| Bring up the idea of a crepe party and people are | | | | guest a fresh, hot crepe to fill with their choice of |
| instantly transported back to the seventies when | | | | delicious ingredients! |
| these gatherings were all the rage in the United | | | | Planning. In planning your party, keep your guest |
| States. In France, however, crepe parties continue | | | | list fairly small, 10-12 at the most. A typical basic |
| to be popular events, particularly on Candlemas | | | | crepe batter makes 10-12 8-inch crepes. You |
| (or La Chandeleur). It is a long-held tradition that if | | | | should allow at least 2-3 crepes per person. And |
| you eat crepes on Candlemas you will have a | | | | because there might be spillage or requests for |
| year of happiness. But the French do not wait for | | | | thirds and fourths, it's important to have extra |
| a national holiday to celebrate crepes. Such parties | | | | batter on hand. The good news is that you can |
| are regular events particularly for students, for | | | | make the batter ahead of time (even the night |
| whom crepes are especially revered for their | | | | before). |
| economy, versatility and ease of preparation. | | | | Preparation. Where you can also save time is by |
| In the U.S, such parties are rarer but given these | | | | making your fillings in advance. These can be |
| same factors-not to mention the instant | | | | easily assembled and warmed through the help of |
| gratification offered by filling your own crepe, it's | | | | chafing dishes. Savory or sweet? Why not both? |
| no surprise that crepe parties are making a | | | | For your main course, you'll want to offer 2-3 |
| well-deserved comeback. The key to a successful | | | | choices of fillings, at least one of which should be |
| crepe party is planning and preparation. Some | | | | vegetarian. Suggestions include steak diane or |
| cooks advocate making crepes ahead of time and | | | | chicken marsala recipes. For your vegetarians, |
| re-heating but crepes cook so quickly, there is | | | | offer an asparagus and mushroom filling, with |
| really no need. After all, nothing beats handing a | | | | swiss cheese sauce on the side. |