How to cheat the system...

A lazy hostess' guide to quick & easy "Dinner Partying."

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Life’s busy. We get it. After a long day of work, errands, social life “to dos,” and so much more “reality” to deal with, sometimes planning the perfect dinner party just isn’t in the cards. It can feel *too* hard, *too* daunting, and *too* time consuming, stressful, or exhausting. 

SPOILER ALERT: A good dinner party doesn’t *have* to be any of those things!

Read all about that here!

We’ve got you sorted with all the resources you need to avoid breaking a sweat when you’re in the throws of last minute pulling together a truly compliment-worthy spread. Because validation is a dish best served hot.

Welcome to The Cheater’s Guide to pro-hosting!

Not Your Mother’s Dinner Party

Dan Churchill’s Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken:

Healthy chef extraordinare, genius recipe developer, truly inspirational athlete, and dear friend (check out the wizardry he performed in my kitchen here!), Dan Churchill’s Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken is the perfect dish to prep in a pinch for last minute guests.

Things to look out for when stitching together a last minute dinner party menu are:

  1. Prep time

  2. Cooking time

  3. Number of ingredients (and if you have them on hand)

  4. Scaleability (can you easily make this for a group without breaking the bank?)

  5. Health value (will your guests leave feeling full and nourished?)

  6. And does it seem special?—A little bit elevated and like something that your guests might not make for themselves on a random night in. 

This dish ticks every box. It can be ready in under an hour, only requires a handful of ingredients that you probably already have at home, is easy to make for a group, protein-packed, so is incredibly filling, looks *very* impressive since the feta and spinach are inside the chicken, and runs you less than $4 per person. Here is his recipe that feeds 4 guests.

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano

  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIY Pizza or Taco Bar

A common misconception about dinner parties is that the meal has to be “fancy,” seated, or coursed. Maybe that's the case sometimes, but more often than not, the party is about the company and the experience. Keep it easy and set out a (picturesque) table of toppings and fixings and let your guests concoct their own creations. We’re adults now and there’s no one to tell you not to play with your food!

Check out the caption of this post for a list of all of the low haul, but very delicious, bits and bobs that I whipped together for this taco night!

Pasta is the Ultimate People Pleaser

Pasta is a fail safe way to make a crowd feel full and happy on a major time and money budget. It is also the easiest category of food to scale all the way Oooh la la fancy or all the way Arthur-shaped Mac & Cheese. My go-to’s are a good alla vodka or alla norma, a classic bolognese, or an aglio e olio or al limone in the summertime.

Here are a few tips for how to pick your pasta shape and sauce combo!

More meals to feed a group that you can make in under an hour!

Check out even more ideas on the Pepper App! It’s a social cookbook, so you can see everything that your friends are whipping up.

Easy Cocktails to Batch

As the host, you shouldn’t have to play DJ and bartender too. The same way you can quickly throw together a playlist to set the mood and let it go all night, you can batch make your drinks and have them all ready to pour over ice. Below is a list of cocktails that you can make by the pitcher for your party and are sure to please a crowd!

Pimm’s

This English summer staple is beautiful to serve and easy to make ahead of time because it only gets better throughout the day as the fruit infuses more and more!

Bloody Mary

Brunch means Bloody Mary’s. Turn the drink into an “activity” and set up a bar for your guests to pick & mix their favorite toppings and additions. 

Sangria

A party staple for a reason, sangria is essentially an elevated punch. You can’t go wrong. Whether made with red or white wine, is the perfect drink that’s also a snack.

Mojito

Mojitos are refreshing, easy to throw together, and can be made seasonal or elevated by adding whatever fun unique flavors you have on hand. Pomegranates? Blood oranges? Blackberries? Chuck them in! Want to turn the cooling bev even summer-ier? Add pineapple or watermelon!

Time Crunch Tablescaping

Candlelight

Grab those mismatched candles lying around and create a cozy, ambient atmosphere. Mix and match for a whimsical touch. Just make sure to steer clear of scented candles! No one wants to be smelling Autumn in Upstate New York or Tropical Getaway while eating your lovely bolognese.

Play Picasso

Unleash your inner artist on plain paper placemats, place cards, or menus. Doodles, quotes, or even a quick caricature of each guest—make it personal and entertaining or throw markers on the table and let the guests play!

Florals? Groundbreaking!

Pick up a bunch of fresh flowers from a local market. Arrange them in simple vases or even repurpose old jars for a rustic chic vibe.

The Superheroes: Apps, Sites, and Resources to Save the Day

In the age of everything being just a tap away, use grocery delivery apps to get ingredients delivered to your doorstep in no time. Don’t know what to make and Pinterest feels too overwhelming? Turn to websites like AllRecipes, Food Network, Bon Appetit, Epicurious, or NYT Cooking for quick, crowd-pleasing recipes.

Here are a few tips on how to do it all on a budget!

Save this list for the next time you need a helping hand…or someone to literally hold your hand!

Final Tips for Cheaters

  • Serve a bunch of snacks instead of a coursed meal. Everyone will feel full by the end, there will be options that everyone will like, your table will look populated, indulgent, and colorful, and it’s *so* much easier. Here’s a guide on how to know how much to buy.

  • Outsource dessert. Guests will often ask what they can bring, so let one of them bring something sweet to close the meal. It just takes one more thing off your plate. 

  • Don’t know where to start or have decision fatigue? Pick a theme or plan around the season! Here’s a guide to the produce that’s in season each month, and here is a list of fun themes to choose from!

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to make it fun and to make your guests feel fed, welcome, and cozy. Embrace spontaneity! Don’t seem stressed and enjoy the fruits of your labor without over apologizing for the timing or plates. I promise that no one notices the way that you do. Impromptu entertaining isn't easy, but it is an art form all its own and one that will get easier the more you do it!