An Easy Winter Menu

Getting together with friends for dinner should never be stressful! Really! So when a friend recently texted about six of us going out for dinner I said, Yes! but let’s have dinner at my place. You see, two of my kids were home, and I thought an evening at home would be a lot more fun. But who needs more stress? No one! Dinner was simple. Everyone helped, and we had a great time visiting, eating, and playing Taboo.

An Easy Winter Dinner Menu

Cocktail: Ginger Pear Martini
Appetizer: Ask a friend to bring
Crab: Clean and cracked if possible. Just ask at the meat counter. It takes them just a few minutes to prep.
Melted Butter and Cocktail Sauce
Baked Pasta: I picked up a chicken Alfredo already put together from Costco. A frozen lasagna works as well. When I have time, I make up a dish of Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables.
Salad: Ask a friend to bring
Bread: Pick up a tasty loaf from the bakery
Dessert: Pass around a box of chocolates (I had leftover pie in the fridge that I served) and pour some dessert wine.

Dinner Table — The table is set and ready for my friends.

A ginger pear martini to get the party started.

Two big platters of cracked crab! One for each end of the table.

So while I love to entertain, I also often subscribe to the thought that less is best and keep it simple. Really, because time with friends is about that: Time With Friends.