5 Meal Ideas for a Dinner Party with Friends

Are you looking for a great new way to break the ice at a new location? You may also be searching for the perfect theme for a family get-together. It may simply be your turn to host a shindig for friends. Whatever the reason may be, you need to put on your dinner party thinking cap. Here are 5 ideas to get you started.

1. Treat Your Friends to Southern Pulled Pork

Of all the various cooking classes San Francisco has to offer, the ones that will stick with you will be the simple ones. Naturally, as you progress in skill, you can move your way up to more complex dishes. But to start with, you’ll want to experiment in a direction that is natural and comfortable for your skillset.

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, yet still want to play it safe, why not start with a classic pulled pork? You can use Boston butt or fresh chilled ham. Add some beer to the mix to give it a sparkling, savory flavor. Place the pork in a roasting pan. Add in some spices such as garlic, cumin, or paprika.

2. Wow Your Friends with a Chili Dish

Don’t fancy yourself a gourmet? You can still impress your friends with an easy but very satisfying chili dish. Just gather together some very basic ingredients that include canned beans and ground beef. Garnish it up with a pinch of onions and perhaps some fresh tomatoes. You’ll have a classic chili dish in no time.

3. Serve Braised Beef Short Ribs in Style

As you get a bit more comfy with your cooking skills, you can up the ante. A classic dish of braised beef short ribs is the perfect meal for an informal social gathering. Your best bet will be to cook them slowly with vegetables in red wine. A bit of beef broth is the perfect item to add to this delicious mix.

Keep them on a slow cooking groove until they are so tender they are ready to melt straight off the bone. You can use the standard size of ribs or order a special smaller variety. Either way, you can pair them with potatoes and classic green beans. Dip the beans in butter to set them off in a piquant flavor style.

4. Serve Up Some Baked Fish with Fennel

One of the main dish recipes for a larger dinner party should reflect your commitment to healthy eating. Baked fish with fennel and tomatoes is the perfect dish to fit this criterion. This is the kind of dish that takes some skill but doesn’t cost much.

Add some fennel to the filleted fish of your choice. Throw in some olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and lemon zest. Once you’ve mixed it all up, you can then proceed to roast it for a half-hour. You’ll then need to transfer it to a larger skillet to begin the saute process. The entire dish will take an hour to cook.

5. Whip Up a Festive Chicken Enchilada Meal

Are you ready to bring a festive touch of goodness to your table? You can regale your friends and family members with a classic dish that comes from south of the border. A heaping helping of chicken enchiladas is much easier to whip up than you may think. It’s a classic recipe that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to make.

You can start with 4 chicken breasts. Let them simmer in a freshly prepared pot of water. Once they are ready, chop the breasts finely. You will then saute 1 cup of chopped onion, 1 cup of chopped Jalapeno pepper, and 1 can of green chili peppers. Add 2 tablespoons of butter.

The Time to Plan Your Party is Now

You can use the ideas listed above as a handy starting point for your next dinner party. Don’t be afraid to mix and match to fit the needs of your friends. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to entertaining at a social gathering. These tips are merely here to point you in a good direction.