Connect with us

Lifestyle

Fall hosting tips: Half Baked Harvest shares advice for throwing a dinner party, best gift to bring a host

Source image: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/fall-hosting-tips-half-baked-harvest-shares-tips-hosting-dinner-party-best-gift-bring-host

The 2023 fall season is nearly here — and many people are looking for the best tips and tricks for hosting friends and family as they plan gatherings this year. 

Fox News Digital spoke with bestselling author and popular chef Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest about the fall, including her best tips for hosting a gathering. 

The uber-popular chef has over 5.3 million Instagram followers and is known for sharing her best recipes and kitchen tips and tricks with others.

HOME CHEF ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA STAR, COOKBOOK AUTHOR HALF BAKED HARVEST

Her first tip when hosting this season is simple: Don’t stress.

“Don’t try to create a menu that is so intensive or anything like that — take help from the store,” said the Colorado-based Gerard.

Half Baked Harvest hosting tips

Bestselling author and popular chef Tieghan Gerard, who is based in Colorado, shared her hosting tips for fall 2023 with Fox News Digital.  (Kristen Kilpatrick/Home Chef)

Gerard said buying pre-cut or pre-made food from the store to help ease a bit of the hosting load is totally acceptable. 

She recommended prepping recipes ahead of time if they require lots of effort — but don’t pick difficult recipes if you don’t have to, she said.

REVEALED! HOTEL CHEFS FROM ACROSS US SHARE EXPERT FOODIE ADVICE FOR AT-HOME ENTERTAINING

“Don’t pick recipes that you have to be sitting there, frying on the stove — choose thing that are simple to create,” she said. 

Gerard hosting tips

Gerard said to keep things simple when hosting friends and family for a festive fall event. “Really just simplify the process of everything,” she said. (iStock)

Gerard also recommended just that: Picking simple dishes that don’t require lots of time making. 

She said a simple appetizer or a simple cocktail — even just setting out a bottle of everyone’s favorite wine — can be enough. 

“Really just simplify the process of everything,” she recommended. 

CELEBRITY CHEF SHARES HOSTING TIPS, TRICKS FOR GAME DAY

From her experience with hosting and cooking for her family of 10, she recommends not doing an extravagant, multiple-course dinner. 

“Light the candles, light the fire — make it warm, cozy, welcoming and inviting.”

“Here’s your salad; here’s your main dish; here’s your dessert,” she said. 

Half Baked Harvest fall hosting tips

Tieghan Gerard, the face of Half Baked Harvest, said that when picking your fall menu, don’t go for “an extravagant, multiple-course dinner.”  (iStock)

She also said that not making a dessert is totally acceptable — noting that buying a cake from your favorite bakery or cookies from your favorite shop is fine. 

“I think the most important thing about entertaining is when your guests are experiencing your dinner, and they feel welcomed,” she said. 

PUMPKIN PREPARATION TIPS — ‘SO SMART!’ — FOR HALLOWEEN AND THE FALL SEASON

She loves when her guests feel relaxed and invited into her home, she said — not as if they can’t touch the tablescape or need to be on their best behavior at all times. 

“Light the candles, light the fire — make it warm, cozy, welcoming and inviting,” she said. 

Host gifts

A great fall candle can be the perfect gift for the host, noted Gerard of Half Baked Harvest. (iStock)

When it comes to gifts for the host, Gerard said you can never go wrong with a candle. 

“I think that candles can make your environment feel so welcoming and inviting — and people don’t realize that you can really create this environment of warm and cozy with a single scent,” she said. 

HOW TO THROW YOUR OWN WINE TASTING PARTY

Gerard also recommended bringing flowers — she said they’re underrated as a host gift. 

Hosting tips from Half Baked Harvest

Gerard, shown here, said hosting a dinner party shouldn’t be stressful. Her main tip to others is not to stress — and to welcome and enjoy guests.  (Kristen Kilpatrick/Home Chef)

Overall, however, she said to bring whatever the host would most likely use and appreciate — saying nobody “really wants a knickknack.”

“If they love to make cocktails, find them really pretty cocktail glasses,” she said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

“Find beautiful things that maybe they wouldn’t to get for themselves, but they can really enjoy in their life.” 

Hosting tips half baked harvest

Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard shared her top tips for hosting a gathering this fall season — including what to bring to the host. (iStock/Kristen Kilpatrick/Home Chef)

Gerard recently announced a collaboration with Home Chef, which will feature seven of her most popular dishes from her food blog, “Half Baked Harvest.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Gerard told Fox News Digital she was excited to bring her recipes into more homes around the country and noted the partnership was a long time coming. 

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/fall-hosting-tips-half-baked-harvest-shares-tips-hosting-dinner-party-best-gift-bring-host

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Sunday brunch frittata featuring garden-fresh vegetables: Try it this weekend for family and friends

For many American families, the arrival of Sunday is the time to slow down a bit, attend church services, catch a sporting event, work around the house or visit with family and friends. 

Another quintessential part of the day for millions of people is enjoying Sunday brunch

If you’re looking to create a budget-friendly Sunday brunch dish with a bit of flair for your family and friends, a chef based in Philadelphia shared his choice pick that you can make at home. 

THE ABSOLUTE BEST BREAKFOOD FOODS TO GET YOUR DAY GOING

Use this shopping list and step-by-step guidance to whip up a tasty homemade Sunday brunch dish without much fuss or muss.

Let’s dig right in!

‘Everything but the Kitchen Sink’ Frittata by Thomas Harkins of Bank & Bourbon, Loews Philadelphia Hotel

If you have leftovers you’re looking to repurpose, this Sunday egg-based dish could be a winner. 

Thomas Harkins, executive chef, Bank & Bourbon — located in the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia — recommended making his “Everything but the Kitchen Sink Frittata.” 

eggs cracked into bowl

You’ll need 12 whole large eggs for this Sunday brunch recipe from Thomas Harkins. To start, whip the eggs in a bowl and set them aside.  (iStock)

He told Fox News Digital that he loves making this on Sundays using leftovers from the night before — and anything from his garden that he has on hand at the time.

Ingredients

12 whole large eggs

2 tablespoons butter

Corn shucked

Tomatoes, medium-diced

BREAKFAST FOOD QUIZ! TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE POPULAR AND DELICIOUS DISHES

Green beans chopped

Green bell peppers medium-diced

¼ cup salsa, store-bought

Leftover protein, usually steak or chicken or salmon, medium-diced

¼ cup cheese (the chef usually has goat cheese or cheddar cheese on hand)

Different kinds of peppers

This Sunday brunch recipe calls for green bell peppers — as well as other healthy vegetables and ingredients.  (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Directions

In a 10-inch nonstick pan on medium flame, add butter until it melts and coat the pan.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Whip eggs in bowl and set aside.

Add all of the vegetables and the pick of proteins that you have on hand and want to use.

Cook until hot on the stovetop all the way through. 

Add beaten eggs. 

Stir in with mixture to incorporate. 

chef Thomas Harkins

Thomas Harkins is executive chef of Bank & Bourbon at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The historic hotel is across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and located in the heart of Center City, within walking distance of the Reading Terminal Market, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Barnes Foundation, among other popular attractions.  (Loews Philadelphia Hotel)

Place in oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until eggs set. 

Add cheese on top and melt. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Take out and gently place a 12-inch plate on top and invert it to get the frittata on the plate. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Top with your favorite salsa — and cut into 8 pie-shape pieces. 

Enjoy!

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Underage drinking dangers: These are the states with the highest rates of teen alcohol use, study finds

A new study done by addiction recovery resource Addiction Treatment Magazine has revealed the states that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking.

Researchers looked at the number of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 who had consumed an alcoholic drink within the last month and had participated in binge-drinking, which is classified as consuming four or more drinks in one sitting, according to a press release on the publication’s website.

The data was drawn from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based on the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

DRINKING ALCOHOL WEEKLY COULD BE CONNECTED TO 61 DIFFERENT DISEASES, STUDY FINDS

The study determined that the state of Vermont has the highest prevalence of drinkers between the ages of 12 and 20 in the U.S., according to the release.

Nearly 25% of minors in the state had consumed alcohol, and more than 14% had participated in binge-drinking. 

Teens drinking

A new study has revealed the states in the nation that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking. (iStock)

Other states with high rates include Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  

In Rhode Island, nearly 22% of young people between the ages 12 and 20 consume alcohol monthly, and 12% of minors consume four or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting, the study found.

In New Hampshire, 20.6% of people between the ages 12 and 20 had consumed alcohol in the last month. 

The share was 20.4% for Massachusetts. 

TEENAGE BINGE-DRINKING: WHY IT’S SO DANGEROUS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO OVERINDULGE IN ALCOHOL

Rounding out the top 10 are the states of Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maine and North Dakota.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi has the lowest prevalence of underage drinking, with only 9.7% of underage people consuming alcohol. 

It also has the lowest binge-drinking rate, at only 5.4%, according to the study. 

College drinking

One possible reason that Vermont has topped the list is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state — said a clinical director of addiction services.  (iStock)

Utah is the second-lowest, at 11% for alcohol consumption and 6.8% for binge-drinking among the underage population. 

Coming in at third lowest is North Carolina, where 11.3% of underage people consumed alcohol in the last month.

Alabama is also on the lower end at 12%, followed by Arkansas at 12.3%.

DRINKING A LITTLE ALCOHOL EVERY DAY WON’T HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, SAYS NEW STUDY

Rounding out the lower 10 are Indiana, Georgia, Idaho, Tennessee and Texas. 

“It’s no secret that underage drinking is a major concern in the United States, as it can pose several significant risks to the well-being of young people, including health risks, impaired judgment and the risk of dependency and addiction,” said a spokesperson for Addiction Treatment Magazine in the release.

Teens drinking

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, said Tuell of the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio. (iStock)

“These findings provide an intriguing insight into where underage drinking is the most prominent throughout the country, with Vermont coming out on top. While progress has been made in reducing underage drinking rates, it is still a matter of concern, and ongoing efforts are necessary to address this issue and protect the health and safety of young people,” the spokesperson continued.

Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio, was not involved in the study, but said he wasn’t surprised by the findings.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking.”

“The Northeast has had a history of higher rates of underage drinking for the past 20 years,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview. “There continues to be no definitive reason why these rates are the way they are.”

One possible reason for Vermont’s topping the list, he said, is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state.

young people drinking beer outside

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” warned Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio.  (iStock)

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, Tuell said.

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” he warned. 

“Early alcohol use — drinking at age 14 or earlier — [means a] 7 times greater risk for developing an alcohol problem than someone who begins drinking at age 21.” 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Other possible reasons for the high rates in some states may be related to how the packaging of alcohol is geared toward youth, such as flavored drinks, and the association of alcohol use with sporting events, the expert noted.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“This promotes alcohol use in young people as a necessary part of having fun,” Tuell said.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking,” he also said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Coffee quiz! How much do you know about the can’t-live-without-it drink?

National Coffee Day is September 29 — and millions of people have recognized the special occasion. 

But no matter what day it is or what season of the year, how well do you know the popular drink that many people consume all year long? 

Test your knowledge in this fun and engaging lifestyle quiz all about coffee!

Mobile app users: Click here to play the quiz!

Have you taken our fall quiz yet? Click here to play it!

To take even more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click on this link.

Continue Reading

Trending