How to Throw a Simple Dinner Party
Are you planning to invite people for dinner or a party and have no idea how to feed them?
Here are some ideas on how to throw together a dinner party that everyone can enjoy. When inviting people to your table, it’s often the case that there are different preferences or diets, and I think it’s important to serve something so everyone feels included. This can be easier than you think and doesn’t have to take a lot of time to prepare.
I first like to think of a general theme, which can be a certain cuisine like Mexican, Mediterranean, or Asian, a season like summer or autumn, or maybe a holiday like Christmas or Easter. You can really get creative here. I then try to think of one recipe or dish that I really like from that theme. Obviously, your guests should enjoy your food, but since you’re making it, you should be the first priority. Chances are, your guests will also enjoy what you like. It’s also a good idea to include at least one dish you already know how to make and maybe have a mix of things you’ve made before and new recipes, so the prep doesn’t get too stressful. It also lowers the risk of something going wrong or taking longer than expected, since time management can be another stressful element.
I would then build around the recipe you’ve thought of. I like to have a variety of protein, carbs, and fiber. So, meat or cheese, maybe some beans for protein, bread, potatoes, or rice for carbs, and a lot of different vegetables and fruits for fiber. The more colorful, the better. I also like to have some options that are naturally dairy-free or vegan to include all guests. For example, this hummus recipe is perfect as it’s already vegan. Or you can try this nectarine tomato mozzarella salad and put the mozzarella on the side as an option. I usually like to ask about any dietary restrictions before I start preparing and try to accommodate them as much as possible. It’s also nice to have a lot of different elements that go together, so everyone can choose what they like and leave out what they don’t or can’t eat.
To give you an example, I created this Mexican-themed dinner party for my birthday. Since one of the guests was vegan, I wanted to offer some options to accommodate her diet. Because Mexican cuisine uses a lot of beans and vegetables, it was easy to put together and offer a variety of different elements. I prefer dishes where I don’t have to use a substitute like vegan meat, as I think it just tastes better to use natural ingredients. So, I started out with the idea of making wraps or tacos since everyone can create their own. It’s communal, and you have more to do while sitting together than simply having a plated dinner. It also makes the preparation easier since you can prepare a lot of it before guests arrive, and nothing needs to be served immediately after cooking, giving you more time to spend with your guests. It’s your party, so you should enjoy it too.
I then thought of some side dishes like salads, dips, and different fillings. I first started preparing the things that can be stored in the fridge or that require some time to rest. In this case, it was the mango salsa, since it tastes much better if the spices have time to combine with the mango. I then continued based on the prep time of the other elements, while considering their need for attention. For example, the roasted vegetables just need to cook in the oven and can be left there after it’s switched off until they’re served. You can also heat up the wraps and keep them warm under a towel. I also like to have something ready on the table before guests arrive, so they can snack while waiting for others. In this case, it was tortilla chips and dips.
Food I included:
- Roasted sweet potato and bell pepper
- Corn and zucchini salad with feta
- Refried beans
- Mango salsa
- Guacamole
- (Vegan) cheese
- Sour cream
- Lettuce
- Tortilla wraps
- Tortilla chips
Lastly, you can also include drinks, desserts and decorations that fit to the theme. Obviously you don’t have to do that, but it can be fun. For desserts I like to stick to my favorites though like this chocolate tiramisu cake with berries or my lemon drizzle cake, especially if it’s a birthday.
I hope this gives you some inspiration for your next party and makes you excited about inviting friends or family around your table. It doesn’t need to be complicated or require a lot of preparation time. And you can really get creative.
