I love to entertain. In my book there’s nothing better than having a group of friends over for some food and wine. When I throw a dinner party-I can’t help but want everything to be perfect. I’m more about the ambiance and comfort level than I am about minutia but I do like those extra touches like: fresh flowers, matching dishes, nice glassware, and aesthetically pleasing platters of food.
To achieve this-it can get expensive, especially when you’re a single gal in your twenties with a limited budget. How do I throw a dinner party on my budget that doesn’t appear or feel like it’s on a shoestring? I want to wine and dine my friends the way I like to be wined and dined so it takes some creativity……….
I do a few different things to ensure that the foods served are not only tasty but also wholesome, fresh, and wine friendly. Sure, it’s nice to calorically splurge at a dinner party but I don’t like to force folks who like to eat healthy into chowing down on nothing but butter soaked and carb loaded dishes (also cheap to make!) for the evening.
The staples of my dinner parties are always fresh seasonal veggies, good fresh chewy baguettes, and some really nice artisan cheese. The nice thing about savory or filling foods is that a little goes a long way. Here are some samples of appetizers from my last dinner party:
* asparagus spears (cold) with a garlic aoili for dipping ($3-4)
* bruschetta with a tomato, basil, garlic, and olive oil topping (baguette: $3, tomatoes: $3, basil $2)
* baked figs stuffed with goat cheese (2 figs per person $4; small package of high-end goat cheese $3-stick with the good stuff instead of buying a whole log of the cheaper stuff since you only need a little)
To the make the wine pairing simple and affordable I asked everyone to bring a bottle of an Italian red or sparkling wine to dinner (this makes it a wine dinner so it’s ok to ask for everyone to bring some wine-sort of like a Supper Club. Plus remember-none of my friends are under the illusion that I’m rich. They’re in the same boat). I almost always love to open a bottle of the Michel-Schlumberger Syrah - when my guests discover this wine, it makes the whole meal special. And Italian reds pretty much go with anything thanks to their higher acidity and sparkling is always a nice starter or a good wine for cheeses or fruit dishes (ex: prosciutto and melon or slightly tangy cheese with an off-dry prosecco, yum). Plus there are plenty of options at $25 or under.
Main meal: Italian style risotto with wild mushrooms (mushrooms $8-10, rice $2, 
small piece of fresh parmigiana $3). I like risotto the way they do it in Italy-nice and light without too much butter, cream, and other heavy additives. The point is the ingredients-if they’re good they should be showcased, not masked with all of these things. leaving a little more moisture in the rice and skipping the mascarpone or heavy butter recipes gives you a nice creamy risotto that is ready to be topped with some freshly grated flavorful Italian cheese and some seasonal sauteed wild mushrooms. Buonissimo! A beautiful dish that is wine friendly and satiating.
I’m an advocate of serving one flavorful dish that can sit on warm for a bit on it’s own rather than trying to balance the many pots and pans and oven tempatures is takes for a meat and potatoes type meal and risking overcooking or drying out anything.
For dessert: a simple apple galette with a store bought pastry crust (apples $4, crust $3, cream $1) sitting in the refrigerator all ready to pop into the oven with a dollup of fresh whipped cream.
The total cost of this meal that served 4-6 people? About $45. This included some fresh flowers ($4)for the table. The wine was a $25 bottle that I contributed out of my own wine collection (but I didn’t have to buy it the same day-therefore it’s almost free!) I didn’t need more vino than this due to the 4 other wonderful wines that were brought to dinner.
Times are tough out there for people right now-that’s what we keep being reminded of- but I can still throw a dinner party or two if it only costs me less than a dinner for 1 out on the town.
What strategies do you have for entertaining without going overboard with your budget? Let’s share some ideas…and even have a party together!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
A few of my favorites for the early winter months are a good Coq au Vin made with boneless Chicken thighs- I have been finding organic chicken at amazing prices. I stock up and put thm in the freezer for when I need them litterally $1-$2 each package of 6 thighs. Since it is in a stew no one can even taste the difference. This also goes for a good pot roast, beef or lamb stew or fricasse. These meats can also be used for pasta sauces and lighter fare during the Spring and Summer seasons. Since I am a single female whom enjoys cooking and entertaining- I find myself creating a dinner party around what it is I would like to eat during the season. These recepies can be made ahead during the day- so no fuss when guests arrive.
Being single – it really is not practicle to make a big stew of sorts. But add a few guests and this lets you have your wish. This enables me to scan the isles for the main meats- then freeze- then plan the date. It also allows impromptu gatherings since my freezer is stocked. This way all I need is – good fresh bread- potatoes, rice or noodles and fresh vegtables. Freezing is an art- and if done well can save someone tremendous amounts of money. Bon Appetite
Allison-
good point! I love stocking my freezer with good chicken buys-and stew is definitely a hearty and satisfying meal that can be fancied up by a little wine and doesn’t cost a bundle. I’m thinking about crab stew right now…….. tis the season!
I saw a show last night about a food scientist studying the quality of the food. He showed that serving inexpensive food displayed well will taste better to most people than really fancy expensive food displayed poorly. It’s the whole “you eat with your eyes” sort of thing.
I have a group of wine friend that the host provides the main meal. Guest provide the appetizers and the desert. Everyone brings wine. This gives the host a bit more budget for food. It works for this group very well.
The host will often set the wine mood by telling everyone the bottle or sometimes the bottles they plan on serving. So a Spanish red will set that theme for the appetizers, mail course and the desert too.
We used a couple of Costco rotisserie chickens cut up nicely with a sauce made from the juice of the chicken. We use really nice plates and worked hard to make the dish attractive. Dinner for 6 for under $20… Not bad in these times
With proper planning, you can make just about any menu budget friendly. My parents were big party throwers, there were always people at the house even if it was just cocktails and hourderves. Looking at some of my mothers old cookbooks, and menus from parties she threw, it’s amazing to see how afforadable many of the dishes were. Having people bring items (although you lose control over the whole menu) is also cost effective.
We host a party on Tax Day every year for our friends. The menu is always comfort foods. Last year we made southern foods, mac & cheese, Greens, fried chicken and pecan pie with whiskey sauce etc. We served bourbon. Another year, I did eggplant and sausage stew with polenta & we asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine under $10 and made it a blind tasting.
This year the theme is Mexican (I think) I want to make a big pot of pozole and of course tamales! Perhaps serve it all with some Spanish and South American Reds . (ok and some tequila) My neice just returned from the Guadalupe Valley, in Mexico and brought me some wine and there are lots of decent Spanish and SA wines under $20 these days. Flan for dessert! mmm..
Good ideas, Brooke. I would only add one thing — if you grew the tomatoes and basil and garlic yourself the cost (and quality) of the meal would be even better. What’s more special (and cheap) than a tomato salad picked from your own garden? Organic, of course…
tony
tony-
absolutely! tomatoes and basil are luckily extremely easy to grow. Even for me! Except I don’t have a backyard or garden………………. but the winery where I work does (thanks tony!)
steve-
that’s my favorite kind of dinner party. Everyone pitches in sort of like a potluck and not only does it place less pressure and expense on the host but it allows everyone to contribute a little bit of their own tastes or ‘flavor’ to the meal.