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Easy dinner party ideas

November 4, 2013 by Katie Bryson

Dinner parties can be a bit stressful, especially when you’re a parent and you don’t have much time between putting the kids to bed and welcoming your guests through the door.

So i’ve come up with a couple of recipes for your repertoire that’ll give you a bit of extra time to play with. The kind of dishes that don’t need much in the way of cooking and can just be constructed, yet look quite fancy are what we’re talking about here.

Creamy salmon, cucumber and horseradish pots – layer up smoked salmon and cucumber in pretty glasses and top with ricotta cheese beaten to a fluff with chopped dill, lemon zest and a touch of horseradish.

Salmon, cucumber and ricotta pots

Photo by Sharron Gibson

Get the recipe here>>>

Mini chocolate oreo trifles – super easy to put together and even easier to scoff in about 60 seconds! The combination of dark chocolate infused custard with sultry cherry compote and crunchy oreos is pretty intoxicating stuff.

Oreo trilfes

Photo by Sharron Gibson

Get the recipe here>>>

I’m entering this particular recipe into Sarah Maison Cupcake’s brand new event Dead Easy Desserts, which encourages people to share their pudding ideas that take 30 minutes or less to throw together… hop on over if you need some inspiration or just fancy looking at some tasty pictures!

Dead Easy Desserts

And here are a couple more recipes from the Good Food Channel which I made for the last photoshoot that are dead easy to make but will give your culinary image a sure-fire boost

Nigella Lawson’s Spiced nuts – ideal for slinging in a bowl in the middle of the table as guests arrive – they’re delicious when they’re still warm and the sweet, salty, spicy combo will have everyone necking those pre-dinner drinks in no time!

Nigella's spiced nuts

Photo by Sharron Gibson

Get the recipe here>>>

Adrian Richardson’s Bacon jam – serve it up with the cheese board and watch people melt as the sticky salty sweetness takes hold. It also makes a great gift if you package it up all lovely.

Bacon Jam

Photo by Sharron Gibson

Get the recipe here>>>

Bacon Jam with cheeseboard

Photo by Sharron Gibson

I hope some of these ideas give you a bit of inspiration for some easy entertaining over the winter months. If you give any of them a try do come back and let me know how you got on with the recipes – I love hearing your experiences!

Thanks again to Sharron Gibson of The Image Garden for such beautiful photography.

Filed Under: 1 Featured Posts, 1 Featured Recipes, Desserts, Dinner Recipes, Party, Quick

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Comments

  1. Beth Sachs (@jamandcream) says

    November 4, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Loving the sound of the Oreo trifles

    • Katie Bryson says

      November 4, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Thanks Beth – they are just a little bit naughty, but their easy peasiness makes them oh so appealing!!!!

  2. Jeanne @ Cooksister says

    November 5, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    Oooh, I may have to nick that smoked salmon idea! ;o)

    • Katie Bryson says

      November 5, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      Go right ahead Jeanne 🙂

  3. Anneli Faiers says

    November 5, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Lovely idea Katie! Well done you 🙂 Can I come for dinner please?!! xx

    • Katie Bryson says

      November 5, 2013 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks Anneli! You’re welcome anytime lovely 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Dead Easy Desserts #2 linky with November round up - Maison Cupcake | Home making and baking says:
    December 1, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    […] easy dinner party dessert Oreo mini trifles by Katie at Feeding […]

About Katie

I’m Katie Bryson – Freelance Food Writer, wife of a strapping vegetarian and mum of two boisterous boys – keeping them all fuelled and trying to stay sane is a daily challenge so I thought I’d share my experiences. Read More...

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