If you are entertaining and pressured for time, buy fresh food. Fresh food simply cooked or prepared can make just as good an impression as a more complicated dinner.

A few excellent examples would be fresh melon wrapped with prosciutto; grilled fresh meat or fish; a bowl of fresh berries topped with freshly whipped cream; or roasted fresh asparagus with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Thanks to Mark Beecham for this week's entertaining tip.

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