“You’ve invited the Van Helsings to stay with us this weekend? How do you expect me to pull this together with the way our schedules are this week? Have you lost your mind?”

Since one of my real lives is that of a caterer, I wouldn’t normally tell you this but I have the perfect solution for the tragic couple.

If you’re reading this blog you already know how to get to the Dean & DeLuca website, but let me guide you to my favorite items that are a mere UPS delivery away.

Okay. You get to the house with minutes to spare. It’s important that the best but simplest to prepare be served first this evening. By the time your guests arrive you have the Terrabianca Italian Antipasti (grilled eggplant, cipollini onions, marinated artichokes and Taggiasca olives) in bowls, served with focaccia and of course Negroni cocktails!

Since you’re still unwinding from your week, I think the Rack of Lamb Meal is the way to go for dinner. Rack of lamb, garlic mashed potatoes and braised artichokes – delish or what? Enjoy your antipasti and cocktails while your dinner is in the oven.

What to drink with dinner? Dean & DeLuca has put together a Pinot Noir Tour that features distinctly different personalities of wine that will allow you to conduct your own wine tasting while you dine. Hey, you’re not driving so take this opportunity to enjoy it!

No worries for breakfast the next morning. A platter of Daniel Boulud Salmon, Smoked Sturgeon and Smoked Sable. All you’ll need is some lovely dark bread or bagels and cream cheese. Don’t forget the Counter Culture Coffee!

This should help to get you to a good survival point where you can catch up and enjoy your weekend. Take my advice and go out for lunch on Saturday!

A great start to your Saturday dinner are the Southwestern Hors d’oeuvres, paired with my “maggie”ritas and the best guacamole recipe.

Get the freshest veggies from your local farmer’s market, if you’re not near a Dean & DeLuca. For the best beef you’ll ever have, heat the grill and throw on your favorite cut from the Brandt selection. Since you’re cooking for the Van Helsings, I think you’d better go for the strips. Consider making a crumbled blue cheese and balsamic sauce for the steaks.

A very selectively-allocated and precious wine, the Antiqvs Pisoni Vineyard Syrah is available through the website at a special price right now. This wine will fully stand up to the task of these flavors.

You will look like the most organized, efficient and talented hosts ever. Your only problem – you may never get rid of the Van Helsings.

“Maggie”ritas
I can’t take any credit because it is the authentic method:
-Equal parts of really good tequila, fresh lime juice and Cointreau (unless you can get your hands on an orange liqueur from Mexico)
-Shake!

Guacamole
-2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and smashed (not pureed, leave small chunks)
-1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
-1 serrano chile, seeds removed, very finely diced
-1 lime, zest finely grated or microplaned and juice
-2 T. red onion, finely chopped
-Salt and pepper to taste
Serves 4

Negroni Cocktails
-Equal parts of a good gin such as No. 209, sweet vermouth and Campari
-Shake and serve with a lemon twist and orange slice