This is an exhaustive list, so prepare yourself.
In my 40 years of living, I have landed on a few certainties in life. I’ll be sharing some of them in the coming weeks as I generally process what it means to turn another year older. Here’s the first round:
Life with people is hard.
Life without people isn’t living.
And so, I attempt to celebrate people as often as I can. Which only translates to one thing: food.
I tend to follow a very simple formula when hosting that I rarely deviate from. I focus on a main course that’s mainly one pot, and that can be done ahead. I stick to a simple salad I’m never sick of. I generally will buy a good dessert if I don’t feel like making one ( but I’ll share my favorite recipes for those, too). A good bottle of wine, some good coffee beans for a final sip with cake and no one leaves hungry or disappointed.
Here are my tried and true main course recipes that I’ve turned to again and again when we’re feeding a crowd.
Winter:
In winter I focus on aromatic and comforting meals that take their time in the oven- this way, I can get started way ahead of when guests arrive- sometimes even a full day ahead. If that’s what you do, make sure to heat it back up low and slow so that your kitchen smells just how you want your guests to feel- at home.
Pork Ragu:
http://www.dinneralovestory.com/instant-dinner-party/
Coq au Vin:
https://www.theendlessmeal.com/julia-childs-coq-au-vin/
Lasagna:
https://www.ahomechef.com/new-blog/2020/4/30/homemade-lasagna-a-la-marcella-hazan
Spring:
Lamb is traditionally a springtime meal, and this is a gloriously easy one to serve to a crowd. Spring can come in toasty, or bring a blizzard. Shepherd’s pie is always a crowd-pleaser for either forecast. But I also love to use the freshest veg possible for a Banh Mi sandwich, and it’s a super fun way to host.
Banh Mi Sandwiches:
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/8031494/banh-mi-with-crispy-tofu/
Four Hour Lamb:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/4-hour-lamb-recipe-2105155
Shepherd’s Pie:
Summer:
In the summer, you want to wander around outside with a beer and a meal you can hold in your hand- and it doesn’t always have to be a hot dog.
Chicken Shawarma:
https://www.skinnytaste.com/shawarma-spiced-grilled-chicken-with-garlic-yogurt/
Cuban Pulled Pork ( for Cuban sandwiches or tacos)
https://www.recipetineats.com/juicy-cuban-mojo-pork-roast-chef-movie-recipe/
Burgers and dogs on repeat forever. Pair with a cucumber salad or peach caprese salad, make or buy a potato salad, and call it a day.
Fall:
Everything should be orange in the fall, it’s a rule. Aside from our usual turkey and stuffing fair, these are the repeat offenders.
Mulligatawny Soup:
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_mulligatawny_soup/
Butternut Squash Gnocchi:
https://www.wellplated.com/italian-sausage-butternut-squash-gnocchi/
Mango Chicken Curry:
https://sweetcayenne.com/mango-chicken-curry/
Chicken with Roasted Grapes:
https://www.seriouseats.com/smitten-kitchens-harvest-roast-chicken-with-grapes-olives-shallots
This is my standard salad that I would eat every single day, and serve in a big bowl at every meal:
Argula
Shaved Fennel
Shaved Red Onion
Shaved Parm ( or feta, or crumbled blue)
A smattering of your favorite fresh herbs ( honestly, any of them- I like to use parsley and basil together, and cilantro and dill together).
MAYBE a handful of nuts. ( I prefer toasted pine nuts or walnuts, but you do you)
A simple dressing of lemon juice (1 part), extra virgin olive oil (2 parts), dijon (1 tsp), hot honey (1 tbs) , S&P….put this on everything.
Desserts:
Sometimes, I make them. When I do, it’s generally cake because I don’t have the patience to dole out little rounds of cookie dough in even proportions ( and also…. I don’t really like cookies that much. I know.) When I have it in me to bake, these are the ones I turn to:
Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies (They’re not really hers)
And my own shortbread, recipe here:
Shortbread Cookies
8 oz/1 lb or 1 package Kerrygold, unsalted butter
¼ sea salt ( this could be upped, in my opinion)
¾ powdered sugar
2 cups King Arthur flour
½ tsp vanilla
Use any cookie cutters of choice, or simply cut into squares and place on baking sheet . Sprinkle with granulated sugar before baking. Don’t worry about overcrowding the baking sheet- these don’t spread.
Bake for 20 mins at 325 degrees F (depending on thickness)
But also- get amazing vanilla gelato, make a decent espresso, and viola- affogato. You’re so fancy, and you didn’t even have to do anything.
Eating your words is hard work. Admitting you were wrong about something, changing your mind, EVOLVING for God’s sake can feel like a full-time job sometimes. Make sure you’re nourishing yourself- and others- in the process.
Love to you.