Wine and Cheese
Pretty simple. I just looked up various parings and bought accordingly, spread out cheese on boards with wine parings. Be sure to label. You can do blind tastings and stuff but we didn't make it to serious. Played a little jazzy music and had these really cute little wooden trays from Target that held a wine glass and cheese in one hand (you can also get them at Pottery Barn for much more).
Chili Party
Mmmm. I love chili in the fall. For ours, we made pork verde chili, lamb-chorizo chili , steak chili , veggie, and white chicken chili. Set out bowls of salsa, fritos, crackers, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard etc.
Smoke It Up
Nate has a smoker so we put it to good use in the summer. On a nice evening you can smoke some ribs, beer in the booty chicken and about any other meat that tickles your fancy. For sides I whipped up a little curry potato salad, baked beans, grilled corn on the cob (this is fun to let people put all of their own fixins on, like the fair) and cole slaw. We busted out the old fashioned ice cream maker here and everyone wanted their chance to churn. Memories...Dont' forget to spike some fresh lemonaid with vodka. Ahhh, summertime.
Fondue
Cheese with bread, apples and veggies first, followed by oil and meats for entree and chocolate with fruits, pretzels, cakes etc. for dessert. I would suggest borrowing a fondue pot or two so you are not washing in between and also, not to invite too many peps, as your forks will get all tangled and stuff wont cook as nicely.
Taco Bar
This is an excuse for me to use my fiesta wear that's been passed down from my grandma. Set out all of the Mexican fixins. Tortillas, beans, meats, cheeses, sourcream with lime folded in, cabbage, grilled fish, anything you like. Of course, you have to make margaritas and caronas. Do an "adult" pinata for later.
We Have Crabs
We do this each year during the holidays when you can't eat another bite of turkey. Just cover your tables in newspaper, buy a gob of crab legs and boil them up, melt some butter for everyone. Bibs are cute and necessary. Serve with wine and beer.
White Trash Bash
Kegger of Beast. Georgia Satellites. Mullets. Cutoffs. Behave accordingly.
School Lunch
I have never made this for a dinner party but Nate likes it on occasion. Pigs in a blanket (hot dogs, processed cheese slice, pillsbury croissant), chicken nuggets, frozen crinkle fries, fruit cocktail and a half pint of chocolate milk. Add hair net if you wish.
80's Celebs
This is another good dress-up party. Nate and I went as Lonnie Anderson and Burt Reynolds. I just set out 80's stuff. Twinkies, Candy Necklaces etc. Obvious soundtrack.
Oscars Party
My girlfriends and I do this party every year at a different house. We each bring a dish-app. entree, dessert. Champagne is always a good bet for drinks. Have the ballots for the movie winners (you can do fashion awards as well). To really class it up, wear your old prom dresses and act like a real fancy pants.
Progressive Dinner Party
I have not done this one yet, but really want to. Starter at one house, salad at another, entree at another, etc. The only cavaet would be the drinking and driving factor. Maybe you have a preg. friend or live in a subway city.
Fancy Comfort Dinner
I really wouldn't call this a theme dinner but sometime on a nice cold evening when you're in the mood for comfort food and may be having a dinner party. You can fancy it up a bit this way. Make a meatloaf as you normally would but don't cook quite at much, drain and wrap in a puff pastry. Brush with egg wash and bake until golden brown. Serve with mashed potatoes laced with gorgonzola cheese and a goat cheese and cheddar macaroni. Fresh green beans in a bacon bundle are a nice green to go along with this.
Holiday Cocktail Party
We do this about every year as well. I love warm weather drinks that you can add fun stuff to. Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, fresh marshmallow, pep. sticks, whipped cream. Hot cider with whiskey, hot damn and cinnamon sticks. Coffee with kaluah etc. Lots of fun cocktails too. You can do a signature cocktail for the evening. This last year we did a pear and rosemary martini that was delicious. We usually buy whatever seasonal holiday beer a local brewery has at the time and just make lots of noshes. Recipes for those are on another list.
Low Country Shrimp Boil
This is a Jones' favorite. If you have a turkey fryer, that's what we use. Just add shrimp, mussles, corn on the cob halves, baby new potatoes, sausage, seasoning, and salt and pepper. This feeds a ton.
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