Entertaining

Restaurant and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton shares a few theories on dinner parties

Between all the shopping, baking, parties, wrapping, decorating, and travel, most of us would put "more time" as the number one item on our holiday wish lists. So this year, why not kill two turtledoves with one stone by hosting a cookie swap party?

Mix up a batch of cocktails and make a few of these addictive appetizers developed by the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen.

Dear BA Foodist: I love hosting dinner parties, but it seems that everyone has a list of food restrictions--no carbs, gluten-free, no red meat. Should I accommodate my guests?

Here's the problem: Desserts can be a tough sell at social events—or rather casual social events. Sure, birthday cakes get eaten, but in a non-celebratory setting, my guests are sometimes reluctant to go for the frosting.

Hot fun in the summertime...

For Derby Day indulgence or a post-Thanksgiving lunch, this Kentucky favorite can’t be beat.

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Studded with golden raisins and a crown of almonds, this yeasted Alsatian sweet bread is an ideal holiday loaf.

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Glossy, intensely chocolaty, and spiked with coffee and sour cream, this Bundt is the ultimate all-purpose dessert.

Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.

An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.

Elegant and simple to prep ahead, this classic brunch dish gets its savory backbone from sautéed leeks.

Rich and satisfying, this warm winter drink provides unparalleled cozy vibes.

This easy roast duck makes for a lovely holiday centerpiece—it’s also pretty easy to cook.

With a buttery base and any-jam filling, these simple cookies can be customized to your whims.

Need an elegant dinner party dessert? A quick tea cake? A vacation birthday bake? This chocolaty wonder fits every bill.

This flourless chocolate cake is rich and densely chocolaty. It’s just the kind of low-effort, high-reward recipe we love.

This rhubarb cake recipe keeps things simple and scatters thinly sliced fresh rhubarb on top of the cake

This celebration-worthy rack of lamb recipe yields tender, rosy meat and a beautifully browned crust flavored with fresh herbs and garlic.

Malted milk powder adds toasty, caramel-like undertones to this warming winter drink. Splurge on a good vanilla, since its the primary flavoring here.

You don’t need to speak Italian or even turn on the oven to make this dreamy espresso-scented dessert.