help - dinner party phobic!

jennyanne06

I cook just about every night for my husband and I, but for some reason the thought of entertaining sets me in panic mode.  Basically the whole idea of trying to entertain while cooking a decent dinner seems a little daunting to me! 

That said, I want to bite the bullet & have some friends over for a little dinner party - does anyone have any fool proof menu ideas or recommendations?

6fsn

My recommendations- start small.  Invite people you love and feel comfortable with.  Also, cook things you are comfortable with.  Do as much as you can ahead of time and ask people for help if you need.  Also, let your husband know what his duties are- mine is always responsible for coats and drinks. 

TarHeels&Rebels

6fsn:

My recommendations- start small.  Invite people you love and feel comfortable with.  Also, cook things you are comfortable with.  Do as much as you can ahead of time and ask people for help if you need.  Also, let your husband know what his duties are- mine is always responsible for coats and drinks. 

Yep, this.  My DH knows he's my sous chef.

You could post some of your most reliable dishes and we can see if a menu can be cobbled together from them.

ETA - Not that we don't have our own recipes to recommend, but when you're really apprehensive, you want to stay with tried and true, not an internet stranger's recs.

misscastle

You can do it! I agree, start small -- just having one other couple over is a dinner party! Don't fret about everything being ready by the time they get there, especially if you have an open kitchen with a place for guests to sit and chat while you cook. 

Have one appetizer ready when they get there so there's something to munch on -- it can be something super easy like veggies and dip or something along those lines. Aim to have dinner 85 percent done by the time they show up. Have your husband pour them a glass of wine and make it clear to him that he has to do the bulk of entertaining while you finish things up, and have some nice music going in the background!

It's likely that the wife will ask you need any help. If it's a good friend, I never hesitate to say yes if I do! If it's not, just say "Thank you so much! I think I have things under control, please enjoy your wine!" 

For my early dinner parties, I made dishes I was comfortable with -- most often, lasagna, salad, French bread. The bread can be sliced in advance, the salad can be tossed and put in the fridge, so all you have to do is make the lasagna. This actually makes it super-easy for you because the lasagna will just be cooking when your guests arrive, so you don't have to worry about cooking and entertaining at the same time! 

Enjoy! Have fun! 

Ginger Le Coeur

Have fun!!! : ) I love throwing dinner parties.

I agree with pp about simple and be comfortable.

Here is what I try to do: 

Plan, Plan Plan and Plan.... I have a detailed list of everything that needs to be done. What goes on the table, flowers, wine, cocktails, glasses, plates, serving pieces, recipes, shopping lists, time line, what I'm going to wear everything is planned in advance. This might seem daunting, but I enjoy the planning stage. It's my quiet time. I usually grab a cup of coffee and sit down with a note book and start writing my lists.

I love making things that I can prepare ahead of time. Nothing worse than throwing a dinner party, and having to spend the whole night in the kitchen! 

Appetizers: I usually do one hot appetizer, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cheese-puffs-recipe/index.html these are one of my favorites and they can be made way a head of time, frozen and just pulled out the night of the party.

Then I serve some warm nuts, either just some cashews pan toasted with salt, pepper and fresh rosemary, or the Union square cafe nuts http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/the-union-square-cafes-bar-nuts-recipe/index.html

Then a simple veggie tray, maybe two kinds of veggies and a simple, store bought dip.

If it's a larger party, adding a simple cheese and charcuterie plate is an easy addition.

Main meal: I love doing a good pork roast or standing rib roast. I have used this recipe twice for dinner parties and it's easy and delicious. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/loin-of-pork-with-green-peppercorns-recipe/index.html

I also love this http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/potato-fennel-gratin-recipe/index.html 

Then a simple green salad: box of lettuce, tossed with some shaved Parmesan cheese or fresh goat cheese, dried cranberries or cherries and some toasted pistachios. Dress with a lemon vinaigrette so easy and no chopping involved!

Dessert: Make a chocolate bark, (I make a chocolate bark with dark chocolate and almonds. Melt good dark chocolate like callebaut, add slivers of toasted almonds. Place the melted chocolate and almonds between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out, very thin, with a rolling pin. Place this in the freezer until it sets up. 

Serve with some good vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Super easy! And after a big meal, it's nice to end with a "lighter" dessert. 

BTW. SO is always the bar tender, responsible for lighting candles and filling the water glasses. I don't allow anyone else in my kitchen when I'm cooking because it's just too small. SO is also very helpful as a sous chef. He stands outside the kitchen, at the counter for our pass through between our kitchen and dinning room and chops veggies etc. 

Make sure you have some good music planned, and have fun!