MAKES 24 CRACKERS
I love the concept of taking cheap ingredients you have in the house and turning them into fancy hors d’oeuvres. You could bring the price tag of this mousse down further by eliminating the mascarpone, but it’s so delicious, I suggest you eat any extra by the spoonful. Or in the summer, smear mascarpone on toast and top with a slice of garden-fresh tomato. OMG!
8 ounces goat cheese
4 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese
One 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 cloves roasted garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped chives, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in food processor, except chives, and mix until smooth, about one minute. Chill for 4 hours. Stir and add to pastry bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe onto crackers or bruschetta. Garnish with chopped chives and serve.
CLINTON’S
THERAPY COUCH
Q “Our home has a strict no-shoes policy. Is it rude to enforce this rule when I entertain?”
A Oh, no one wants dog poop or chewing gum tracked into their home, but if you’re completely neurotic about stuff like that, you probably shouldn’t be hosting parties chez vous. A good hostess makes her guests feel as comfortable in her home as in their own. Some people don’t want to walk around your house without footwear! I mean, how do I know your carpets are cleaner than my socks? And what if my big toe just punched a gaping hole through said sock? This is really stressing me out! Be a good girl and roll up the hand-knotted silk rug if you can’t bear the thought of soles touching it. Or just do what I do when my guests leave: search the house with a black light, wearing a tool belt stocked with cleaning supplies.