Dinner Parties 101

By: Rachel Zuercher

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start!” -Ina Garten

Cooking dinner with friends is one of the easiest and most fun ways to finish off the day. And there are so many ways to customize and make it fit your lifestyle. Whether you grab some friends and have some apps in the lounge on South Campus, or you try making your mom’s lasagna recipe in your apartment at Home Props, you really can’t go wrong. You can even create a Facebook event and make it the real deal! Here’s a quick guide to show you that cooking with friends is the way to go (and not as difficult as you might think)!

APPS, APPS, APPS

Cheese. And a lot of it.

There are a few necessities when it comes to making the ultimate cheese board. You’ll want a few different types of cheese, to start. Try a hard cheese like aged gouda, cheddar, or manchego (this one from Trader Joe’s is a personal fave). Next, go for a soft, creamy cheese like the ever-reliant brie or a chevre like Boursin (I could eat this stuff with a spoon). And lastly, try branching out with a Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese or a moldy blue cheese that might surprise you!

Now, onto the spreads.

Honey isn’t a want, but a need. Drizzle it over brie and prosciutto, or top it over a piece of bread with blue cheese. You can’t go wrong. A grainy mustard will add a nice bite if you want something tangy, or go for a fig spread or other fruit preserves for something sweet!

All the meat.

Salami. Sopressata. Prosciutto. Smoked salmon. If you think it’ll taste good, pile it on!

Fruits n’ Veggies

Add whatever’s in season for a fresh, healthy way to round out your cheese board! Since it’s late in the summer, try strawberries, peaches, or melon (and of course, grapes)!

No skimping on the carbs!

Crackers AND bread are the way to go. I know this is just an appetizer, but who doesn’t love options?

THE MAIN MEAL WITH YOUR MAINS

Now that you have your appetizer ready to go, it’s time to prep for the main meal. Pour yourself a glass of wine and get started. It is good to have a game plan, so you can hand off jobs to your friends and make the process simpler and faster. And you can snack on the cheese board as you cook!

A True Classic

One of the easiest shareable meals is Lasagna (check out this meatless option, too)! Pair it with a Caesar salad and garlic bread...what more could you want? For a different Italian style, try this Mushroom Risotto. Creamy, cheesy goodness.

Taco Tuesday

Celebrate a Tuesday (or any day for that matter) because umm...tacos?! This is always a crowd pleaser, giving everyone the opportunity to personalize with their own toppings.

For the Adventurous...

Roast a whole chicken! This is a personal favorite and you can channel your inner Ina! It seems daunting and honestly raw whole chickens freak me out, but you will surprise yourself (and your friends) with how good it turns out!

Finally, for an easy one-pot meal

Make this Thai Red Curry. With a large pot of rice and this flavorful curry full of veggies, you’re good to go. And trust me, it’s sure to become an all-time favorite.

COOKING WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Who doesn’t love sitting around a table together enjoying a nice glass of wine with good friends? You can bond over how good the food you made was, or laugh about how much you might have just failed trying to cook something fancy. And hey, lazy girl pro-tip: it’s a lot less work than just cooking for yourself because everyone can contribute! And, if you host, you get the leftovers so no cooking for you the next night!

The dinner table is often a sacred place for college kids. It’s a place where we have spent many nights with our families and friends whether it’s for special occasions and holidays, or just a typical weeknight meal. Making dinner with your good friends away at college brings a little bit of home right here to Nova. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I have!