Keep it simple for easy wedding entertaining

Wedding season is upon us, and until the economy improves, entertaining the bride at home is an option worth serious consideration. While we would be the last to recommend flinging the rehearsal dinner into your living room, a bridesmaid's lunch or even a small brunch for out-of-towners during the wedding weekend is perfectly doable.

Here are some tips we hope might help the "entertaining intimated" (or at least facilitate pondering the possibilities).

For starters, confront your Martha Fear. If you've been shellshocked by photos of the way-too-perfect, pull yourself together and remember that Martha has a staff.

That said, figure out how to enlist some free help. In the "old days" (i.e., back when we got married), our mothers, grandmothers and aunts got together, and everyone cooked something. Or they joined forces with friends and hosted en masse. Smart women!

Keep the menu simple. Let one stunning dish like today's Hawaiian chicken salad in radicchio leaves take center stage, and resist the temptation to crowd the plate.

As for ambience: Not even "M" would disagree that simple is elegant — and simple preserves your sanity. The trick is to concentrate on one or two flourishes, like cloth napkins or flowers from the yard arranged in a crystal bowl.

Bask in the glow of the bride: It's not about you, your house or, ultimately, your menu. Center your perspective on celebrating someone you cherish, and everything else will fall into place. For another of our favorite chicken-salad recipes, visit our blog at www.kitchenscoop.com.

Party Menu Suggestion:

Assorted cheeses and crackers

Hawaiian chicken salad in radicchio leaves

Steamed asparagus

Lemon sorbet and sugar cookies

Hawaiian Chicken Salad in Radicchio Leaves

Start to finish: 20 minutes

1 cup chopped macadamia nuts (see cook's note)

1 small container (8 ounces) light sour cream

1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

4 cups grilled chicken breast, chopped (see cook's note)

1 cup chopped scallions

1 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained well, more for optional garnish

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

salt, to taste, optional

8 to 12 radicchio leaves, rinsed and dried

Cook's note: You may need to coarsely chop the nuts. Use already roasted chicken breast to make this come together more quickly.

Toast nuts: Place in single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered on high, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Carefully remove, and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together sour cream and mayonnaise. Add chicken, scallions, celery, pineapple and black pepper. Stir well to mix thoroughly. Add salt to taste if nuts are unsalted.