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Posted on: April 22, 2010

Quick Reflexes

No advance notice? No problem. Unexpected dinner parties rely more on improvisation than cooking

By Taniesha Robinson
CTW Features


On cue: Create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests with a set table, complete with flowers, candles and defined seating. Photo by William Geddes

A few friends have just called to say they're in the neighborhood and want to drop by. It's inconveniently near dinnertime and you were actually planning on taking a trip to a local fast-food joint. Now, you have 20 minutes to plan a dinner party.

Such preparation can be stressful with a month's notice, so the pressure cooker really starts boiling over when you have to pull off a dinner party in a matter of minutes. But don't worry - it takes more improvisation than innovation to plan a memorable last-minute dinner party.

Create a party pantry

In life, it's always nice to give yourself a head start. Having a go-to space in your home stocked with the bare necessities for a dinner party will put you ahead of the game.

Karen Bussen, the author of "Simple Stunning Parties at Home" (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2009), recommends grabbing items for a party pantry when you see things on sale throughout the year. Her suggested must-haves include non-perishable food items, unscented candles, and special plates and glassware.

"White, unscented candles make an instant centerpiece when you have that last minute get-together," Bussen says.

Shop your home

Don't have a party pantry, yet? Don't panic. "Run a quick inventory in your head of what you have available," says Georgeanne Brennan, author of "Gather - Memorable Menus for Entertaining Throughout the Seasons" (Sasquatch Books, 2009). Bussen likens shopping your home to shopping your closet for a new look. One of her favorite ideas for table designs came to her after spotting a few bangles around the house that she later used for napkin rings.

Set the stage

Both Bussen and Brennan say that a set table signals to guests that they are welcome. Plates, flatware, glassware and napkins are a great start, but a centerpiece is the final welcoming touch. For an easy, inexpensive yet beautiful centerpiece, Bussen suggests buying a bouquet of whatever is in season and putting each blossom in its own shot glass and pull them all to the middle of the table. For a rectangular table, arrange them down the center of the table. Candles are great for centerpieces, too, she says.

Give a warm welcome

Offer refreshments soon after your guests settle. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres are not only great appetizers, but also great ways to put people at ease in your home.

"If people feel welcome, no matter what you cook, it will be a nice occasion," Brennan says. "Guests should feel welcome even if it's unexpected." And even if they invited themselves!

Ciliegie mozzarella with basil & cherry tomatoes

Makes 12 hors d'oeuvres

Ciliegie means "cherries" in Italian - because the mozzarella is formed into cherry-size balls. I like that it also refers to the cherry tomatoes in the recipe. This bite-sized hors d'oeuvre is inspired by a wonderful summer salad the Italians call "insalata caprese" (a salad of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil).

-6 cherry tomatoes, cut into halves

-12 fresh basil leaves, cut into halves

-6 ciliegie mozzarella balls, cut into halves

-Salt and pepper

-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

-1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

-1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)

Spear one half of one cherry tomato on a toothpick. Next, spear two halves of a fresh basil leaf, followed by one half of a mozzarella ball. Repeat for all 12 hors d'oeuvres, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a tray and serve with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil (I like to offer them separately) on the side for dipping. Add the minced garlic to the olive oil for an extra layer of flavor.

Courtesy of "Simple Stunning Parties at Home" (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2009) by Karen Bussen

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