Great entertaining doesn’t have to mean an elaborate menu. Start with a few quality ingredients—warm crusty bread, a flavorful olive oil and balsamic, good cheeses, fresh vegetables and seasonal fruit. Serve everything family-style and let the food speak for itself. Simple, beautiful and delicious is often the most memorable.
Wisteria & Tasteful Additions: The Tuscan Table
Gather, taste, and linger a little longer. Tasteful Additions founder Asha Waterstreet shares her favorite ways to create an inviting table, along with three simple recipes inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean.
Entertain with Ease
The most memorable gatherings are often the simplest.
Asha shares three ways to create a table that feels thoughtful, welcoming, and made for lingering.
1. Keep it Simple
2. Bring Tuscany to the Table
Create a relaxed Tuscan-inspired table with natural textures, simple linens, fresh herbs and greenery. Use rosemary or basil in small vessels instead of formal flowers, add warm candlelight, and serve food on beautiful boards and platters. The goal is a table that feels welcoming rather than overly arranged.
3. Make Food Part of the Experience
Create an olive oil and balsamic tasting for your guests. Set out a few different pairings with small dishes and warm artisan bread, then add cheeses, fruit, nuts and olives. Encourage everyone to taste, mix and discover their favorite combinations—it’s an easy appetizer and a fun way to get guests gathered around the table.
Three Recipes to Share
Simple ingredients, beautiful flavors, and recipes designed for gathering. Discover three of Asha’s favorite ways to bring a taste of the Mediterranean to the table.
Mediterranean Citrus Bread Dip
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Tasteful Additions Lemon Olive Oil
- 1–2 teaspoons Tasteful Additions Mediterranean Citrus Herbs
- Freshly grated Parmesan, optional
- Warm, crusty Italian or artisan bread
Directions: Pour the Lemon Olive Oil into a shallow serving dish. Sprinkle generously with Mediterranean Citrus Herbs and, if desired, finish with freshly grated Parmesan.
Allow the herbs and oil to mingle for a few minutes before serving with warm, crusty bread for dipping.
Also Try It: Use the Lemon Olive Oil and Mediterranean Citrus Herbs together as a flavorful marinade or finishing blend for chicken, fish or vegetables before grilling or roasting.
Italian Herb & Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Tasteful Additions Italian Herb Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Tasteful Additions Lemon White Balsamic Vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions: Whisk the Italian Herb Olive Oil and Lemon White Balsamic Vinegar together until well combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh mozzarella, or drizzle over grilled vegetables for a bright, flavorful finish.
Asha’s Tip: Here’s my simple formula for making a vinaigrette with any Tasteful Additions pairing: equal parts olive oil and vinegar, then salt and pepper to taste—that’s it! Mix and match your favorite flavors to create your own combinations.
Tuscan-Inspired Fig Crostini
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- Tasteful Additions Italian Herb Olive Oil
- Soft goat cheese or ricotta
- Tasteful Additions Fig Balsamic Vinegar
- Chopped walnuts, optional
- Sprig of fresh rosemary, optional
Directions: Lightly brush the baguette slices with Italian Herb Olive Oil and toast until golden and crisp. Spread each crostini with soft goat cheese or ricotta, then finish with a drizzle of Fig Balsamic Vinegar. Serve warm as a simple appetizer with wine or cocktails.
Asha’s Tip: Toast the baguette slices ahead of time, then add the cheese and Fig Balsamic just before serving for an easy appetizer that looks beautiful on the table.