A month or so ago The BF and I threw a little housewarming party to show off our phat new pad (yes, phat. what of it?). I also used it as an excuse to wow my friends with my culinary talents. If you think that’s obnoxious and pompous, well, in the words of Andre 3000, “I’m… just being honest.”
Sweet pumpkin dip with homemade vanilla wafers, blue cheese dip with veggies, chewy chocolate cookies, onion dip with Ritz, and pizza squares
Here are a few tips on preparing successful dishes for housewarming parties:
1. Finger foods: There’s nothing more awkward than carrying around a plate while you socialize, or trying to shovel salad into your face while hitting on a potential beau. You drop some on the carpet, you’re juggling the fork, the plate, and your beverage… it’s not cute. Enter finger foods. There are only a bajillion versions of utensil-free dishes and your spread should be full of them. My favorites are bite-sized squares of pizza, cookies, and cut up veggies. Which brings me to my next point…
2. Dips: I made 3 dips: sweet pumpkin for dipping cookies, tangy blue cheese for the veggies, and hot onion swiss for Ritz crackers. It’s interactive, it’s delicious, and it allows you to make literally everything the day before. Which brings me to my next point…
3. Make things in advance: I spent hours the night before the party baking cookies, chopping veggies, and mixing dips. Not only is most dip better after it’s had a chance to sit in the fridge overnight, but the day of the party all you have to do is pop it on the table and remove the plastic wrap. Easy as pie.
4. Room temperature foods: What’s grosser than hot food that’s been left to harden and coagulate on your dining room table for 6 hours? Well… lots of things. But during a party no one wants to see that. Try and stick to food that still tastes good at room temperature, or that tastes delicious both hot and cold (i.e. pizza squares).
5. Print out a menu: Everyone thought I was such a loser because I printed and framed my menu. Okay, maybe the frame was overboard… It cost $.99! And it looked sweet. Anyway, providing a menu allows your guests to know exactly what they’re eating before they taste it. Also avoids those pesky allergies. And saves you from having to say 809 times, “It’s sweet pumpkin dip! You eat it with the cookies!” Because after 10 beverages (just kidding, mom, I had THREE I said THREE beverages) it might not come out so nicely.
Starting next week I’ll be sharing with you some of the standout recipes from the party. In the meantime I served this onion dip to rave reviews, even though I accidentally microwaved instead of baking it. It separated… and it was gross.
Lauren E. is a food writer and recipe tester living in New York City. She is a regular contributor to Yumm.com and has been featured on The Martha Stewart Show.