Easy, all-occasion ideas for entertaining at home in the Lowcountry What’s better than friends and family gathering around the supper table, trading stories and dining on home-cooked everything? Not much, as we see it. And we’re not alone: Whether it’s close relatives at the holidays or a weeknight get-together among pals, homespun entertaining is making a grand comeback. Still, whipping up hors d’oeuvres or a meal can be a feat for veteran hosts and amateurs alike. But with the right approach (and a little practice), the part of entertainer extraordinaire can become second-nature. That means you can lose the stress and enjoy the party as it plays out. And if you’re limited on time or money, join the club! Everyone’s in the same boat these days, so we’ve outlined a budget-smart plan that features dishes with minimal, locally accessible ingredients. Plus, we’ve mixed in loads of pointers to help with the process. So get comfy and read on. The party’s about to start...
Set The Stage Any good event planner has a roster of A-list venues, and believe it or not, so do you. Think about it, there’s the kitchen-patio-garden area for spring and fall, and how about the kitchen-living room-dining room combo for summer and winter? To pick what’s perfect for now, consider guest flow, temperature, and prime mingling territory. Once you’ve nailed down your party zone, anchor the action there by placing hors d’oeuvres throughout the space. Time It Right When is the right time to begin getting ready? It all depends on how you’re wired. Planning too far in advance could wear you out on the whole affair before it even begins; not planning enough can leave both cook and kitchen in disarray, and your to-do list undone. So pull out your calendar, plot backward from the party date, and schedule when you are doing what—shopping, make-ahead cooking, decorating, final prep, and so on. Keep It Simple Pick a theme and stick to it, but keep it as basic as possible. Whether it’s a Chips, Dips, & Football afternoon; a Cool-Weather Comfort Food Potluck; or New Year’s Eve Cocktails, use your theme to streamline your ideas. Caution: stick to what’s familiar. Think twice about hosting a Moroccan dinner if you and your guests don’t know a thing about Morocco... and none of you are big on couscous either.
Don’t break the bank in the name of a good time Using the recipes you see here, we’ve put together two sample menus—with both food and drink—based on steal and splurge budgets. Our estimates assume you’re cooking with a relatively well-stocked pantry and a fully equipped spice rack. Here’s the menu portion; for bar ideas, see below. Budget-Savvy Shopping Tips
Streamline Your Menu Start with hors d’oeuvres or sides you’re known for, rave-worthy creations like “Jane’s meatballs” or “Carrie’s pasta salad.” Then fill in holes with new and/or seasonal dishes. Hard & Fast Rules 1. Don’t experiment on your guests, unless you’re a bold, seasoned soul. Typically safe party dishes are those you’ve made at least once before. 2. If you fashion an ethnic menu, let guests know ahead of time and have some “safe” foods (i.e. mass-appeal basics) available. Book It Track your past hits (and misses) in a party planning notebook. Include perennial hit recipes, menus, drinks, games, winning settings, and timelines that have worked for you. Add sketches, magazine pages, or photos from your last event to help you with décor.
Serve spirits but skip those cash-draining drink bills of the past {Steal Bar} 6-8 guests
______________________________________ Bar Bill: $60 {Steal Bar} 10-12 guests
______________________________________ Bar Bill: $133