We're hitting peak dinner party season, and if you're looking for an easy dinner party recipe to impress your guests — you've come to the right place.
The key to hosting a good dinner party is all in the atmosphere, so make sure you're relaxed and sitting down at the same time as your guests. It's important to remember that dinner parties don't have to be perfect, either.
With that in mind the ideal dinner party recipe can be mostly made in advance, giving you time to get ready and relax before guests arrive. It can be served family-style, made ahead of time, only take 10 minutes to throw together... throw that traditional rule book away!
1
Haddock Orzotto
Hosting a dinner party but don't want to spend ALL night in the kitchen? This 10-minute smoked haddock orzotto is an absolute winner.
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2
Chickpea & Chicken Salad
This easy and delicious salad uses simple ingredients to make an impact. Taking just 20 minutes to prep and 40 minutes for the various parts to cook in the oven.
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3
Pasta Puttanesca
A simple pasta dish packed with flavours of the Mediterranean, this one-pan puttanesca recipe will be a surefire quick and easy hit with guests — plus there's only one pan to wash up afterwards!
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4
Portuguese Fish Stew
This traditional dish can be made with any seasonal, sustainable fish.
Unlike a classic risotto, this version can be left to cook in the oven.
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6
Mexican Pork Pibil
Pibil is a traditional slow-roasted pork dish that uses annatto, a paste made from the berries of the achiote tree, which gives it a beautiful deep red colour and earthy, peppery flavour.
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7
Peri-peri Chicken Paella
Guests will love this fiery paella made with chicken instead of the classic fish, chargrilled red peppers, chunky tomatoes and a splash of lime juice. Keep the dish in the centre of the table for a very laid-back but social affair.
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8
Spaghetti Alle Vongole
The Italians are flavour masters and this classic pasta dish is truly delicious. Clams are very easy to cook and their juices mingle deliciously with the spaghetti. This is perfect for a quick dinner party fix, either as a starter or the main event. It’s so quick to make that you’ll have plenty of time to entertain your guests.
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9
Wild Mushroom Risotto
An earthy risotto like this one is a wonderful option. This Italian staple takes surprisingly little time to prepare and is delicious served with a green salad and crusty loaf of bread.
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10
Onion Tarte Tatin
Onion tart tatin looks impressive but is deceptively easy to make. Serve with a sprinkling of goat’s cheese and rocket salad for a starter or a light meal to impress.
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11
Fish Pie
Nothing beats a classic fish pie. Break with tradition and top with puff pastry, rather than the classic mashed potato, and present in a beautiful serving dish for a dinner party-worthy main.
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12
Quick Pan-Seared Scallops
These five-minute seared scallops are such a quick and easy starter (or main with lots of sides).
Chicken cacciatore is such a classic dish, and it never gets any less delicious. Made with braised chicken, cooked in a flavoursome tomato sauce - it's an easy dinner party win.
A whole side of salmon is actually super simple to cook, but still looks like an absolute showstopper! We love this bruschetta salmon, topped with a tomatoey dressing.
Tuscan chicken is a delightful dinner recipe, and would certainly go down a treat at dinner parties. Becky's version is also gluten-free, which is a win-win if you're serving up for Coeliac guests.
Keep it small and simple. People have different levels of comfort with entertaining, says Coughlin, and if throwing a huge holiday bash isn't easy for you, invite a few friends over for tacos instead. ...
Fill guests in on the plans when they arrive — when dinner should be ready, who else is coming and where the bathroom is. As the host, you set the tone for the evening. Guests will feel your tension, so if you aren't relaxed, guests will feel tense and unwelcome. Make sure everyone is comfortable.
Without a dining table, seating arrangements offer a chance to get creative. Arrange the space with a mix of floor cushions, ottomans, and maybe a few low tables for guests to set down their drinks and plates. Ensure everyone has a comfortable spot with easy access to the food and beverages.
The earlier you start working on the party, the less you'll have to rush to get everything ready by the big day. “Make lists, set a schedule, and tackle tasks gradually to avoid last-minute stress,” says Susan Ashley Boykin, owner of North-Carolina-based party-planning company Social Conceptions.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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