We threw a little party a couple nights ago for some local female business owners (@bossladiesmke) and predominantly used items from my fridge and I thought, why not write a blog post about it???

HOW TO THROW TOGETHER A LAST MINUTE YET STILL CHIC DINNER PARTY FOR UNDER $50 WITH THINGS YOU ALREADY HAVE.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE. The easiest thing to do is utilize common items most people already have in their fridge. Only buy items to help doctor them up like fresh citrus and herbs to brighten flavors or cured meats to make a beautiful charcuterie board
THINK ABOUT THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN USE INGREDIENTS TO ADD FLAVOR & TEXTURE - raw vs. roasted vs. pickled.
PRESENTATION IS KEY. It can make normal, everyday food appear special.
SHOP AT YOUR OWN HOUSE. If you have any holiday decorations, candles, flowers, or even some greens from the bushes in your backyard, use them to decorate. It will make it feel more festive and special.

The 5 categories of items to include in a cocktail style party: Crostini, Dip, an Instaworthy Charcuterie Board, Roasted Veggies and Something Sweet. That’s it!

CROSTINI

CROSTINI

Crostini's are a party favorite and are tasty with just about any topping on them. Cut a loaf into slices, take regular sandwich bread and cut into quarters or slice a sweet potato into circles. Add a little olive oil and toast in the oven for flavor.

They can be made sweet or savory depending on what you have available.
I like to add something CREAMY for the base and something FRESH over the top for a pop of flavor.
You can use anything! Marinara sauce, cheese, jam, nuts, fresh herbs, a cut-up apple or pear, mashed, canned beans, caramelized onions, balsamic, salad dressing, etc. GET CREATIVE!
Don’t feel like you only need to serve one kind...use your ingredients to create a variety.
After plating, drizzle with a little olive oil at the end for presentation.

DIPS

Dip

Who doesn’t like dip? It’s a party favorite.
You can use crackers, chips, or fresh chopped veggies.
The base of the dip can be made with anything from greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo or even a can of mashed beans. We made a dip from a bottle of salsa, a can of black beans, and some leftover pineapple; finished it off by broiling some cheese on top and it got DEMOLISHED.
Be sure to add citrus and herbs to brighten the flavor.

CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Charcuterie Board

The highlight of any dinner party, in my opinion, is a charcuterie board which can easily be thrown together with items from home.
A variety of textures & flavors make a charcuterie board a success including hard and soft meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, jam, honey, nuts, olives, pickles, etc
Assembly and presentation are important so I start by placing any jam or jelly, olives or pickles you have around and putting them on a cute dish to add color and provide additional flavor options.
Then lay out your cheese and meat options. Remember to play with texture: cheeses can be sliced and crumbled into bite size pieces or you can even use pre-sliced sandwich cheese and cut into quarters.
Deli meat can be piled up, fanned out, or folded in half to create different textures and to let the guests know the flavors are different.
Finish the board with crackers, nuts, and fresh or dried fruit to fill in the gaps. My personal favorite is a an apple cut into thin slices which is both affordable and delicious.

ROASTED VEGGIES

Roasted Vegetables

If you are anything like me, you don’t want to feel guilty after eating like a monster at a party, so having a healthy option to nibble on makes me feel more balanced. Everything in moderation, right?
Take an assortment of fresh or frozen veggies and roast in the oven with olive oil and herbs until golden brown. Serve in a bowl alone or tossed with rice or quinoa. Top with fresh herbs, olive oil, or balsamic for a little added flavor and presentation. VOILA!

SOMETHING SWEET

We didn’t actually serve these cookies (they were just for my family) but look at them!

Something Sweet

For those with a sweet tooth, a creative little dessert is a must.
You can keep this simple or go all out.
We took a few partially used chocolate bars and broke them into large chunks and plated with some fresh berries. But if you have a box of cupcake mix or the ingredients for Rice Krispie treats, you can always doctor them up with chocolate chips or peanut butter for something gooey and delicious.

and DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE 3 DAY CLEANSE. You have until Saturday 12/29 to place an order for pickup or delivery on 1/2. Details here: ORDER 3-DAY CLEANSE HERE!!