After a neighbor invited us for a Mexican fiesta instead of an ordinary meat-and-potatoes meal and later mentioned that she was having people over for a pasta supper, I got to thinking how helpful a theme can be in making entertaining more fun for guests and hosts.
Both themes allow a lot of the real cooking to be done in advance and let the hostess accept some help from the store. The Mexican meal kicked off with salsa and guacamole with chips along with homemade empanadas, impressive but more easily made with the use of store-bought dough. I don’t know how my friend plans to precede the pasta dinner, but one smart approach would be simply to assemble an antipasto platter, possibly consisting of cured meats, Italian cheeses,and roasted peppers.
Adding a playful, interactive aspect to the Mexican dinner, this hostess set out the choices buffet style on her kitchen’s large center island and let guests serve themselves. There was a choice of pulled chicken and spicy ground beef fillings, warm tortillas, and a variety of condiments, some jarred and some fresh. She delegated margarita making to a guest.
For her pasta dinner, she was planning a typical Sunday red sauce, chocked full of meatballs, beef chunks, and sausages, to be tossed with pasta at the last minute. While the sauce simmered for hours, she’d have lots of time to prep a loaf of garlic bread, make a salad or a vegetable side, and prepare the house and herself for visitors.
If you try a themed party, be sure to consult your guests regarding their dining dislikes and dietary concerns. It would be unfortunate to have friends on a carb-free diet showing up at your place for pasta.
And, remember, the themes mentioned here are only two of the many possibilities. You could consider featuring the food of your family’s heritage or another foreign cuisine you enjoy eating in restaurants. If you have any ideas or have already experimented, please share your experiences with me and other readers.
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