Entertaining friends at home is a great idea-- until about 3 hours before the guests arrive. You know the feeling- all the careful preparation can go out the window when those final moments unfold. Hosts like me start questioning ourselves. Do I have enough food? Will it be ready on time? Will I have time to clean up my mess, throw on a dress, and shake off my stress? But Mom once told me, "Relax. It's just food...and friends". I repeat this mantra every time!
This holiday season, I wanted to share some of my favorite easy, make-ahead, and flavorful recipes to give you that extra boost of confidence for your next get-together.
Bonus: These dishes are my top dinner-party choices and can be prepared in advance! The lamb is one of my all-time favorites. Make it early in the day, then just heat and slice when you're ready to eat. The sauce is foolproof and almost makes itself! Or, go for the Braised Beef to serve as the main, and save some of the sauce to have with pasta the day after! For the salad, prep all the ingredients and toss with the dressing at the last minute.
These are tried and true dishes that always satisfy my friends while simultaneously allowing me to spend less time fussing and more time enjoying valuable time with people I adore. That's what it's all about, right?
Plus, these recipes may inspire you to host a gathering tonight!
Turn on the music, pour some great wine and enjoy!
Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays,
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