Mastering Effortless Last Minute Entertaining

plus, my 15 minute appetizer solution & another must have bean salad before the holiday weekend!

The biggest weekend of the summer is here (how?!) and while my favorite thing is to have a big party at our house, what I love most is all the little, last-minute gatherings that tend to happen on weekends like these. Or even in summer in general!

I love those moments because they are so fun and spontaneous, often creating the most memories. But I also like to be prepared for them as best I can… that way people feel welcome and want to come back. I always want to be the house where everyone gathers (this applies to my kids + friends too!), so these are a few ways I try to be prepared.

I keep it outside if possible. No stress on cleaning up inside, just a simple clean of the bathroom to make sure it’s ready to go.

Only cook what you know!! I have cheater snacks that I always have the ingredients for. These things are in my pantry and the dishes don’t take long to make. Recipes such as my chilled queso, or a simple burrata tomato plate with fresh basil and balsamic, cookie dough in the freezer at all times, vanilla ice cream (to pair with the cookies) and everything for a cheese board. My pantry is always stocked and this is a huge key. It’s a great idea to have a 15 minute appetizer solution. That would look like this:

• 1 cheese (asiago or sharp cheddar)

• 1 meat (sliced salami)

• 1 dip (hummus)

• 1 cracker/chip/breadstick

• 1 vegetable (cucumbers or tomatoes)

• 1 fruit (cherries with a pit bowl)

• 1 sweet treat (chocolate covered cashews)