I ended up throwing an impromptu dinner party last Wednesday. Instead of panicking, I took a deep breath, came up with an easy, manageable menu, and wrote out a grocery list. If you ever find yourself on the hosting end of an impromptu dinner party, be sure to check out my no fail planning tips.
- For appetizers make one dip (I made a quick Sun Dried Tomato Dip that involved no chopping) and round it out with store bought goodies. Bowls of burst-in-your-mouth blueberries, salty black olives, crispy flatbread, and buttery french bread crisps can be plated in a matter of minutes. Chunk a few pieces of smoked gouda or other cheese and slice up some salami.
- Choose a menu that is quick, easy and meat-free in case any vegetarians unexpectedly show up. Fresh Basil Pesto with pasta and a Green Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette is a simple meal that can be put together in under an hour.
- For dessert, have everyone help out and make ice cream sandwiches.
- Ask your guests to bring a bottle or two of wine.
What do you cook for your last-minute dinner parties?? Share your menus with me below!
To take a look at a gallery of images from my middle-of-the-week dinner, read more
Lowie
BHS
Vic Matiﾏ
This sounds great and easily manageable for anything last minute!
1looks great! remind me to invite myself over someday!
2looks yummy!
3Pesto is yummo. And super easy to make.
4Oooh, I love pesto.
When I do a last minute party, I alway start things off by having roasted chick peas and black and green olives on the table with some other nibbles; cheese and crackers and some mixed veggies and ranch dressing and chips because everyone always eats chips.
I make a big salad with all the sides, like tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrotts, mushrooms, and a few choices of dressing.
And I often make pizza. I make my own dough and it's not very difficult and always tastes delicious. Then I'll make two piesl a regular pizza and an onion pizza (which has no tomato sauce). Or else I'll make a pasta casserole of some sort the night before and just pop it in the oven when the guests start to arrive.
Some pastries or cookies and a variety of fruits for dessert, and everyone's happy.
5Pesto is a tasty way to entertain with limited time!
6My impromptu go-to is a farmer's market meal - it only takes 45 minutes in the kitchen to make - and a quick trip to a good grocer.
Appetizer:
- Fresh angel hair pasta tossed with EVOO, fresh cut heirloom tomatoes and basil
Entree:
- Corn (cut off of grilled cob) mixed with herbs and lime butter sauce
- Green beans steamed and then sauteed with Arugula and garlic
- Salmon Grilled with lime butter sauce
Desert:
- Vanilla icecream with fresh berries on top
It was inspired from a Gourmet issue last summer, and everyone always raves when i make it.
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