Some of us are simply built for hosting, and unfortunately, some of us aren’t – but that doesn’t mean we don’t love the process! If dinner parties are your thing but you feel like your cooking needs a little boost, this article has you covered.
Here are a few simple (and a few not so simple) ways to level up the food you’re serving at your next event. You’ll have your guests salivating and utterly satisfied by the time they head home with full bellies.
Luxury Ingredients
If you’re looking for a quick and potentially last-minute trick to impress your guests, throw a few luxury ingredients in the mix and you’ll give them something to talk about since it’s something special. Everyone likes a little luxury and if your guests feel like you’re spoiling them, they’ll leave extra happy.
Plus, you’ll get to show off your foodie knowledge such as the difference between caviar vs roe, the source of your truffles or any other trade secrets you might pick up in your research.
Stick to One Cuisine
Sticking to one cuisine or theme in your menu will help make sure everything flows and works well together, and avoid clashing flavours or styles. This is a simple way to give your menu a fun little boost and let your guests know that you put the time and effort in.
For example, you could host a Mexican night and serve tacos or enchiladas and churros for dessert. Or, show off your Italian skills with a silky pasta and tiramisu for pudding. Another idea is to use a theme such as popular dishes from the 80s!
Use Fresh Herbs and Spices
Most home cooks underestimate the power of fresh herbs and lots of spices in their food. If your recipe calls for fresh basil, do yourself a favour and remember to grab it at the store.
It can bring a freshness and a burst of flavour to your dish that it might have otherwise lacked, and simply makes the meal more special. Using fresh herbs can even add a healthy kick to your recipes.
Get Experimental
People are always impressed by things they haven’t seen before. If you’re stuck with trying to figure out what to make, you can also find recipes here and choose from a variety of recipes.
A meal from a cuisine you’ve never tried, an unfamiliar ingredient, or even just something you saw a celebrity chef make that looked different and delicious. Of course, make sure you have the necessary kitchen equipment before you decide on any outlandish recipes.
Make It From Scratch
Another final trick to impress your friends is to make everything yourself, by hand. If you’re serving soup and bread, try a homemade loaf instead of store-bought rolls. The same applies to tacos, wraps, or even pasta.
Letting your guests know that everything they’re eating was made by you, with love, makes the whole event a little more special (and a little more impressive).
