New Year, New Ideas for your next dinner party!

As I settle into retirement from my full-time career, I'm excited to expand Hen House Kitchen by offering more opportunities for you to gather with friends in the kitchen.

I recently had the privilege of hosting a dinner with six incredible women to celebrate Women's History Month. This theme would be perfect for a girls' night out.

Bodrum, Turkey

Last spring I was fortunate enough to spend time with an amazing cook in in Turkey, the favorite dish was manti. Manti is a small dumpling (think small tortellini) thinly rolled out pasta dough is filled with ground beef or lamb and grated onions. Once boiled the manti is topped with yogurt that's seasoned with garlic and warmed with some of the manti cooking liquid as well as melted butter with mint and red pepper. A dish that I believe is truly greater than the sum of its parts. In the cold of February, I made the manti at home along with some Turkish stuffed onions to remind us of the warm Bodrum sun.

I'd love to make some manti with you and your friends!