Simple Party Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests

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I don’t know about you but all too often my dinner parties- which are supposed to be an enjoyable event- turn into a nightmare. While I’m trying to whip up a culinary delight, my kitchen slowly starts to look like a bull was let loose. Recently I’ve discovered that it doesn’t have to be like that. You can make food that will blow your guests away, that is anything but complicated.

Here are some simple party recipes that will leave you with the time for a relaxing glass of wine, before your guests arrive.

• Spinach Quiche

A spinach quiche is a surprisingly easy dish- not that your guests will know that! Just mix together shallots and spinach, and cook until the spinach wilts. Then divide this mixture and cheese between prepared crusts. Pour whisked eggs and nutmeg on top. Finally, all you have to do is bake it for an hour. If you have the time, making your own pastry is a nice touch. Martha Stewart has an easy recipe.

• Thai Fishcakes

Thai fishcakes add an exotic touch to your dinner party, and are incredibly easy to make. The main ingredients are fish (of course), onions, chilli, Thai red curry paste, coriander leaves, fish sauce and lime juice. This may sound like a long list, but all you have to do is blend it all together and then fry flattened discs of the mixture. Here’s the full recipe.

• Prawns With Spicy Dip

If you’re looking for an easy starter that requires little preparation, this is the dish for you. All you’ll need is some good quality mayonnaise, harissa, lime juice and honey. Mix it up to make the sauce and start dipping your beautiful prawns in it. For a detailed recipe click here.

• Warm Potato And Steak Salad

Salads are an easy option when it comes to the main course, requiring minimal cooking. They should also go down well with any guests who are watching their waistline! The potato and steak make the dish suitably filling, while the greens keep it light enough for summer dining. Salads can easily be tailored to suit your tastes, but take a look at this recipe by Magazine Delicious for inspiration.

• Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser- they are pretty much impossible to dislike! There’s no end of twists to the recipe, from chocolate to lemon and every flavor in between. You can also get creative and customize them with ice cream and sprinkles for a colorful addition to your table. Here are some great ideas.

• Chicken Fajitas

A simple classic and a great way to get everyone interacting and sharing. Simply cook spices such as garlic powder, cumin and onion powder with chicken and vegetables. Then serve with warmed tortillas. Food and Wine has a great version of the recipe.

• Get Creative With Your Table

Every cook knows that presentation is half the battle and making sure your table looks amazing will make your food seem extra special. Simple touches such as getting creative with place settings make all the difference. Try ideas such as blown up photographs or blocks of wood. Decorating with accessories such as party balloons will also give your dinner party a nice flair.

Dinner parties don’t have to be a nightmare. These recipes are guaranteed to impress your guests and are super easy to make. They’ll never know how little time you really spent in the kitchen.

-Elise Leveque is a freelance translator who enjoys throwing dinner parties and eating good food. She currently lives in Bristol, England.