It’s summer, we’re vaccinated, we’re tucking away our masks, and it’s time to entertain again. If you’re looking around wondering what that might entail, don’t worry. I’ve put together a guide for the basics, detailing easy-to-make bites and cocktails, so that you and your vaccinated party guests can celebrate gathering again.
You can decide how complex or simple you want to make it, but always remember that ease does not mean low effort. The simpler your preparation, the more elegant, and the more time you can spend gathering with your friends.
The theme of the party is up to you, but create the type of party you know you can accomplish. Look at your dishware, flatware, and even ingredients around the house. Don’t be afraid to mismatch plates and glassware to create a more casual, inviting party. Swap ingredients in recipes for things you already have. Alter the recipes for your benefit, and the party will feel that much easier on your guests.
Plan a Perfectly Stress-Free Menu
For cocktails, don’t think you have to shake up complex cocktails for your crowd. Pick something with just a few ingredients, like this Cucumber Mint Spritz. It uses a good quality spirit and ingredients you probably have around the house as garnish.
For hors d’oeuvres, I heavily believe in Ina Garten’s rules—serve everything at room temperature, and don’t make everything yourself. The grocery store is your friend! Find good quality crackers, your favorite cheese, and fig preserves. Assemble the bites yourself, or put it out on a platter for everyone to make themselves. Look for dips and spreads from your favorite local business, and serve it with two to three vegetables. For a great charcuterie board, revisit our guide to putting together your best one yet. If you’re looking to do a little extra, try our Grilled Peppers & Ricotta for a lovely summertime bite. You can grill and assemble right before your guests arrive, or even cook the peppers with a friend and make it a show around the grill.
When it comes to the main event, I advise against anything that would take you more than 30 minutes to serve. You don’t want to leave your guests for too long, and you don’t want to be stressed in your kitchen. Pick simple and easy. Low and slow stews like Red Wine Beef Ragu are perfect. It must be made in advance, you can throw it in the oven and forget about it until it’s time to serve. Right before serving, all you do is shred the meat and cook the pasta. On the other side of the coin, quick cooking entrees like Spaghetti & Clams come together in a flash, require just a few ingredients, and are an absolute showstopper for a dinner party.
For dessert, Greenville is full of wonderful local bakeries that can delight your guests’ sweet tooth—so that you don’t have to. Pick up a dozen cookies or tarts from Bake Room or a crowd-pleasing pie from Swamp Rabbit Cafe. If you’re wanting to pull out all the stops, homemade Key Lime Pie is perfect for summer. Plus, you can make it the day before—leaving you free to effortlessly pull it out of the fridge and serve to your guests. Pat yourself on the back afterwards; you pulled off a post-Covid dinner party. Who knew we’d see the day?
Photo by Jack Roberts Photography.
