Blog Posts by Heather W. at Better Homes and Gardens

On May 13, President Obama will dine at the St. Regis in New York at a swanky, $15,000-a-plate Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser. According to GrubStreet.com, French Culinary Institute deans Alain Sailhac, André Soltner, Jacques Pépin, and legendary chocolatier Jacques Torres will prepare the meal. Below you'll find the rarefied menu along with delicious BHG.com recipes you can make tonight on a less, well, presidential scale:

Appetizer: Chilled Maine lobster with avocado and black radish in yuzu dressing

Our Lobster Tails with Chive Butter recipe is slightly less exotic but no less indulgent -- and can be prepared in under 30 minutes!


Main Course: Roasted filet mignon with truffle gift box potato

BHG.com's Filet Mignon recipe comes with a simple, savory portobello mushroom sauce.


And, OK, you might not be up for re-creating a "truffle gift box potato" but who can resist potatoes au gratin? This classic side gets a lift with fresh thyme: Thyme Potatoes au Gratin

Mother's Day is a day of appreciation, a day of rest and respite for those who run households, boardrooms, PTA meetings, and half-marathons. Also, it's very often a day of guilt for grown children who haven't bought a decent gift, made a brunch reservation, purchased a sentimental card, or called in a flower delivery in time. Not to worry -- at BHG.com, we've assembled a list of Mother's Day Brunch suggestions so you can treat any mom like a queen for a day -- at least in the culinary sense.

The "Type A" Mom
The Type A Mom has a difficult time abdicating her kitchen. If you do attempt to cook for her, it may be physically impossible for her not to surreptitiously season, adjust the oven temperature, and silently disapprove over your choice of spatula. In order to gently thwart her efforts, it's best to plan ahead. Choose a classic brunch or lunch meal you can whip up the day prior, such as this Make-Ahead Chicken Waldorf Salad. Arrive mid-morning on Sunday with it on hand, as well as

For many brides-to-be, the wedding cake is one of the major stars of the show -- it's up there with the dress, the flowers, and the tear-inducing vows. But with tighter budgets, more and more industrious brides (and grooms!) are applying a DIY philosophy to their wedding cakes. The benefits of baking-it-yourself are manifold: You save money, it's personalized, you can make elements of your cake ahead of time, and perfect your methods via tasty test-runs.

So, if wedding bells are in your future, get inspired and get baking with these clever and creative do-it-yourself wedding cake ideas from BHG.com and MixingBowl.com!

Recently I was at an Italian restaurant and overheard what was clearly an internet date in progress. The woman was pretty and casually attired (clearly not getting her hopes up) while the man was perhaps overly dressy and -- sad to say -- unequivocally obnoxious. He talked non-stop about being a "hard-partying sort of guy", his ex-girlfriend's yoga expertise, and his roommate's poor hygiene (something about a clogged shower drain). The poor girl couldn't get a word in, and what's worse, was trapped through the dessert course. If only they'd picked a venue with a better exit strategy.

If Internet dating is like romance roulette, the odds are that eventually you'll find yourself in the company of Mr. or Mrs. Not Right At All. So, to insure yourself against a never-ending nightmare date, consider setting up your rendezvous at one of the following establishments:

Hotel Lobby Bar

PRO: Perfect for a quick drink, hotel bars offer top notch service, comfortable seating, and usually some

Whenever there's a cocktail party in my future, I always ask my husband, "Do you think there will be food?" And he always answers, "I hope so." Not to sound like an utter freeloader, but certain obligatory occasions -- engagement parties, post-work events, openings of obscure art galleries -- go down a bit easier with savory bites. Yet all too often we're faced with the same old standbys: the cheese cubes, the veggie platter, the frozen mushroom turnovers. At BHG.com, we're all about expanding your culinary horizons, and in this spirit, we suggest retiring the following 8 appetizers (send them off to the Hors d'Oeuvre Hall of Fame, if you will) and let a new generation of party snacks take the spotlight.

Here's a list of tried-and-true but perhaps a bit tired apps - and suggestions for new mouth-watering party bites that you can whip up for your next soiree. Do you have any favorite apps you can't let go of? Or any fresh ideas? Share with us!

Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
Yes, it's

As more restaurants shift to comfort-food-centric, recession-friendly concepts, a sense of formality seems to be slipping away. Which makes perfect sense -- who needs pearl-handled oyster forks and table-side flambé when the menu features meat loaf and mac 'n' cheese? However, no matter how laid-back the experience, there are certain things you just shouldn't do when you dine out. Here are our top 7 dining out pet peeves, inspired by the seven deadly sins. What are yours?

For restaurant-style dining in the comfort of your own home, try BHG.com's Easy Chicken Recipes, 30-Minute Beef Recipes, and Quick & Easy Pasta Dishes.

GLUTTONY
More, More, More. An overzealous orderer can turn a friendly dinner into a silent battleground. Nothing grates like covering the costs of Mr. Surf-and-Turf, especially if the rest of the group is on a budget. If you feel the urge to order the market-price lobster and '66 Lafite, go for it, but it's common courtesy to offer to contribute a bit more (or chip

When I was growing up, Easter Sunday meant church, brunch, and egg hunt -- in that order. One year, the Easter Bunny -- perhaps after one carrot juice too many -- hid one of his festively dyed hard-boiled eggs behind the living room drapes and promptly forgot about it. It stayed there for months, until an odd smell (and an alert housekeeper) revealed the culprit.

After that, the family reverted to plastic eggs, but Easter brunch is still a big tradition. Here, we'll reveal how to make your Sunday spread stress-free with 10 easy and delicious Easter dinner and brunch side dishes from BHG.com.

For even more Easter inspiration, check out BHG.com's Best Easter Menus, Dazzling Easter Brunch Recipes, and Fun and Sweet Easter Treats.

In case you hadn't noticed the buzz around every water cooler (and sports bar) it's March Madness time again. In honor of the NCAA college basketball tournament and all its dramatic upsets, last-second 3-pointers, and befuddling mascots (Let's Go Gaels! Bring it, Mountaineers!), BHG.com has selected a dish inspired by each Sweet Sixteen School still fighting for a spot in the Final Four. Any favorites we missed? Share with us in the comments!