Yahoo News This Winter Dinner Party Menu Has Everything You Need to Host a Cozy Soirée for 6 People, from Drinks to Dessert
We adore hosting our friends and family for dinner parties. What’s more satisfying than gathering everyone we love around one table and serving them delicious food? But we’ll admit that the colder months can make the whole planning and cooking thing a drag. The solution? A little seasonal produce and a few effortlessly elegant recipes, naturally.
With this winter dinner party menu—which includes everything from cocktails to seasonal appetizers, side dishes and dessert for six people—you’re all but guaranteed to convince your guests to leave their cozy couches and come on over. If you throw in a few bottles of wine, you’ll really seal the deal.
17 Easy Dinner Party Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining
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Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Ren Fuller/Katherine Gillen/Nico Schinco
Produce
1 to 2 ruby red grapefruits
2 to 3 lemons
6 mandarin oranges
1 crisp-tart apple (such as Honeycrisp)
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 bunch fresh basil
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 garlic clove
2 scallions
1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 medium fennel bulb
1½ pounds baby potatoes
1 pound trimmed slim carrots (preferably multicolored)
Meat
3 ounces prosciutto (or another thinly sliced cured meat)
One 3- to 4-pound whole chicken
Dairy
Two 4-ounce balls burrata
¼ cup grated pecorino Romano
12 ounces buttermilk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ounces goat cheese from a log
Grains
2 pieces flatbread or naan
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
Canned and Packaged Goods
16 ounces red vermouth
1 bottle Angostura bitters
Seltzer
Ice
Marcona almonds
¾ cup sliced almonds
3 cups blood orange juice
Pantry Ingredients: honey, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, balsamic vinegar, flaky sea salt, granulated sugar
Cocktail: Ruby Vermouth Spritzers
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
You’re playing host, not bartender, so set yourself up for success with a low-effort beverage that’s as refreshing as it is easy to make. This one is a wintry twist on the Aperol spritz, and all you have to do is pour seltzer on top of red vermouth, no shaker required.
Appetizer: Charcuterie-Board Flatbread
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
A gorgeous charcuterie board is a dinner party no-brainer, but we like to switch things up. Serve these individual flatbreads and wow your guests when they get a a bit of salty, savory, creamy, crunchy and sweet in every bite. Bonus, this app is no-cook and can be customized to your tastes, whether you want to eliminate the meat for a vegetarian version or garnish it with balsamic glaze instead of honey.
Salad: Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Fennel and Mandarin Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Ren Fuller/Downshiftology: Healthy Meal Prep
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, gluten free
In our humble opinion, winter salads don’t get nearly enough love. Show off the season’s best produce with this bright, fresh mixture of Brussels sprouts, fennel and juicy mandarin slices. The salad and dressing can both be made up to three (3!) days in advance—just dress it right before you’re ready to serve to keep it crisp.
Main Course: Skillet Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Potatoes
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 hours, 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
For the pièce de résistance, make a main that looks impressive but is foolproof for all skill levels. Most of the work for this lacquered bird is completely hands-off: You’ll marinate it in buttermilk the night before for juicy, tender meat and that gorgeous, golden crust, then plop it in a skillet and let the oven do the rest. The potatoes are optional, but they make a nice starchy addition to the menu (and the way they soak up those chicken juices is *chef’s kiss*).
Side Dish: Carrot Tarte Tatin
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Deb Perelman/Smitten Kitchen Keepers
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
Just because you’re pulling out all the stops with your entree doesn’t mean you have to neglect the sides. This savory tart is a lesson in stunning your guests with zero stress on your part. It’s bolstered by a layer of goat cheese, but if you want to serve it on the side for dairy-free (or picky) guests, go right ahead.
Dessert: 3-Ingredient Blood Orange Granita
Baby Luv, Coco Chanel, Harajuku and many more
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes + freezing time
Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, gluten free, dairy free, vegan
Cap off your extravagant, effortless winter dinner party menu with the most refreshing, elegant dessert this side of a polar vortex. It’s entirely make-ahead, and it comes together with three ingredients and will satisfy everyone at the table, since it’s vegan and gluten free. (If you want to kick it up a notch further, add scoops of vanilla ice cream or top each glass with a pour of Champagne.)
73 Hearty Winter Dinner Ideas That Take 1 Hour or Less
Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now she’s an avid home cook and fanatic baker.
