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Natural Comfort Kitchen

Happy. Healthy. Homemade.

Menu Ideas

I’ve really grown to love menu planning. As I’ve hosted and attended informal dinners and special occasions over the years, it’s become a fun process to take plenty of time in advance to think about what dishes would complement each other and fit the theme of the party without creating a solid week of work for me or sending the shopping bill totally through the roof (although, there are some occasions that call for splurging). Here are the fruits of my labor, with details about the recipes and occasion!

Even if you don’t make everything in the menu, substitute as many items as you need to with the store-bought equivalent to keep the menu theme and feel without the pressure of making everything from scratch (and trying to store it in a single fridge!).

Jump to a menu:
Date Night Dinner
Summer Road Trip
Easy, Casual Dinner Gathering (or see the blog post)
Southern Comfort Shower (Bridal)
Christmas Brunch
Christmas Hosting
New Year’s Eve Party (for 10 to 20)
Valentine’s Dinner In
Move-in Dinner

Date Night Dinner at Home

If you’re looking for an idea to spice up date night, check out the post I did with all the details on my old blog, Balancing Active. Lots of photos, recipe links, and the recipe for the brownie right in the post!

Summer Travel
Informal Dinner Gathering

I blogged about making this menu in my sister’s tiny NYC kitchen, so you can find lots more details, plus the ciabatta recipe and suggestions to make it even easier, here.

Starters

  • Tomato olive ciabatta
  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Roasted red pepper hummus
  • Olive oil for dipping
  • Charcuterie
  • Bulgarian feta and other cheeses
  • Olives and cornichons

Main Dish (vegetarian)

  • Risotto-style lemon saffron rice
  • Oven roasted ratatouille

Dessert

Chocolate truffles three ways:

  • White chocolate dipped
  • Chocolate sea salt
  • Spicy cocoa

To Drink

Champagne (to start or end); red wine

Southern-Themed Preppy Shower

I made this menu for my sister’s bridal shower in the spring, but it’s really a comfort food packed menu that you could do in any season. It was a little prep intensive, but well worth it for a special day. It’s not, however, day-of-the-party prep heavy, so put on your cutest dress or best bowtie, throw a couple pans in the oven, and get your own champagne!

Starters

  • Deviled eggs with paprika and chive garnish
  • Rosemary roasted pecans

To Drink

  • Iced tea with lemon
  • Champagne bar with choices of cherry, berry, and pink lemonade puree

Lunch Buffet

  • Classic mac and cheese (gluten-free noodles)
  • Fried chicken
  • Cold green bean salad with tomatoes, roasted red onions, and vinaigrette dressing
  • Fresh berries

Dessert

  • Chocolate cupcakes (gluten-free) with peanut butter buttercream, chocolate ganache, and peanut brittle
  • Traditional southern coconut cake
Christmas Brunch

I actually made this as our morning meal in conjunction with Christmas dinner, below, as I was hosting allllll day long. I found that the spread was a bit on the heavy side, but the selection was perfect for a crowd with various diet preferences. Most of the items were freezer friendly, so nothing went to waste.

  • Mimosas
  • Coffee and tea, with accompaniments
  • Regular and gluten-free bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and red onion; almond and peanut butter
  • Cinnamon bun muffins (gluten-free)
  • Festive fruit salad of green grapes, apple slices, and pomegranate seeds
  • Leek, mushroom, and spinach frittata
My First Christmas Hosting

Unfortunately for entertainment’s sake, I have no horror stories to tell about this menu, except that we had far too much food for ten people. I love variety in my menus, so instead of eliminating dishes, next time I would just reduce my quantities. The soup, pot pie filling, and pot pie crust were all prepared far in advance and frozen. This make ahead friendly menu would also work well for a larger group (the pot pies could be made full size or in a 9 x 13 with biscuit dough dropped on top).

Dinner

  • Butternut squash soup
  • Mesclun greens with beets, walnuts, and goat cheese, plus olive oil and white balsamic for dressing
  • Individual chicken pot pies

Appetizers (if needed)

  • Rosemary roasted cashews
  • Variety of pitted olives
  • Crudite with edamame hummus
  • Artichoke and fontina dip (warm)
  • Bacon wrapped, manchego stuffed dates in maple glaze

Dessert

NYE Party (for a small crowd)

This menu is great when you plan for a gathering of close friends (we had around 15) who are coming early and staying late. If, like me, you think a bourbon buffet is a good idea, you’re going to need lots of sustenance on hand.

Snacks

  • Rosemary roasted cashews (these are a favorite, if you noticed the pattern!)
  • Mom’s shrimp dip, with potato chips
  • Prosciutto wrapped crudite
  • Deviled eggs

Dinner

  • Pulled pork sliders
  • Cornbread muffins
  • Pickled red onions
  • Crock pot barbeque chicken wings

Sweet

  • Chocolate mini cupcakes with festive frosting colors

Late Night

To Drink

  • Bourbon selection
  • Champagne and fresh strawberries
  • Vodka (guests bring mixers)
Valentine’s Dinner for Two

This menu may look fancy, but it’s perfect for a relaxing, even slightly romantic Valentine’s evening. You won’t spend the whole night in the kitchen. Many of the menu items are from Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way and can be made the day of or a day or two ahead. The only issue we had was consuming the entire baked brie and then being two full to eat dinner until two and a half hours later…so have a movie or activity picked out!

  • Chilled prosecco
  • Baked brie with balsamic drizzle, apples, and crackers
  • Red wine (something light, such as a Pinot Noir, works well)
  • Stuffed scallops on mushroom rice
  • Roast balsamic winter squash
  • Baked brussels sprouts with pancetta
  • Chocolate hazelnut brownie cake (gluten-free) and fresh made whipped cream
Move In Dinner