• 1 package of “sausage of choice”: chicken, sweet Italian or veggie, or get a can of kosher cocktail franks
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch fresh-ground black pepper
• 1 sheet puff pastry, rolled out to a 15-by-15-inch square and covered with a damp towel
• 1 large egg
For the apricot mustard dip
• 6 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon tamari
• 1 pinch of sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup apricot jam
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the sausage into 1/2-inch slices (or use individual cocktail franks). Brush a sheet of thawed frozen puff pastry with a beaten egg and cut circles (same number as 1/2-inch sausage pieces) of pastry using a 1 1/4-inch fluted cutter.
Skewer each stack with a toothpick and place on a baking sheet. Bake in a 400-degree oven until pastry is golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
Serve with apricot mustard dip: Stir together the 6 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon tamari, 1 pinch of sesame seeds and 1/4 cup apricot jam.
6. Save your quiches for late in the evening, for a “Midnight brunch” Ringing in the New Year with mimosas and make-ahead quiches is both homey and haute!
7. Serve only Sparkling. Who has time to cut up limes and restock mixers in the middle of a party? Serve only sparkling wine, which is super, festive and affordable. (Feel free to put out some berries, OJ, or cranberry juice) so people can adorn if they like.
Prosecco is FLYING off the shelves because most champagne is quite expensive.
- Hi Prosecco is Wine-Spectator rated and available nationwide. $15. check hiprosecco.com for availability.
- Cava is Spain’s version of Prosecco, and Montsarra Cava was named by Wine Enthusiast as the #1 Cava two years in a row. $14, sold nationally wherever wine is sold.
- For a splurge, the Wolffer Blanc de Blanc from Long Island is gorgeous with food or without. Perfect to pop for the toast! $30, sold nationally wherever wine is sold.
I am headed to Long Island to yoga school this weekend, BUT if I was in the city I would be ALL over this Manhattan Vintage Show!
My sign today at 
I have kept this photo on my desktop since I interviewed photograher Klaus Lucka on Plum TV almost two summer ago.
If you are a crazy shopper like me, then rejoice as there are sooo many awesome deals to be found RIGHT NOW on everything from treadmills to TV’s.
Hola amigos!
Hola mi gente! (don’t ask, I just like saying that)