With Valentine’s Day arriving midweek this year, you might have a special dinner date set for Friday or Saturday night — and if you’re on a budget, you may be doing the cooking yourself! The ol’ surf-and-turf is a favorite romantic repast, but your options are limited only by your time and creativity. The Kitchn suggests sumptuous starters such as lobster bisque and deviled eggs, main dishes such as grilled branzino and parmesan risotto with shrimp, and decadent “sweets for the sweet” such as panna cotta and dark chocolate brownies, plus adult beverages that are sure to make the mood buoyant.
Tag: recipes
The Super Bowl Is Mostly About the Snacks
Did you know that football isn’t even the top draw on Super Bowl Sunday? Electronic invitation service Evite says that 48 percent of people look forward to seeing the new $5 million-per-half-minute ads the most, and 36 percent just want to indulge in party food; the game itself comes in third at 28 percent. In other words, the best game plan for a successful, stress-free party may be to avoid muting the commercial breaks and ask guests to contribute a snack or beverage so that there are plenty of Super Bowl essentials such as wings, nachos, chili and pizza to go around.
Stage a Gameday Party Without Blowing Your Budget
Super Bowl Sunday is only a few days away, and if you’re part of the special team that’s hosting, you don’t want to blow your budget. Fortunately, there are ways to keep a Super Bowl party economical, Thrifty Little Mom says. First, get the basics for your recipes — chips, vegetables, meats, dairy products, soda, etc. — at a discount or bulk grocery store; once prepared and displayed in a festive setting, no one will notice the difference. Then, encourage your guests to bring an extra dish or drink to pass, and you’ll probably wind up with leftovers.
Make a Thanksgiving Side in Seconds
Due to their size and demands, many Thanksgiving feasts turn into potlucks; the host family provides the turkey and other core dishes, and guests bring the side dishes. Fortunately for the time-challenged chef, many home-cooked sides can take just 30 minutes or less, Southern Living says. Even a novice can whip up delectable dishes such as roasted carrots, green bean casserole, goat cheese mashed potatoes, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese in minutes for any size crowd, and all are sure to be a big hit at the dinner table. Happy Thanksgiving!
Plate A Full Fall Feast in About 24 Hours
One more day until the big feast! Still haven’t gotten a start? The good news, says Kitchn blogger Faith Durand, is that you can do all of your shopping this morning and still have an incredible Thanksgiving dinner on the table tomorrow afternoon. Her suggested menu serves up to 10 people on a budget, and includes all the essentials: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Ask your guests to bring dinner rolls, a salad and finger foods, and everyone will be thoroughly sated by nightfall tomorrow.