(NC)-Whether spreading holiday cheer or hosting weekly game night, the last place the host wants to be is in the kitchen. Instead of worrying about burning the turkey or overcooking the veggies, you want to ensure your guests are having a good time.
"Entertaining does not have to be stressful," says Korey Kealey, food and entertaining specialist, Food Thought Communications. "With the right tools, you can still tend to your guests and enjoy yourself without spending the entire evening over the stove."
Kealey offers the following tips that will make entertaining a breeze:
• Using a Crock-Pot slow cooker to make the main course allows time to primp for the party and entertain guests as they arrive. Cook the turkey for the holidays, make favourites like Honey-Sauced Chicken Wings and dips for the game or whip up kid-friendly meals for birthday parties.
• Decide what you will serve a few days in advance - that way you will have all the necessary ingredients on-hand and can prepare parts of the meal ahead of time.
• Crock-Pot Little Dippers are a handy solution to keep dips at the perfect temperature. Keep your appetizers warm and serve scrumptious starters to guests while the main meal is still cooking.
Honey-Sauced Chicken Wings
3 pounds chicken wings
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1. Preheat broiler. Cut off and discard chicken wing tips. Cut each wing at joint to make two sections. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and on broiler pan. Broil for 20 minutes, turning once or until chicken is brown. Place chicken into slow cooker.
2. For sauce, combine remaining ingredients in bowl. Pour over chicken wings.
3. Cover; cook on Low 4 to 5 hours or on High 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
More entertaining tips and recipes can be found online at www.crock-pot.ca.
Credit: www.newscanada.com