How Make Entertaining Easier – Part III

Today in Part III of How to Entertain with Ease, we are going focus on some food ideas for making entertaining easy!

On my blog Living Large in A Small House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. You can find my full Disclosure Policy HERE

Casual Entertaining Food

I always have a few items in the pantry, fridge and freezer for those “just in case” occasions. Casual entertaining should be just that, casual and the food should be easy breezy.

• Popcorn is quick and easy and can store forever in the pantry
• Nuts – I typically have almonds on hand at all times
• Crackers – We keep crackers in our snack bin and replace them when they get a little old
• Cheese – We are a cheese loving family so I almost always have bricks of cheese. Chunk cheese that is partially used, can be cut into slices, no one will be the wiser.
• I always have baby carrots & celery in my fridge and I always keep an extra pack of ranch dip mix in the pantry.
• Apple slices or grapes, if you have them they are great to nibble on.
• A frozen pizza can be both a meal or cut up into bite sizes pieces for nibbling
• There is nothing wrong with chips and dip. “Handy” is always happy with just that at every single party we have ever had 🙂

Formal Entertaining Food

My idea of formal is just elevating it to a different level.

Real plates and cloth napkins instead of paper for a dinner party.

Tasty Finger food and a signature cocktail adds to a successful cocktail party.

Your food doesn’t have to be terribly fussy or hard to prepare just upgraded from hot dogs & burgers to a roast or turkey.

Dinner Party Menu

Example of a easy, make ahead dinner menu:

• Marinated Flank Steak – Marinate 24 hours before and then grill right before serving
• Twice Baked Potatoes – I make these sometimes a week before and freeze. Take them out the day before to thaw and then just pop in the oven to heat through
• Tossed Salad – I cut up all of my veggies and chop my lettuce the day before. I then dress my salad right before serving. I use something universal like Italian dressing or Homemade Ranch Dressing.
• Rolls – The Bakery is your friend here. I order my rolls so that I don’t have to worry about the store not having them and I send “Handy” out the morning of to pick-up.
• Dessert – Since I’m not a baker, I do the same thing as the Rolls. There is no shame in ordering your dessert from the bakery. This would also be a great dish to let someone bring, if they ask. I for one love it if someone asks if they can bring dessert because I know that this isn’t my strong suit.
• Appetizers – If we are having a whole dinner, I will prep everything the day before and even put it on a tray or board, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. Again, if someone is offering to bring things, have them bring their favorite hors d’oeuvre. You can find my post about a great charcuteries board HERE

Bar & Beverage

For most events, I try to keep it simple with wine, beer, bottled water, and maybe a signature drink (Sangria, Margarita, Moscow Mule). I also will usually have some Diet Coke on hand as well. If it’s a more formal event I use a guide to stock the bar. This article from Epicurious outlines what you need if you are stocking a full bar and it also calculates the number of appetizers you should have for a cocktail party.

Our local liquor store will take back any unopened bottles which is a great option. I believe Costco will also do that as well. Don’t forget to have extra ice on hand. We always have coolers outside with extra ice.

Other Food Ideas for Entertaining

• Make Your Own Pizza – Trader Joes has amazing pizza dough. We also love their pizza sauce – So easy! Just provide some assorted toppings
• Salad Bar – Lettuce with toppings and two proteins along with a few different dressings. Add some nice crusty French bread from the bakery
• Taco Bar – Super simple! Prep the meat and provide shells and different toppings. Add Corn Chips and someone can even make nachos.
• Pasta Bar – Two different noodles with three sauces and a protein or two.
• Chili with assorted toppings – I always make two pots one just has beans added in and then provide toppings
• Hot Dog Bar – This is a fun summer idea and also great for a child’s party
• Large Sub Sandwiches – I put together the sandwich with meats and cheese and let everyone put their own toppings (tomato, lettuce, pickles and condiments) on themselves.
• Make Your Own Sundaes – Vanilla ice cream with two different sauces and then you could go crazy with toppings (very fun for a birthday bash)
• Pot Luck – So easy, everyone brings a dish to pass and you just provide the main dish. I would also do BYOB
• Taste of Your Town – Order a different items from local eateries. Here is Chicagoland it might consist of Portillo’s Beef, Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza, or our local Mexican Restaurant.

How to Entertain with Ease

1. Keep it simple
2. Make things ahead of time
3. Entertain for your comfort level
4. If asked, accept help
5. Always remember that your guests won’t remember what you served or the spot on the floor; they will remember the good times had with friends & family.

We entertain on all the levels. But it’s taken me time to become comfortable with more elaborate meals and events.

We have recently had 40 people in our home for our Grand Son’s 1st Birthday. We also have planned a small dinner party planned for Christmas Eve. Being prepared ahead of time and creating a timeline is what makes them work. If you missed it see Entertaining Easier – Part II.

Peace and Love,