on hostessing with the mostessing.

The title of this just sounded fun.  Making sense is optional.

One of my favorite things about blogging are finding good, practical things.  Since I like to over-share things that I do which are successful, here are a few wins I've encountered in the hostessing arena:

• BAKE the bacon.

Y'all.  I've heard about baking your bacon in the oven but I always thought it wouldn't be as good, as tasty, etc.  Well, I baked bacon for the first time and it was INCREDIBLE.  (Don't think that baking it makes it healthy.  It's bacon, folks.  Grease is still there.)  Baking bacon resulted in flat, crispy pieces of bacon and the easiest clean-up ever.

To bake, cover your lipped-cookie sheet well with foil, put on the bacon, bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes (I flipped them over at minute 15 for giggles), take it out and put it on paper towels, and serve.  A while later after the grease has cooled, roll up the foil and toss it, then put away your clean cookie sheet.

• DIY pita chips

Whenever I serve hummus or a spread I always "make" my "own" pita chips instead of buying a bag.  I buy whole pitas (whole-wheat), cut them in half then triangles/shapes, put on a LIGHT coat of olive oil (I drizzle my {clean} hands with a little olive oil then rub them over the pitas), sprinkle on some kosher salt, and place the pita pieces on a lined cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 5-10 minutes.

• Citrus in water

In water pitchers, some sliced citrus goes a long way on upping the pretty level.