Unexpected Company…What Do I Serve?

It happens to all of us, especially at this time of year. Either you have the company that drops over unexpectedly or you get a call from your husband to let you know that he’s invited people over. You have been taking care of the kids all day, aren’t exactly looking entertaining worthy, and have nothing prepared to eat. What now? Well here are a few tried and true methods to throwing together a last minute spread of food without ever having to panic.

*Always keep cream cheese and some sort of spread in the house. A good example is a chipotle jam (easy to find in a jar) that can easily be thrown over a block of softened cream cheese, served warm with crakers. Presto! You’ve got an instant appetizer that’s super easy and delicious.

*Keep a jar of sundried tomato pesto in the house, along with some sliced appetizer sized baguettes in the freezer. When you’re in a pinch you can spread the pesto on these breads pop them in the over to broil and you’ve got a delicious appetizer sure to please. It’s made even better if you have garlic and parmesan cheese to mix in, but just the pesto works great as well.

*As it should be part of your kitchen basics anyhow, be sure to stock the kitchen with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil in the house. If you’re really in a pinch you can throw together crusty bread (have your hubby pick up a loaf on the way home) with this delicious olive oil mix for dipping. It’s sure to please and looks like you actually fussed!

*It helps to have some entertaining basics in the house such as hummus, crackers, a good cheese, and some amazing salsa and tortilla chips. If you’re really pressed for time and need to put some munchies out you can still supply a tasty spread with some of these party basics. The reality is that most people will munch on whatever you put out for company, and these are sure to go a long way.

No need to panic if you have the inevitable unexpected company. By keeping some basics in the house you can put out a spread that will look as if you cooked all day.