Posted by Meredith Spears on April 15, 2010 12:14 p.m.
I love dinner parties with good friends. It gives everyone a chance to relax, catch up, and enjoy great food and drinks. The problem I usually encounter when trying to host one of these things is a theme for the evening that everyone will enjoy, while still coming up with something interesting and delicious. Not to mention cost-saving!
The best way to save on cost without skimping on content is to have a potluck – everyone who is attending brings a dish or something that’s needed to the party. That way, the responsibility of the evening is not solely on one person and it ultimately is financially friendly to all involved. The problem with this is if there’s no set theme or any organization, there’s likely to be a jello fruit dessert that no one will eat, an endless supply of ice, and nothing but sides with no entrée.
The solution? Choose a theme and assign people things to bring according to that theme. A great theme is Italian; most people love this cuisine that’s based on hearty pastas and breads, delicious meats and desserts. Take some time to plan out the meal in its entirety and then find some easy recipes that your friends will be able to easily concoct.
As the host, you will already have all the dishes, cutlery, and glasses that will be needed, which means that everyone who attends can bring food items. Also, the host should prepare the main entrée for the evening. Instead of experimenting with some truly authentic Italian dishes that may not be liked by everyone, stick to old classics like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, or chicken cacciatore.
What’s an Italian meal without antipasti? Instruct one of your attendees to be responsible for providing an appetizer. Italian bread with olive oil is always a great standby and should be present throughout the entire meal. Marinated olives, mushrooms, and artichokes are a light, non-filling choice, or if the guest in charge of this portion of the meal is feeling somewhat adventurous, bruschetta or spinach artichoke dip are perfectly popular crowd pleasers.
Assign another partygoer to be in charge of beverages. Wine is an obvious choice for Italian cuisine, so ask them to select a red wine that will be a great accompaniment to the meal. If that person is willing, you could also have them bring the ingredients to create one traditional Italian cocktail for your guests to enjoy.
Next, assign one person to be in charge of soup and salad with Italian dressing. Since the salad is simple enough and can be purchased at the grocery store, ask this person to make an Italian soup from scratch, such as minestone or hearty pasta e fagioli.
For the best course, dessert, ask one member of your party to make a traditional Italian dessert or two so there’s a nice variety. Desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake can be recreated simply, and are always delicious staples. You can provide an after-dinner beverage, such as coffee laced with liqueur, or espresso.
This sumptuous feast is easily pulled together with the help of your friends, and truly brings the essence of Italy right to your home. Something about delicious comfort food with an exotic flair is just the thing to encourage everyone to reconnect and have a truly wonderful time. Buon appetito!