Comments on: How to give an upscale dinner party without an upscale budget………. http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/ News and Views From High Above Dry Creek Valley Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:05:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: brooke http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-246 brooke Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:23:19 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-246 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. 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.

]]> By: brooke http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-245 brooke Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:21:02 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-245 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!) 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!)

]]> By: Tony http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-242 Tony Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:49:42 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-242 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 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

]]> By: Maggie http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-240 Maggie Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:50:50 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-240 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.. 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..

]]> By: Steve Hoeft http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Steve Hoeft Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:10:11 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-236 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 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

]]> By: brooke http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-235 brooke Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:11:10 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-235 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! 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!

]]> By: Allison English http://benchlandblog.com/2009/01/how-to-give-an-upscale-dinner-party-without-an-upscale-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-234 Allison English Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:03:14 +0000 http://benchlandblog.com/?p=1010#comment-234 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 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

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