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At the same time, bread or rolls could go into the tiny drawer for warming (watched constantly to prevent burning). In the refrigerator I would have prepared cut-up fruit, doused with Kirsch or white wine. Or, just before guests arrived, I would make a good Roquefort dressing and leave it in a bowl on a side table in the living room, next to a wooden bowl of crisped greens. This would be served instead of dessert.
I never let anyone help with dish-washing, so I think few guests realized that it had to be done in the bathtub or washbasin. People seemed to enjoy coming, and I enjoyed the challenge of thinking up dinners I could cope with. Here are a couple of other menus I found successful. I rarely served more than two courses.
-I-
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Garlic Bread
Green Salad Liederkranz Cheese Crackers
Pastry (optional) Coffee
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-II-
Chicken Divan in Individual Casseroles
Green Salad
Strawberries in White Wine
Cookies Coffee
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Chicken Divan
I cooked and drained quick-frozen broccoli, then placed two stalks in the bottom of each casserole. Next I put quick-frozen chicken a la King into the top of a double boiler with a bit of cream and sherry. When hot and completely melted, this was poured over the broccoli, topped with grated cheese, dotted with butter and browned in the oven.
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-Ill-
Veal Paprika Noodles with Poppy Seeds and Almonds Green Peas
Croissantes
Grapefruit flavored with Sherry Coffee
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house guests
Because it seems for some reason less of an imposition to stay with a single friend who has a room or a small apartment, you may find yourself burdened with visitors. One solution is not to have an extra bed, but a better solution is to choose your friends. Most friends write first to say they're coming on for a visit, and they'd like to stay with you. You can politely refuse them. If you do invite them, take the opportunity to be specific about your apartment and your hours. Let them know how you'll have to rely on them to take care of themselves-to get their own breakfast, make the bed and do other small chores.
party for a house guest
When your visitor is someone you're fond of, and you want to do more than put a roof over his head, you'll probably want to give a small party. An evening party is much the simplest kind; it's difficult enough to give a dinner party in a small apartment without a house guest, and cocktail parties are at the wrong time for people who work.
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