Impromptu Dinner Parties

[Mari']

I was reading an article in Veranda yeaterday about being prepared for an impromptu dinner part and I realized that I am not really very prepared.

Of course, I love spomtaneity but do I have the back up...do I know which quick meal I'll prepare or how I'm arrange the table on the spur of the moment.

What about y'all? Do you have a meal or two that you can make quickly and have all the ingredients on hand. How do you all handle a spontaneous dinner party?

The article in Veranda is Tastemaker Carolyne Roehm's Impromptu party

[scarlettdouble]

I love Carolyn Roehm!

I would probably not be prepared for a dinner party, but I could probably pull off some appetizers on the fly. We usually have different types of cheeses and crackers at home and a few bottles of wine ready to uncork.

[cdot30]

I would not be ready either simply becouse the way we eat on a day to day basis is not how we would eat with company. So if I buy something for "company", it would probably spoil before I got a chance to use it. ....OR my husband would find it one weekend and get into it and there goes the "company's" food!!:D

[Mari']

I love Carolyn Roehm!

Have you seen her book A Passion for Blue & White?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518YmZrRotL._SL500_AA240_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0767921135/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CptMom96]

I don't think I would be ready for a complete dinner, but I know I could throw a mighty fine cocktail party just as soon as the doorbell rings! I, like SD, keep a variety of cheese and crackers, wine...I know y'all aren't surprised on that one, and there are a few things in the freezer I can make really quick.

[graysonsmimi]

Great question Mari! Hmmm, I think I can pull together a casual dinner party -- always have pasta in the pantry and usually some shrimp in the freezer. I have started to buy (when on sale) jars of tapanades, pesto, blue cheese stuffed olives, etc., because they have a pretty long shelf life, though nothing lasts for long!