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8 Easy Recipes for Staying Zen While Entertaining

Are you hosting and want a menu that doesn’t require spending hours in the kitchen? Here are 8 super-simple recipes that will be a hit with your guests, and help you keep your cool before and during supper. Stay calm and party on.

1. Salmon and Dill Danish Open-Faced Sandwiches (Smørrebrød)

These open-faced sammies will steal the show at your next casual get-together. You can even assemble them as soon as you get home from the supermarket, so you don’t have to spend your time toiling in the kitchen once your guests have arrived. Just put slices of beet, the fish mixture, cucumber and dill on a slice of rye. Try serving the sandwiches like we did, on a platter accompanied by crudités, to make them as eye-catching as they are mouth-watering.

2. Squash and Crispy Prosciutto Fusilli

Totally satisfying and equally comforting, this elevated mac and cheese will please one and all with its thin slices of oven-crisped prosciutto and melted cubes of buffalo mozzarella. And if you’re expecting 10 to 12 people, no worries. Just double the recipe, set it out in two dishes in the middle of the table, and relax!

3. Duck Confit Crepes

With this elegant, shareable dish, it’s DIY time, and the serving tray also doubles as decoration. These crepes stuffed with duck confit, julienned veggies, mint and Sriracha sauce are a trip around the world for the taste buds. Prepare them in advance with the help of a crepe maker to save time during the meal and enjoy the company of your guests.

4. Pork Chops with Corn, Pickled Onion and Cheese Curds

With its instant pickling, a speedy marinade and a sauce that’s ready in five minutes, these grilled pork chops are ideal for entertaining with ease. Harissa imparts flavour to the surface of the meat, while lemon quickly tenderizes it. With red onions and the golden tones of creamed corn and cheese curds, this feast for the eyes will be the focus of the night. 

5. Pears in a Pastry Crust

This elegant dessert can be made well in advance. Pears wrapped in warm dough, with pecans and maple sugar at the centre, will delight your guests and make meal planning a snap.

6. Cranberry Crusted Salmon

You’ll surely impress your guests when placing this piece of salmon at the centre of the table. It can conveniently be served either warm or cold, which takes away the pressure of serving it at the perfect temperature. To garnish the fish, prepare a tapenade with raw cranberries, which add the perfect amount of acidity and plenty of freshness.

7. Cream of Pea Soup with Pesto Oil

What could be better than a soup that can easily be prepared ahead of time, frozen and reheated on the night of your get-together. Made with peas and garnished with pesto oil, this recipe with the pretty green hue will be thoroughly enjoyed. Serve ladled into mugs of varying sizes on a large tray, so that each guest can choose the amount they desire, and savour each sip.

8. Bocconcini Skewers with Grapes and Rosemary

Hit two targets with one shot thanks to this wreath-shaped dish that also acts as an edible centrepiece! With the bocconcini cheese balls that have been marinated in a little rosemary-infused oil, as well as purple-hued grapes and endives, this eye-catching recipe will be a veritable success. Stylish with little effort.

For more ideas for entertaining made easy, be sure to consult our wide selection of recipes: