FUSS FREE DINNER PARTY HOSTING
Want to have your friends round for dinner, but the idea of hosting is leaving you feeling anxious and stressed out? Evelyn is here to show you that hosting doesn’t have to be complicated, involve hours in the kitchen, cost a small fortune, or involve running around trying to make your house pristine. All that’s required for a successful evening, is good conversation and tasty food (and we can certainly help with the latter).
Top Tips for Fuss Free Hosting
With the cold nights setting in and money being a little tighter post Christmas plus the rising cost of energy, Evelyn is here to show you just how easy hosting can be with her 5 top tips for fuss free hosting.
Keep it simple
This is my number one tip. Think 1 pot dishes, slow cooker magic, and sharing platters. No need to fuss with multiple dishes or fancy presentation, all your guests need is tasty food. Alternatively invite your guests to bring a dish. You don’t want to spend hours after your guests have left tidying up, having used every utensil and saucepan in your kitchen. Check out my recipe suggestions below, each of these dishes can be prepared ahead of time, simply reheat when your guests arrive. I’ve also provided side dish recommendations to take these meals to the next level.
Smoked Aubergine Goulash: serve with freshly baked crusty rolled and a green garden salad. Top tip: Buy the pre-baked ones, pop them in the oven before your guests arrive. Nothing smells better or is more inviting than the smell of freshly baked bread.
Hearty Quinoa Stew: serve with tortilla chips and fresh guacamole.
Chickpea and Lentil Dahl: Serve with a fresh mango salsa, coconut yogurt and a naan bread.
Keep it casual
Don’t put too much pressure to make everything from scratch, your guests won’t care if you haven’t handmade every element. Nor will they care if your plates and cutlery don’t match (go for the homely vibe!). They will just be very happy to have their evening meal provided. Don your slippers and invite your guests to bring theirs! If your guests would like to contribute, ask them to bring their own drinks. Place the drinks in an easily accessible place and encourage your guests to help themselves.
Keep it comfortable
Encourage your guests to wear something comfortable - no dress code here (one less thing to worry about). Keep it laid back, lose fitting and cosy.
Keep it chilled
For winter hosting, you want to focus on making your home super cosy. This can be achieved with the following six steps:
Dim the lights
Light some candles
Pop on a diffuser with a warming winter scent
Choose a chilled dinner party playlist (we love Jenny’s Chill Out Playlist)
Purchase some dried flowers (unlike fresh flowers you can use these again and again, and they smell great too)
Place extra blankets on the sofa and encourage your guests to wrap themselves up.
Keep it fun
Take the pressure off entertaining and get the board games out. Choose games that aren’t too complicated, too long, or too intellectual that may alienate some guests. Some of my favourites include Dobble and Articulate.
Hopefully you find my top tips useful. It’s about taking the stress out of hosting, so you also enjoy the experience.
Keep an eye out for our next release of recipes this February, including dishes to create the ultimate Valentines feast (with minimal fuss!)
