Recipes for impromptu entertaining

With the following ingredients and concoctions waiting in the wings, you’ll always be ready to entertain in a delicious “home-made” way. And, it’s no problem if no one shows up, because each one of these recipes is designed to fit happily into your life, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time! Additional head-note information for all of the following recipes can be found in 'The I Love to Cook Book' and 'Lauren Groveman's Kitchen, Nurturing Food for Family & Friends.'

Smoked Salmon and Scallion Spread
Yield: about 2 cups

Ingredients

• 12 ounces whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 rounded tablespoons sour cream (optional)
• 1/3 to 1/2 pound sliced smoked salmon, minced
• 1/2 cup packed minced scallions (green onions), trimmed white part and 1 1/2 to 2 inches of the tender green
• 1/2 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Suggested Accompaniments

• Sesame Bread Sticks
• Garlic Pita Toasts or Pita Chips
• Homemade Bagels or Bagel Chips
• Crusty Deli Rye Bread
• Assorted raw vegetables (crudités)

Combine cream cheese with sour cream in a medium-sized mixing bowl until well combined. Add remaining ingredients, except accompaniments, and fold together well. Spoon mixture into a serving bowl or a decorative crock and cover well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve as a spread on any one of the suggested accompaniments. Store leftovers in the refrigerator well covered for up to 4 days.

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