Martha Stewart Living
July 2001

Skylands Dinner Party

If pride of lions had a party, it might look something like this one at Skylands, Martha's home in Maine.  "It's the Leo party," she says.  "Several of my closest friends and I were born under the sign of Leo, so we celebrate together."  Martha prepares as much in advance as possible- the key to being a good relaxed host, whether the event if for eight people or, like this one for eighty.

Being organized makes setting up for a big party easier.  Skylands's back entrance is the setting for the dinner.  Torie Hallock, caretaker at Skylands, lays a tablecloth on one of the ten foot tables.  The tables are measured so that the distance between them is equal.  Martha wanted the gathering to feel like a relaxed backyard party, so she chose strings of bare lights and simple table settings.  This platter holds ingredients for the evening's meal.  A table is loaded with summer's bounty.

The Spanish-inspired menu includes warm-weather favorites and lots of seafood - perfect for a summer party on the coast of Maine.  The evening's cocktail is white sangria, ladled from an enormous ceramic bowl.  The crew shucks oysters and littlenecks.  They will be grilled and served on beds of salt and seaweed in giant clamshells that Martha found in the house when she bought it.  Cilantro gazpacho with tomato aspic is a refreshing make-ahead first course.  Skewers of chicken and vegetables look festive arranged in a sunburst pattern.  A glimpse through the dining-room window of the activity on the terrace.

The hor d'oeuvres are finger foods- easy for both guests and host.  Martha samples pan tomate con jamón.  A platter of this dish- grilled bread with oven-dried tomatoes and ham - is part of the Spanish theme.  From the bar, guests take in the spectacular view over the trees to the water.  A closer look at one of the giant clamshells used for serving.  The oyster and littlenecks are topped with either of two sauces: hogwash (a piquant vinaigrette) and spicy romesco tomato sauce; sour cream and tomatillo salsa are spooned over grilled quesadillas filled with mango chutney and cheddar.

Menu: Barbecued clams and oysters ,quesadillas, chicken and vegetable skewers, pan tomate con jamón, cilantro gazpacho with tomato aspic, paella, white sangria, lemon pound cake with ice cream, lemon curd, and poached fruits.

"It's all about the view, the sunset, the fresh air, and the scent of the pine trees," Martha says of the setting.  Guests are dropped off at the end of the driveway and walk through the forest to the 1925 pink granite house.  The front door granite house.  The front door is open, and everyone passes through the foyer and great hall to the terrace.  Martha likes to keep guests moving during parties: After cocktails, they amble to the backyard for dinner; later they return to the terrace for dancing.

This traditional Spanish dish- a lusty mixture of chicken, pork, chorizo, seafood, vegetables, and rice, all seasoned with saffron- is named for the wide, shallow pan in which it is cooked and served (through a skillet can be used instead).  When serving paella, make sure everyone gets a good mix of the varied ingredients.  Martha also has a few steaks on hand for guests who don't eat seafood.

After dinner, guests stretch their legs with a trip to the dessert buffet, where the offerings are simple and homey.  They include lemon pound cake with homemade ice cream, lemon curd, and peaches, pineapples, and plums poached in three syrups.  The strings of lights were inspired by a cantina Martha visited in Spain.  Cooking the paella the old-fashioned way: on an outdoor fire.  One last look at the view from the terrace before sunset.  Martha makes a toast between courses.  A peek inside the house at night.  Martha and Sharon Patrick, a good friend and colleague, enjoy the evening.