Newlyweds can entertain quick and easy

Entertaining is one of the joys for newly married couples. Indeed, the first dinner party a couple hosts often is for the wedding party to view photographs or reminisce about the big day.

However, the idea of entertaining can be daunting, especially for couples who may already have lots of other tasks, both at home and at work. Yet entertaining at home shouldn't be an arduous task.

The whole point of home dining and entertaining is to make it fun — and easy — so you and your friends and family can focus on spending time together, not making a spread worthy of a magazine layout.

The trick is to keep it quick and easy but also tasty and inviting. That is where Martin Yan, the renowned chef, cookbook author and television host of "Yan Can Cook," comes in. His technique is geared almost entirely around ease and elegance.

"When you entertain at home, forget the questions and answers. That's right, no more Q & A," Yan says. "Think Q & E instead — quick and easy. That's the key to entertaining at home in the 21st century."

One of the most important keys to quick and easy entertaining is the right equipment. Yan says that first and foremost, having quality nonstick cookware in the kitchen is a must.

"Nonstick surface is a godsend. You know what they called cooking before this invention? Stuck! Back in those bad old days people could spend 20 minutes just to unstick their food."

One of his favorite pans — indeed, he takes it everywhere — is the Circulon 12-inch stir fry pan. The pan is a favorite for him because, like all Circulon cookware, it features a special "Hi-Low" groove system designed to protect the nonstick coating and release food longer than any nonstick pan with a flat surface. The hard-anodized aluminum pans heat quickly and evenly, and their handles stay cool during stovetop use — a must for quick cooking.

As for equipment, Yan says of his favorite pan, "Now, with this nonstick surface, my food will be sticking to my ribs, and not my pan."

It's easy to entertain if you spend a lot of money and time on buying prepared foods. For Yan, that's a big no-no.

"Here's another easy rule to remember: 20 + 20 equals 4," he says. "That's not some advanced new math. What I mean is, with $20 and 20 minutes, you can entertain a party of four people," elegantly and inexpensively.

In fact, that formula is the basis for his new series, "Martin Yan's Quick & Easy" on PBS that will air starting October 2004. All the recipes and menus for the series are designed for quick and easy home entertaining.

Yan says the only real keys to quick and easy entertaining are planning, imagination and the right equipment. "The key to success is not a magic wand. I wish it were that easy. No, the magic ingredients are planning and imagination.

"Plan the right kind of menu, equip your kitchen with the right tools of the trade, and you will be seeing 20/20 in your kitchen in no time."

Yan says newlywed couples can cook quick and easy at home, for fun, fabulous dining and entertaining experiences. "Follow these simple 20/20 rules, and you will be entertaining 24/7 in no time."

For more information, visit www.circulon.com.

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