From the appetisers to the charcuterie, hosting may be fun, but it’s also expensive. Here's how to throw a dinner party on a budget.
Start Simple
You may want to have a spread of nibbles to graze on once your guests arrive. However, there's no need to go overboard. We understand the temptation to fill every empty space with bowls of fancy crisps and luxury dips, but it is exactly these "picky bits" that end up adding a hefty price to your evening. Firstly, you can make your own dip quite easily. This creamy white bean dip is whisked up in just 5 minutes, and is significantly more impressive than a shop-bought hummus. Serve it with a platter of veggies or these home-made seedy crisps- you might even have the ingredients for them in your cupboard already!
Choose Your Ingredients Wisely
Between the drinks and the nibbles, your shopping basket will already be tight for space. Let's avoid making unnecessary additions to the ever-expanding list. This can be done by pushing those complicated recipes to one side and instead, opting for main courses that have minimalistic ingredient lists- like this baked ziti. Straightforward, delicious, and an Italian classic.
Use Beans to Your Advantage
A blissfully economic and versatile ingredient, the humble bean can be used as the base of many a crowd-pleasing recipe. The protein-packed legumes are naturally gluten-free and appeal to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Use them in a refreshing starter like this black-bean salad, or in a spicy, three-bean chilli as your main event.
Cater to All
Save time and money and stop making alternative dishes for your guests with dietary requirements. No, we're not suggesting you let them go hungry. We are suggesting you whip up a meal that naturally caters to most diets, like this smoked aubergine curry, and these paneer pakoras made from chickpea flour. Simply swap the yoghurt and milk for dairy-free alternatives and you have a vegan-approved dish too! Gluten-free guest? Take a look at this guide to host them at ease.
Get Your Guests to Join in
In America, they call it a 'potluck'- a party where each guest contributes. We think it's about time this tradition is brought over the pond. Whether it's as simple as a side of golden roasted potatoes or a classic cheesecake, each guest is encouraged to bring a homemade dish to add to the spread of food. Nobody arrives empty handed, and nobody leaves hungry. Many hands make light work, isn't that how the saying goes?
