pre-dinner

Little sharps of crisp pork skin, which were often present in a bowl on the counters of butcher's shops in the Midlands when I was younger, are probably the best pre-dinner "nibbles" of all.

Nigel Slater's classic pork scratchings 2012

'The best pre-dinner "nibbles" of all': Nigel Slater's classic pork scratchings.

Nigel Slater's classic pork scratchings 2012

And putting out pre-dinner nibbles of dried fruit rather than nuts decreases calories intake a little more, but be sure to offer both so as not to alienate your guests.

Judith J. Wurtman, PhD: Thanksgiving Dinner Calories: Don't Ask PhD Judith J. Wurtman 2011

Helena's beer adds an aggressive malty note to her blinis which, as we're more likely to be scoffing them with wine than vodka in this country, is not an ideal match with pre-dinner drinks.

How to cook perfect blinis 2011

And putting out pre-dinner nibbles of dried fruit rather than nuts decreases calories intake a little more, but be sure to offer both so as not to alienate your guests.

Judith J. Wurtman, PhD: Thanksgiving Dinner Calories: Don't Ask PhD Judith J. Wurtman 2011

And putting out pre-dinner nibbles of dried fruit rather than nuts decreases calories intake a little more, but be sure to offer both so as not to alienate your guests.

Judith J. Wurtman, PhD: Thanksgiving Dinner Calories: Don't Ask PhD Judith J. Wurtman 2011

He tells, for instance, of pushing reluctant leaders toward that once unimaginable $1 trillion mark, inspiring them with the words of Britain's most cherished prime minister: As we assembled for pre-dinner drinks, I repeated the words of Winston Churchill in the 1930s: we must ensure that we could never be criticized, as he criticized politicians then, for being 'resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity and all powerful for impotence.'

Gordon Brown's "Beyond the Crash" 2011

The vogue for pre-dinner cocktails was strictly an American custom until after the war, and once the host and hostess greeted each guest, the ladies sat and the men stood, chatting lightly until the last guest had arrived.

Dining and Dinners | Edwardian Promenade 2010

He tells, for instance, of pushing reluctant leaders toward that once unimaginable $1 trillion mark, inspiring them with the words of Britain's most cherished prime minister: As we assembled for pre-dinner drinks, I repeated the words of Winston Churchill in the 1930s: we must ensure that we could never be criticized, as he criticized politicians then, for being 'resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity and all powerful for impotence.'

Gordon Brown's "Beyond the Crash" 2011

And putting out pre-dinner nibbles of dried fruit rather than nuts decreases calories intake a little more, but be sure to offer both so as not to alienate your guests.

Judith J. Wurtman, PhD: Thanksgiving Dinner Calories: Don't Ask PhD Judith J. Wurtman 2011