Entertaining on a budget with Martha Stewart Radio today!

I will be on Martha Stewart Radio this afternoon giving tips on how to inspire and entertain this holiday season on a budget.

My holiday gift this year will be a cheese selection from Artisanal. Cheese makes a great hostess gift and is a fun way to revisit fondue parties. I suggest serving a full cheese course instead of your traditional salad or soup. You can log on to Artisanal Cheese Company to see their Cheese Clock, a guide to serving cheese. I partner them with macerated fruits, which are easy to cook and smell amazing. Macerated desserts are simply fruit steeped in a flavored sugar syrup, wine, liquor, vinegar or citrus juice, usually for a couple of hours or overnight. During the process, the fruit becomes slightly softer, its flavor infused with spices, juices or wine.

Here are the recipes:

Curry’d Quince:

2 Quince
2 Cups White Wine (ny Dry White)
2 Tsp. Madras Curry Powder
2 Tsp. Honey
5-6 Pods Cardamom
3-4 Whole Clove
1/4 Tsp. Ginger
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
A Pinch of Salt
Lime Zest

Procedure:
- Peel and core the quince (Cut in half if you wish).
- Mix all the ingredients, except the quince, in a deep pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the quince to the mixture and bring the stove to a low flame.
- Cover the pot with Parchment Paper with a small hole in the middle.
- Cook the quince until soft and impressionble to the touch.
- Remove the quince and reduce the mixture further.

To Serve:
Slice the quince and drizzle with the reduced mixture.

Cheese Pairing:
Affidelice

Spicy Delicious:

2 Delicious Golden Apples
2 Cups Apple Juice
2 Cups Calvados
1/2 Tsp. Cayenne Peppers
2 Tsp. Pink Peppercorn
2 Tbsp. Honey
1/4 Tsp. Tabasco
1/4 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
3-4 Sprigs of Mint Leaf
A Pinch of Salt

Procedure:
- Peel and core the apples (Cut in half if you wish).
- Mix all the ingredients, except the apples, in a deep pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the apples to the mixture and bring the stove to a low flame.
- Cover the pot with Parchment Paper with a small hole in the middle.
- Cook the apples until soft and impressionble to the touch.
- Remove the apples and reduce the mixture further.

To Serve:
Slice the apples and drizzle with the reduced mixture.

Cheese Pairing:
Hoch y Brig

Chocolate Comice Pear:

2 Comice Pears
2 Cups Port Wine
2 Cups Red Wine
1/2 Cup Goji Juice
1/2 Tsp. Chinese 5 Spice Powder
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tsp. Coriander Seeds
1 Tsp. Chocolate Powder

Procedure:
- Peel and core the pears (Cut in half if you wish).
- Mix all the ingredients, except the pears, in a deep pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the pears to the mixture and bring the stove to a low flame.
- Cover the pot with Parchment Paper with a small hole in the middle.
- Cook the pears until soft and impressionable to the touch.
- Remove the pears and reduce the mixture further.

To Serve:
Slice the pears and drizzle with the reduced mixture.

Cheese Pairing:
Barley Buzzed

Balsamic Red Plum:

4 Red Plums
2 Cups Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Red Onion
1/2 Cup Whiskey

Procedure:
- Cut each plum in two and remove pit.
- Mix all the ingredients, except the plums, in a deep pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the plums to the mixture and bring the stove to a low flame.
- Cover the pot with Parchment Paper with a small hole in the middle.
- Cook the plums until soft and impressionable to the touch.
- Remove the plums and reduce the mixture further.

To Serve:
Slice the plums and drizzle with the reduced mixture.

Cheese Pairing:
Rouge River Bleu Cheese

The smell of these fruits creates an enticing aroma in your home, but you can also achieve a holiday smell with a candle such as Pine and Germanium from Kmart, Christian Tortu's Forest Candle, or Bath and Body Works' Winter Candle. I believe the key to a great party is to properly engage the senses, starting with your sense of smell.

Music for the holidays is key. I have a variety of favorites that make any party great. Some of my favorites are Andrea Bocelli and Jim Brickman.

Here are my suggestions for a holiday play list:

Carol of the Bells - George Winston
Shades of White - Jim Brickman
Linus & Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Beegie Adair
Christmas - Sarajevo 12/24 (Instrumental)
Christmas Waltz - Oscar Peterson
The Nutcracker, Op. 71 Overture - Orchestra of the Kirov Opera
The Nutcracker, Op. 71 No. 2 March - Orchestra of the Kirov Opera
Joy - George Winston
White Christmas - John Tesh
Winter's Twilight - Michael Gettel
And Winter Came - Enya
Peace - Norah Jones
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Kenny G
Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Thankful - Josh Groban
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Sarah McLachlan
The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
River - Sarah McLachlan
Silent Night - Il Divo
Christmas in the City - Marvin Gaye
White Christmas (1947 Single) - Bing Crosby
Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Buble
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Diana Krall
A Joyous Song - Boyz II Men
This Time of Year - Ray Charles
Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald
Baby It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
My Favorite Things - Outkast

Listen in and let me know what you think!