Giada De Laurentiis shares her how-to tips for casual get-togethers and home parties in this series, which begins with a game night for friends. For this event, a healthy menu and skinny cocktails are prepared. Recipes include warm chicken Parmesan salad; vegetable bundles with tarragon dressing; drunken berries; lemon-thyme Prosecco.
An indulgent, stress-free menu for a nighttime party features oysters; caviar and bubbles; braised short rib crostini with remoulade, "pop" tarts; and New Year's Martinez cocktails.
Giada invites guests to join her in the kitchen, where they make favorite dishes. Recipes include Caesar salad taco bites; pulled pork tacos; cheater churros; and strawberry-basil aqua fresca.
Giada hosts a family celebration that's both fun and cost-effective. She plans simple outdoor games and a menu that appeals to both kids and grownups. Included: make-your-own Juicy Lucy slider bar; crispy potato nests with cherry ketchup; black-and-white cupcakes; and easy egg creams.
The ultimate football-viewing party is planned. Giada presents tips for seating, snacks, drinks and friendly wagers. The menu includes blue-cheese-and-bacon truffles; walnut kicker cookies; margarita chicken wings; and cherry-ginger spritzers.
It's all about chocolate when Giada De Laurentiis hosts a party for friends featuring her favorite decadent ingredient. Recipes include spicy coq au vin chocolate; eat-your-heart-out pizza; dark chocolate macaron cake; and hazelnut-coffee martinis.
It's wintertime, so Giada De Laurentiis is throwing a sleepover party for her daughter, Jade, and her friends. Giada transforms her living room into the ultimate blanket fort adorned with sleeping bags and makes healthy, kid-favorite camp-style food like Green Grape Slushies, Parmesan Crisps with Red Pepper Mayonnaise, Steak and Avocado Buns and S'mores Pizzettes.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a cocktail party and good old-fashioned talent show with her friends in the style of a creative salon. Guests bring their best creative hidden talents, whether it's singing, playing the guitar, magic or juggling. The menu includes Candied Prosciutto, Roasted Carrot Hummus, Crab Crostini with Lemon and Herbs and Calabrian Mojitos.
Friends drop by unexpectedly, so Giada De Laurentiis shows how to host a fabulous last-minute party. Her menu includes Focaccia with Clementine and Fennel, Frozen Fruit Sparkling Water, Pantry Mezzi with Rigatoni with Greens, and Smokey Arugula and Apple Salad. Then, Giada shows how to use dishes and decor in cabinets to transform a living room and create a special mood with only a few minutes' notice.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over to watch the big game and makes gourmet super-sized versions of some of our favorite game foods, including a Three-Way Tie Sandwich, a bar made up of game day dips and chips, and Spicy Calabrian Shrimp.
Valentine's Day should be about sharing love and affection for all of the special people in your life, so Giada De Laurentiis hosts a dinner party around a long dining room table filled with friends. The indulgent dishes include a Cheese Raviolette in Pink Sauce, Italian Wellington and Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue.
Instead of movie night, Giada De Laurentiis hosts her own mini film festival. Guests are asked to create their own two minute cell phone movies on any topic they'd like, dramatic or documentary. Her decor and food is movie style, like Cacio Pepe Popcorn, Finger Sandwiches Three Ways, Blueberry Focaccia and Spiked Ice Cream Floats.
Giada De Laurentiis celebrates her recent travels to Italy with a dinner party featuring the flavors of Tuscany. Giada creates a California barbecue vibe with an Italian touch with her menu featuring Grilled Chicken Involtini, Buttery Herbed Potatoes, Mushroom and Grape Crostini and Spiked Arnold Palmers.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over to sample healthy versions of dishes from around the world. She pulls out an eclectic mix of plates and platters that highlight her menu of Crab Summer Rolls, Warm Arugula Vichyssoise, Caribbean Roasted Pineapple and an Italian Cocktail.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a casual but chic Potluck Party and asks each guest to bring their grandmother's favorite recipe to share with the group. Giada's own recipes include an American Punch, Red Rice Salad, Sweet and Crunchy Broccoli Salad and Spicy One Skillet Lasagna.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts her second annual Film Festival Party and invites her guests to make their own short films. She pulls out all the stops with a Hollywood-themed room and easy-to-eat menu that includes Grilled Chicken Skewers with Lemon and Honey, Smokey Eggplant Dip, Crazy Popcorn Mix and Fancy Italian Colas.
Instead of going to a bar to watch the big football game, Giada De Laurentiis invites everyone over to her place for her version of a bar hop. Giada's menu includes Mediterranean Chili Chicken Wings, Ginger Soy Chicken Wings, Spicy Game Day Dip, Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad and a Cacio e Pepe Vinaigrette.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over for a Friday night pizza and pasta party. Giada's menu features her favorite Cheesy Lemon Pizza and Sausage and Eggplant Fusilli. She lightens things up with Grilled Radicchio with Ricotta Salata, and she sets up a build-your-own-pizza bar in the kitchen.
Giada De Laurentiis invites a few couples over to celebrate Valentine's Day around a cozy outdoor fire pit.Gourmet S'mores are on the menu, along with a Spice and Smoke Cocktail, Cocoa Rubbed Flank Steak Sandwiches, Orange Grilled Shrimp with Cocoa Nib Gremolata and a Strawberry Salad.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over on a Friday night to hang out, watch movies and enjoy breakfast for dinner. Her guests arrive in comfy sweats and pajamas to enjoy her menu of Smoked Trout Frittata, Sausage and Parmesan Waffles, Honey Nut Panna Cotta and a Goodnight Mary Bar.
Giada De Laurentiis throws a cocktail party that features mini-bite appetizers of favorite comfort foods. Her menu includes BLT Bites, Crispy Salami and Cheese Egg Rolls, Chocolate Hazelnut Madeleines and Bourbon Milk.
Giada De Laurentiis and her daughter, Jade, invite Jade's friends over for a paint and tie-dye party. The menu gets an artistic touch with Bacon and Jam Sandwiches, Lemon Speckled Green Bean Salad and Rainbow Sodas.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over for a casual get-together while she tests various panino recipes and combinations for her new restaurant, Pronto, in Las Vegas. Her friends sample her menu, which includes aFrance Meets Italy Panini, a Chicken and Pepperonata Panini, a Royal Beef Tenderloin Panini, a Strawberries and Cream Panini and, to wash it all down, Aperol Spritz cocktails. Then each guest takes a turn at making her own custom panini.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a groovy '70s bash, with guests donning their best throwback outfits. Giada puts a modern spin of some of the decade's most popular foods, including Waldorf Panzanella, Sweet and Sour Shish Kabobs, Italian Helper and Giada Wallbangers.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a big Italian family Easter celebration, complete with giant chocolate eggs filled with candy. Her table is filled with traditional dishes, including Simple Spring Salad, Pesto and Prosciutto Asparagus, Sweet and Smokey Lamb Ribs and Baked Mushroom Rigatoni with Kale Gremolata.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a casual weekend brunch with friends, starting things off with Sweet and Spicy Bacon Bites. She wows her guests with a Dutch Daddy and Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast, and Spiked Chocolate and Coffee Milkshakes give everyone a mid-morning boost.
Pasta is an inexpensive way to feed a crowd and a blank canvas to dress up with great ingredients, so Giada De Laurentiis is hosting a pasta party buffet with leftovers that are hard to beat. Each dish on Giada's menu features a different pasta shape and fresh ingredients. Her buffet spread includes Pasta with Creamy White Beans, Antipasto Salad with Crispy Orzo Cacio e Pepe Gnocco Britto and Baked Pasta Rigatoni.
In Giada De Laurentiis' family, Sundays are set aside for family dinners. For a stress-free, traditional family dinner at home, Giada's menu includes casual but hearty dishes like Baby Back Ribs with Spicy Peach BBQ Sauce, Spaghetti with Zucchini and Squash, Baby Lettuces with Spicy Vinaigrette and, for dessert, Double Chocolate Chip Red Wine Bundt Cake.
Giada De Laurentiis gets in the game day spirit and keeps folks entertained before kickoff by hosting a pre-game burger bash. The backyard party features family fun activities and a massive buffet loaded with Mortadella Meatball Sliders, Giada-fied Burgers, Cacciatore Chips and Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake Dip.
Jade loves chocolate just as much as her mother so Giada De Laurentiis is hosting a chocolate-themed Valentine's Day party for her and her friends. The fancy lunch menu is full of sophisticated and elegant dishes that are also kid friendly including Cheesy Chocolate Ravioli, BFF Shrimp, Roasted Caprese Bites and Chocolate Strawberry Cups. After lunch, the kids prepare decorative, heart-shaped boxes packed with Giada's Valentine's Double-Chocolate Bark for their siblings, parents and teachers.
After a recent trip to Capri, Italy, Giada De Laurentiis hosts a lunch party that celebrates the island and one of its most inspiring ingredients -- the lemon.
Giada De Laurentiis treats Jade to a special day of mother-daughter fun and a delicious dinner.
Giada De Laurentiis knows there are few things more special than being invited over to someone's home for a dinner party; she hosts a formal dinner with a multi-course meal including whole roasted beef tenderloin with peperonata and more.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts an elegant outdoor lunch made with fresh garden ingredients to thank some of her friends and family for the special things they've done for her; the menu includes crispy goat cheese salad, Moroccan lemon chicken and more.
There's nothing Giada De Laurentiis loves more than an over-the-top costume party, and she goes all out with a Big Hair Rocker Party.
Giada De Laurentiis organizes a dog park picnic inspired by her dog, Bruno, for her friends with furry pals.
With a cuisine that's as varied as its dramatic landscape, the island of Sicily has become very popular for its wide range of interesting foods; Giada De Laurentiis transports her guests to the exotic island with a Sicilian menu.
Giada De Laurentiis brings out the comfy outdoor seating, cozy blankets and a DIY outdoor theater for a movie night under the stars.
Giada De Laurentiis and her daughter Jade host an Easter-themed family brunch with a menu that includes Giada's spin on traditional Italian holiday dishes.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends into her kitchen to create their own pasta shapes from scratch and enjoy a pasta party together. In Italy, many families invent their own pasta shapes, but the recipes often aren't written down and are lost over time. Before her friends arrive, Giada makes her family's favorite pastas -- Malloreddus and Pappardelle -- along with good-quality Italian homemade sauces and sides made simply and with inexpensive ingredients. Her guests feast on a menu of Malloreddus with Shrimp and Arugula, Pappardelle with Sausage Ragu and Grilled Endive with Citrus and Pancetta.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts her friends for an evening of cozy television-viewing, and she makes a hearty menu of small bites that are easy to eat in front of the TV. Giada provides blankets, pillows and an individual TV tray for each guest! The casual-but-delicious menu includes Tamari Spiced Nuts, Sweet and Crunchy Jicama Slaw, Sausage Hoagies and Chocolate Almond Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Before the big game, Giada De Laurentiis and her family and friends spend the day on the beach playing tag football and having an oceanside picnic. Giada serves an array of decadent picnic foods that not only feed a crowd but are perfect for game day. Her guests enjoy an easy, make-ahead meal of Pizza Paninis, Bittersweet Chopped Salad, Sweet Potato Hummus and, for dessert, Fennel and Orange Fudge.
Giada De Laurentiis invites friends over for a Valentine's Day-themed breakfast with chocolate in every dish. She treats them to a playful, laid-back morning with beanbag chairs, games and an indulgent, buffet-style breakfast menu. Giada makes Red Eye Benedict, Cocoa Nib Potato Pancakes, Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes and Sweet and Salty Chocolate Granola.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts an intimate dinner party on a boat in the marina. The sunset dinner cruise is complete with twinkling lights and a romantic and elegant menu. Giada makes Paccheri with Porcini and Pistachio, Pan-Seared Salmon with Artichokes and White Wine, Beet and Burrata Salad and a light and flavorful dessert of Roasted Strawberries with Vin Santo.
Sometimes no occasion is the best occasion! Giada De Laurentiis surprises her daughter, Jade, in the middle of the week with a special menu that includes all her favorite comfort foods. Jade finishes her homework in the kitchen while Giada puts the finishing touches on their meal of Meatball Salad, Creamy Parmesan Baked Shells, Green Bean "Fries" and Chewy Almond and Cherry Thumbprint Cookies.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts an elegant baby shower and brunch for her young Aunt Carolyna, who is like a little sister to Giada. The gorgeous and festive menu reflects the happy occasion with Roasted Caprese Salad, Orecchiette with Almond Pesto, Lemon Lavender Shrimp Cups, and finally, an indulgent dessert of Torta Caprese Bianca al Limone.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a St. Patrick's Day party, offering her spin on traditional Irish dishes. Guests will feast on hearty Lamb and Red Wine Stew, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Savoy Cabbage, plus a Smoked Salmon "Crudo" with Creamy Cucumbers. For dessert, Giada serves a rich Chocolate Stout Torta made with real Guinness beer.
After Jade's big volleyball game, Giada De Laurentiis invites her daughter's teammates to celebrate at a fun-filled after party. It's a delicious but casual menu with all of Jade's favorites: Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu, Charred Broccoli Crostini, Crispy Orzo and Peas and, for dessert, super-fun Gummy Worm Popsicles.
Giada De Laurentiis pulls off the ultimate surprise birthday party for a dear friend, featuring glittery decor and quiz-style party games. Guests enjoy delicious finger foods, including Lamb Chops with Mint and Pistachio Salsa Verde, Eggplant Parmesan Bites, and Fig and Salumi Crostini. Instead of a birthday cake, Giada serves up fun and festive PB and J Tiramisu.
Giada De Laurentiis serves a healthy, kid-friendly lunch for her daughter Jade and friends after a yoga and stretching class. The young guests are treated to Lemon and Oregano Pounded Chicken, Cheddar Stuffed Cauliflower with Basil Breadcrumbs, and Pesto Green Beans and Peas with Fusilli. For dessert, Chocolate and Orange Brown Rice Treats are a new spin on a childhood classic.
Giada De Laurentiis draws on the fresh flavors of spring as she celebrates Easter in Italian style with a fabulous family feast. The holiday menu includes Giada's Spicy Lamb Bolognese, Creamy Polenta with Spinach, and Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts. Finally, guests enjoy a delicious Strawberry Basil Coffee Cake decorated with real edible flowers.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Giada De Laurentiis shares a menu sourced completely from the garden and throws an eco-friendly party with all recycled products. Guests savor a vegetarian feast that includes Escarole and Olive Salad with Raspberry Dressing, Baked Coriander Sweet Potatoes, Beet Risotto with Gorgonzola and decadently rich Amaro Truffles for dessert.