Sponsored
This sponsored article is brought to you by Salt Creek Grille – Princeton.
Entertaining can be stressful, especially when guests come by with short notice. The team at Salt Creek Grille – Princeton knows that hosting an impromptu get together should be fun! Here are a few tips to make a last-minute plan a real crowd pleaser.
Stress Less
Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember to enjoy yourself! Find easy recipes that you can make ahead of time, so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.
Keep it Simple
Use ingredients that you have on hand for small bites, and make small tweaks to make them feel special. There are plenty of little tricks: give a flatbread a gourmet feel by adding toppings like pesto, goat cheese or BBQ sauce; consider a cheeseboard, which is easy to serve and feels sophisticated, and jazz up salads by throwing in any combination of fruit, vegetables and dressings. Serving tips: serve larger dishes family-style; be sure to dish out lighter foods for lunch and save the heavier courses for dinner.
Keep Your Bar Stocked
Take a quick trip to the liquor store and make sure you stock up with a few essentials, so it’s easy to fix up a cocktail, no matter what your guests prefer. Serving up a signature cocktail always makes a party feel more personal (and means you only need to master one recipe). Be sure you can offer your guests a couple of options of wine, beer and mixers, to cover all of your bases.
If you’re having a winter soiree, try this cold-weather special from Pat McMenamin, bar manager at Salt Creek Grille – Princeton!
Peppermint Patty Martini
Ingredients:
2 parts Stoli, vanilla
1 part peppermint schnapps
Splash of crème de menthe, green
Splash of half and half
Chocolate drizzle*
1 York Peppermint Patty
Directions:
Pour and strain into a martini glass, garnish with chocolate drizzle, and top off with a York Peppermint Patty.
*There are many recipes out there for chocolate drizzle. Try this one, or do a search for something new!
Alternatively, Leave it to the Experts!
If party planning leaves you tearing your hair out, host your guests at a restaurant. Salt Creek Grille – Princeton, for instance, has private rooms that accommodate gatherings ranging from intimate get togethers to 100+ guests. You can even book a cocktail party on the patio or around a firepit.
Salt Creek Grille – Princeton
Forrestal Village
1 Rockingham Row
Princeton
609-419-4200