Our Best Tips and Tricks for Spring Holiday Hosting

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Hosting a holiday or an event at your house, as fun as it is, is usually pretty stressful. With last minute cancellations, kids going crazy, and family arriving 45 minutes late—or even worse, 45 minutes early—hosting can be a serious challenge. And since both Easter and Passover are just around the corner, I’m sure that many of you are feeling the pressure. But never fear, Fresh City Kitchen is here! 

For our April post, we wanted to dedicate it to the brave hosts of spring holiday festivities everywhere, and provide some much-needed professional advice on how to throw a stress free, totally awesome, and beautiful Easter or Passover event at home. 

Before we get into the details, we’re going to lay out some baseline advice for any holiday event you’re hosting. Some of this might seem like common sense, but they’re things that people can often forget, and they’ll be extra helpful if it’s your first time entertaining.

Prep ahead of time

For things like salads, charcuterie boards, or crudité that require a lot of cutting and arranging, take care of them the day or the night before. As long as you leave the dressing off until the last minute, any salad you make can be totally chopped up, tossed, and in the bowl you want to serve it in and it will stay fresh and crisp in your fridge. If you’re having an egg hunt, make sure you buy the candy and put it in the eggs the night before. These all seem like little things, but when you leave all the little things until the day of, they can add up to one big ball of stress.

Build a schedule

Start with the time you want to eat (whether it be breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or linner), and work backwards. Set times for when things need to go in the oven or on the stove, when you want to set out appetizers and drinks, and even smaller things like when you want to set the table. If you don’t stick perfectly to the plan, that’s OK! Simply having a plan to start off with will make you a million times more prepared for a great gathering!


Delegate! 

Yes, we all want to be the superhost that can decorate, cook, bake, mix up drinks, and entertain all at once. But it’s also important to give yourself time to enjoy your own shindig! Your friends and family will want to help you. If you’re OK with giving out assignments, appetizers and desserts tend to be the easiest thing to hand off to others. If you’re worried about keeping things kosher, it’s OK to ask guests to arrive a little earlier to help with set up instead! 

Plan Kid’s Activities

There’s nothing worse than having screaming kids running through the kitchen as you’re pulling out your chef’s knife and grabbing a burning hot pan out of the oven. To avoid this challenge (or urgent care visit waiting to happen), make sure you have something fun for the kids to do. For those celebrating Easter, set up an egg-dying station outside! This will help you keep the kids’ mayhem contained, as well as the mess of dying eggs, and hopefully give the kids a fun tradition to carry on. Plus, if you hard boil your eggs first, they won’t get broken, and you can pop them in the fridge to peel after everyone goes home. The kids get fun, and you get a nice high-protein snack or salad topper!

Less is More with the Drinks

For Easter meals, a DIY Mimosa & Spritz Bar is a quick way to make your life a lot easier. When you’re already running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get food ready, taking the cocktails off your plate is a big help. You can set up a self-serve drink station with a variety of juices (orange, grapefruit, peach, whatever you prefer) and bubbly options like Prosecco. If you have kids coming or family that prefers not to drink, adding some seltzer to the mix so they can craft their own mocktails includes them in the fun. For a springtime touch (and to make your drinks insta story worthy) add a basket of fresh herbs and edible flowers for your guests to throw in.

Ask About Allergies

This can be as easy as making a group chat and shooting a quick text to all your guests a week or two ahead of time. It’s an easy thing to forget, but it’s a lot easier to accommodate when you know ahead of time, rather than finding out someone’s going vegetarian right as you put the ham or gefilte fish down in front of them.

Going the Extra Mile

And for the serial host, who just read all of those tips and thought, “well DUH,” don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Over at Fresh City Kitchen, we’ve been cooking up some strategies to elevate your holiday without too much of a hassle. To get that WOW! factor without too much work, give these ideas a shot.

★ Grazing Nests ★

Instead of a traditional charcuterie board, arrange meats, cheeses, or fresh fruit in small “nests” using shredded phyllo cups or mini wicker baskets for a festive look.

★ Brunch-Style Deviled Eggs ★

Elevate deviled eggs by incorporating unique and exciting toppings. Try a lox deviled egg with smoked salmon, pickled onion, and capers, or get gourmet with crushed potato chips and truffle oil. If you’re looking for a festive pop of color, mix the yolk filling up with beets filling for a delightfully pink colorful twist. If you’re feeling energetic, make them all to create an egg flight board!

★ Floral Ice Cubes ★

Freeze edible flowers in ice cubes for a beautiful and easy way to elevate drinks. Rose petals, cornflower, and marigold are all edible and can be found for less than $10 online. These would be perfect for lemonade, iced tea, or your DIY spritz bar!

★ Brisket Bites ★

Give a modern twist to an old Passover classic (if you can convince your older family members). Putting a small slice of brisket onto a potato chip gives you the perfect salty, crunchy app that your guests won’t forget. Add chopped chives on top for a fresh flavor and a colorful element.

★ Whipped Butter Board ★

(Yes, we know we’ve suggested this before, but it’s too good to leave out!!) Take the popular butter board trend into spring by whipping butter with honey, citrus zest, and fresh herbs, and spreading it on a nice plate or wooden cutting board. Serve them with warm rolls or matzo crackers and your guests can scoop the butter straight off the board.

And of course, we can’t leave you without a signature FCK recipe. For me, the highlight of my family’s Easter brunch is a family tradition: my Grammy’s coconut cream pie. With only six ingredients, it’s simple, yet creamy and perfectly delicious, and using kosher pudding and crust makes this pie perfect for Passover too!

Grammy Grace's Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate
  • ¾ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 cups of cool whip
  • 1 Graham cracker pie crust (Kosher for Passover crusts are available on Amazon!)
  • 1 ½ cups of cold milk
  • 1 pack of vanilla instant pudding

Instructions

  1. Microwave the chocolate on high for one minute until it’s completely melted. Mix with ¼ cup of coconut flakes and 1 cup of cool whip, then spread at the bottom of the pie crust. Put this in the refrigerator while you make the filling
  2. Mix pudding package and milk together with a whisk. Pour gently onto the crust, then carefully top with the remaining cool whip. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the coconut on top.
  3. Refrigerate for 4 hours, then enjoy!

DIETARY ACCOMODATIONS

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU

Corporate office catering demands a high level of presentation, attention to the smallest details, and accommodation of many diets and allergies in the modern workplace.

If something looks off, the questions come your way. If an allergy is missed, the questions come your way, and if something is missing it’s you that winds up running around to fill that gap. Focusing on the smallest details that might not seem important until they’re overlooked, and that’s why our customers rave about us to their colleagues! We’ve got your back and are here to serve you so that you can focus on what matters most at work.

Often Overlooked & Under Utilized, Soup Season Is Here. At Home & In-Office

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It’s about that time when we’re all getting a little tired of the Boston winter. Sure, the snow is beautiful, but it’s always sludge on the side of the road a few hours after it falls. Tea and hot cocoa are nice, but you can only have so many mini marshmallows before you start missing margaritas and lemonade. The novelty of winter has officially worn off, and Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of 6 more weeks of winter was not well received. In light of the winter weariness hitting a little harder this week over at Fresh City Kitchen, we wanted to offer up the best solution we have for chilly weather: a warm bowl of soup (or at least our favorite recipe for one). 

We know that sometimes soups get a reputation for being plain, but we vehemently disagree, and we’re here to set the record straight. We’ll open your eyes to a whole new world, a whole new fantastic point of view (any Disney fans out there?). Whether it’s bisque, black bean, curry, chili, chowder, egg drop, miso, minestrone, or FCK’s famous lasagna soup, we’re sure that there’s a recipe out there that will rock your world and keep you toasty right down to your New Englander L.L. Bean boots. 

And don’t worry if you’re still not convinced, we aren’t done yet. First of all, soups are generally easy and quick to prepare. There might be some chopping, sauteing, or prep at the outset, but for the most part, a good soup is set it and forget it. Especially if you have a crock pot or a slow cooker, which are essential kitchen tools in the wintaahh! It’s easy to prep your recipe and head out for whatever errands, work, or kid transporting you have on the agenda for the day. 



Soups are also pretty versatile. If you’re missing the corn for your chowder or the carrots for your chicken noodle soup, it’s not going to make or break the recipe. There’s no need to schlep through the snow (or the slush) to grab the one ingredient your partner forgot to get you at the store. We also love that soup can also be a hearty option for our friends with some common dietary restrictions (FCK’s deliciously spiced vegan and gluten-free Lentil Chickpea Stew fits the bill!). Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian soups are all easily done and make for a delicious, filling meal. When planning catering for your Boston office don’t forget to ask about seasonal soups this time of year. We’re serving up New England clam chowder, Fresh City chicken noodle, roasty tomato soup, and a variety of hearty chilis to offices catering lunch across Boston this winter!

Soups are also easily frozen, meaning you can make a big batch on the weekend so you’ll have one ready for whenever you need.



FCK's Soup Storage Hacks

★ Store With Ziplocs ★

 If you’re short on freezer space, leave a pot to cool on your stove for a few hours, then grab a buddy to help you pour it (Carefully! And potentially over your sink to prevent spills) into a Ziploc bag. The flat shape is much easier to fit into a tight space than a big Tupperware.

★ Dining for One ★

 If you’re only cooking for yourself, freeze your dinner in individual microwaveable containers. This way, you can defrost a little bit at a time.

★ Kick it Old School ★

Bring soup to work in a thermos. For only $15 you can grab a big dose of grade school nostalgia from your favorite retailer. It will keep your food warm all day, and it’ll last years!!

So if you’re still not convinced after all of that, we wanted to share a closely guarded FCK family recipe that was one of my favorite meals growing up.

Aunt Jill's White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

  •  3 Chicken breasts 
  • 2 Cans white beans (drained and rinsed) 
  • 1 Can of black beans (drained and rinsed) 
  • 32 oz chicken broth 
  • 1 Jar of your favorite salsa 
  • 2 Tbsp cumin 
  • 2 Cloves garlic (minced) 
  • Optional: White onions
  • Optional: Hot chiles 

Veggies: 

  • Zucchini 
  • Seasonal squash 
  • Bell peppers 

Toppings: 

  • Avocado 
  • Grated cheddar cheese 
  • Sour cream 
  • Cilantro 
  • Scallions 
  • Fritos (yup, Fritos!)

Instructions:

Put chicken broth, garlic, and cumin into a pot or slow cooker. Simmer the chicken until tender, then pull it out and shred it. This can be done eaily by mixing it with a paddle in a stand mixer, or simply by pulling it apart with a fork in each hand. Add the rest of the ingredients into the put and simmer until tender. Put the chicken back in, and you’re all done!

This delectable soup walks the line between a classic chili and chicken soup, made with chicken stock instead of tomatoes. We love it for its versatility: it’s a go-to whenever we need to clean out the cabinets. The chicken breasts, broth, cumin, and garlic are a must, but everything else is fairly interchangeable. The beans and veggies can all be swapped with whatever kind you happen to have slowly turning mushy in your fridge drawers or gathering dust at the back of your pantry shelf. Our favorites are usually zucchini and squash, but chopped bell peppers, spinach, kale, carrots, or potatoes would also taste great.

Finally, the make-or-break finish to Aunt Jill’s chicken chili is the toppings. When we have it, we need to leave the pot on the stove to leave room for all the tiny bowls of toppings on the table. We highly recommend chopped avocado, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro, and if you want an extra spicy zing, add pickled jalapenos or this delicious guacamole salsa. Together, they create a nice creamy finish with a zesty bite at the end. The only absolute non-negotiable is a bag full of Fritos. If you grab them, crush them up, and sprinkle them on top of the soup, you get the perfect crunch that makes the meal! 



So if you find yourself thinking about the beach, iced coffee, and backyard barbecues, hold off before you start looking for flights to tropical locations. Our remedy is much faster and much cheaper! Try some soup, they’re truly souper!



DIETARY ACCOMODATIONS

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU

Corporate office catering demands a high level of presentation, attention to the smallest details, and accommodation of many diets and allergies in the modern workplace.

If something looks off, the questions come your way. If an allergy is missed, the questions come your way, and if something is missing it’s you that winds up running around to fill that gap. Focusing on the smallest details that might not seem important until they’re overlooked, and that’s why our customers rave about us to their colleagues! We’ve got your back and are here to serve you so that you can focus on what matters most at work.

Kick Off the New Year by Eating Healthier at Work

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As we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025, many of us are focused on starting the
New Year right. New Year’s resolutions often bring shiny new gym memberships, ambitious diet
plans, and the hope of building healthier habits. Yet, old habits can be tough to shake—especially after a holiday season filled with charcuterie boards and eggnog. Starting off strong can feel challenging when the winter slump sets in, especially considering how busy the New Year can be. We’re no strangers to the chaotic kick-off of a new year packed with meetings, events, and corporate travel that can make maintaining healthy eating habits a challenge. It’s all too easy to slip back into the convenience of microwave meals and fast food. But with a few simple strategies, eating healthier at work can be both manageable and delicious.


Many of us are familiar with the common enemy to healthy eating: hangriness. When the
afternoon hits and I’m fueled purely by the morning’s granola bar and a venti iced coffee, I know
the first thing I reach for is going to be a chocolatey treat. 

DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE THIS COME 1 PM?

This is the result of low blood sugar, which can make us cranky, irritable, and tired. And while carb and sugar-heavy snacks are certainly a valid option, unfortunately, they won’t get you out of your hangry rut. Carb-heavy foods have been shown to spike blood sugar rather than sustainably elevate it, leading to low blood sugar again about an hour after you snack.

By preparing meals and snacks higher in protein ahead of time, we can
pair the chips, chocolate, or baked goods we crave with options that prolong energy and boost
productivity, like protein shakes, greek yogurt, or peanut butter. Buying specific containers for meal prep can help you pack items ahead of time, and stick to a plan throughout the week.

The most important point is this enables you to have a healthy meal (available) when hunger strikes!

Another strategy is to bulk prep proteins such as grilled chicken, salmon, or steak,
on a Sunday to set yourself up for the week. These versatile proteins can be used throughout the
week in chicken Caesar wraps, hummus and grain bowls, or chicken pesto pasta. You can have the variety you crave but only have to prepare a single type of protein in one large batch. 

Chopping up fruits and vegetables at the beginning of the week ensures that you have healthy snacks ready to grab, which are great alternatives to processed food. These can be paired with
high-protein dips like hummus, peanut butter, and Greek yogurt to add both flavor and nutrition.

FCK FAMILY'S FAVORITE MEAL PREP HACKS:

USE SALAD DRESSING AS A MARINADE

 Simply put chicken breast in a ziploc bag with some Light Caesar dressing and leave it in the fridge overnight. Grill it up the next day, and you’ll get juicy, flavorful results!

MAKE DINNER AND A HALF

By making a little extra of your family’s favorite dinner, you can take a balanced meal to work without having to plan out another meal. Portion the leftovers into microwavable containers for an easy, ready-to-go lunch the next day.

GET CREATIVE WITH AI

Eating can feel like a drag if you have the same thing every
afternoon. Especially when it comes to salads, adding in foods you wouldn’t often think of can add excitement to the day. Try adding unique toppings like goat cheese, cranberries, strawberries, pepperoncini, or prosciutto (although maybe not all at once).

Believe it or not, using a free AI tool like ChatGPT can help come up with ideas for your weekly variety in under 60 seconds!

LIGHTLY ROASTED APPLES, GOAT CHEESE, TOASTED PECANS ARE EASY, DELICIOUS, AND HEALTHY!

For those lucky enough to work in companies that provide catered meals in the workplace, Fesh City
can help you eat what makes healthier. Simply asking your workplace coordinators is
the place to start. Most companies that have a strong focus on workplace culture will be wide open to ideas and requests from their team members that ultimately keep people healthier, feeling
better, and more productive!

Finding an office catering partner who is willing to help plan menus is step one.
Throughout January and February, we’re partnering with workplaces to provide healthy, protein-rich meals tailored to your team’s needs. We collaborate with you to build weekly menus that emphasize healthy options, eliminating the guesswork for you. We also provide options
for many different allergies, restrictions, or preferences. Our team is dedicated to killer hospitality, ensuring no one is left out of a nutritious, satisfying meal.

If you’re nervous about having teams on site for multiple days but don’t want to bog them down with heavy meals that will signal nap time, just say the words and we’ll create a simple plan based on your
days, headcount, and budget that will keep people fueled and feeling good to get the New Year off to a fast start!

For example, start the day with breakfast favorites like farm-fresh eggs and Greek yogurt parfaits, packed with fresh fruits to provide an energy boost to jumpstart the
morning and enough protein to keep you going.

Healthy afternoon meals and snacks are also crucial for avoiding the post-lunch slump. One of our winter menu favorites is the Asian Salad & Grain Bowl Bar with free-range chicken breast, avocado, chickpeas, and cashews, and a variety of other fun + healthy toppings to get people excited! You can also add char-grilled steak, roasted Atlantic salmon, or grilled chicken to any menu we offer for extra protein.

HEALTHY GRABS THROUGHOUT THE WORK DAY

DO'S

Hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, chia seed pudding (if you haven’t tried Fresh City Kitchen’s, you’re missing out big time!), fresh fruit, nuts, veggies, hummus or peanut butter, cold-pressed juices (with no added sugar), minimally processed shakes like Koia, or Chomps grass-fed beef sticks. Ask us for ideas if you’re planning catering for your next meeting and need some healthy snacks.

DON'TS

Processed, mass-produced snacks like “veggie sticks”, candy, high-sugar protein bars, and all the usual suspects like Cheetos, Fritos, and Doritos. These snacks make you hungrier and contain inflammatory vegetable oils that are found in addictive processed snacks.

AVOID THESE TEMPTATIONS—AS TASTY AS THEY MAY BE, THEY’RE NOT LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR HEALTH!

PRO TIPS

Adding electrolytes to your favorite Stanley or Swell bottle the next time you fill it at the cooler will keep your energy up during the day and heading out for a brisk 10-minute walk after lunch (maybe bring some mittens) will help you digest lunch more effectively and avoid spending the afternoon staring blankly at your keyboard.

Make 2025 a year of healthy habits, not temporary resolutions by starting with what we eat at work, and when we’re busy!

With a little planning and support from your favorite office caterer (hint —> Fresh City Kitchen), sticking to those New Year’s resolutions just got a whole lot easier.