Secrets of the Best Chefs

SALTED RED CHILIES are terrific on chicken, meat, fish, you
name it. To make them, simply slice a few chilies (try Thai
chilies or jalapeños), sprinkle them heavily with salt, and let
them sit at room temperature for 2 hours. Then rinse them off,
place them in a small pot, and cover with olive oil. Cook at a
very low temperature for 20 minutes, turn off the heat, and
allow them to cool before storing with the oil in clean jars.
A SILVER PLATTER may be a symbol of wealth and
entitlement, but it’s also a lovely tool for entertaining. When I
arrived at Jovancicevic’s, she used a simple silver platter to
present a bowl of cut-up fruit and a glass of water. It’s a small
gesture that goes a long way.
WHEN THROWING a dinner party, it’s not essential to make
everything yourself. Make what you can and buy everything
else—meat, cheese, breads, even dessert—from your favorite
providers. The key is abundance.