The holiday season is all about gathering friends and family for good food, great conversation and lots of laughs. If you've volunteered to be the party host this season, you could find planning a holiday gathering more stressful than cheerful. Black Voices has got a budget friendly decorating plan and delicious menu that will make your next dinner party fuss-free!
Having a small budget doesn't mean your guests have to eat off of paper plates and stare at blank walls. There are many ways to decorate without spending a dime. First, think about things you can use that you already have around the house, and build your theme around those items. Winter is no excuse to forgo floral decorations. You can easily jazz up a plain white table cloth with an array of colorful rose petals. For menu cards, download this winter themed menu template for free! If your budget allows you to spend a bit more on your decor, add some white candles and for a pop of color put a few blue hydrangeas in two separate vases at either end of the table.
For entertainment, create ambiance with a customized music play list that fits your theme. Ask your guests in advance to bring a gift that cost $10 or less, then have each person choose a number to determine which gift they'll get. Another fun way to entertain your guests is to set up a photo shoot area with props, ranging from hats, boas, costumes, etc. Have your guests dress up and then take Polaroids. Give everyone a copy of their photo to take home as a keepsake.
Now for the most important part, the food! For the appetizer, try serving a simple lobster salad. Serving lobster as an appetizer allows you to serve a small portion, which is less expensive than serving it as an entree. Follow your appetizer with spicy salmon kebabs. The great thing about this dish is it is fun to eat, and sure to lighten the mood. If the kebabs aren't enough to make your guest comfortable, serve them a tall glass of your signature cocktail. This berry merry cider will put everyone in a very merry mood. It is also the perfect drink to wash down the second entree, a honey glazed pork tenderloin. Finally, top off a great dinner with the perfect dessert. Layer upon layer of crepe filled with chocolate mousse. Remember the holidays aren't about how much you spend, all that really matters in who you spend them with, Bon Appetit!
Appetizer: Lobster Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
- 1 Lobster
-1 Bag Mixed Greens
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
-1/4 Cup of Butter
-1/4 Cup Red Wine
- 4 Tablespoons Vinegar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
-1/4 Teaspoon of Pepper
-1/2 Lemon (Optional)
Directions: Remove lobster meat from shell and grill or saute with butter for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Cut lobster into bite size pieces, then sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper. Place mixed greens in a martini glass. Then begin mixing salad dressing. Simply combine red wine,vinegar and olive oil, then pour on top of greens. Finally, place two pieces of lobster on top of salad. Optional: Squeeze a bit of lemon on lobster for a fresh zesty flavor.
First Entree: Spicy Salmon Kebabs.
Ingredients:
2 Salmon Fillets
-1/2 Red Onion
-3 Garlic Cloves
-1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
-1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
-1/2 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Optional)
-Salt & Pepper
Directions: Cut Salmon fillet in half horizontally. Then Cut into 1inch squares and sprinkle lemon juice on top. Put salmon on to skewers and place on the grill. Chop up red onion, garlic cloves, and scotch bonnet pepper. Sprinkle chopped ingredients, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper over salmon.
Special Equipment: 12 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes.
Second Entree: Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Smashed Potatoes.
Ingredients:
-3 Cups of Water
-1/4 Cup Salt
-1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
-2 Tablespoons Butter
-3 Tablespoons of Honey
- 2 Pounds Pork Tenderloin (Skin Removed)
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
-1/4 Cup of Water
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
Smashed Potato Ingredients Follow:
- 9 Potatoes
-1/2 Stick of Butter
-1/2 Cup Milk
Directions: Tenderloin- Take a resealable plastic bag, add water, salt, red pepper flakes and pork to the bag and seal. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. While it sits begin making cherry glaze. Combine water, sugar and butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir until sugar is completely melted, then remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes before adding honey. Remove pork from bag and pat dry. Rub olive oil on pork then sprinkle some salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place pork loin into a large roasting pan. Cook for 30 minutes, then apply glaze and leave pork loin in oven for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until internal temperature is 150 degrees. Let it cool for 30 minutes, then cut and serve.
Potatoes- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Sprinkle a bit of salt in the pot. Place potatoes in boiling water. Cook for about 20-25 minutes. Drain water and allow potatoes to cool. Take a potato peeler and remove the skin. Place peeled potatoes, butter and milk into bowl. Take a fork and break potatoes up until chunky. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Desert: Crepes Filled with Chocolate Mousse.
Ingredients:
-2 Cups All Purpose Flour
-1 Cup of Water
-1/4 Cup Sugar
-1/4 Teaspoon Salt
-2 Cups Whole Milk
-6 Eggs
-1 Stick of Butter
-2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
Chocolate Mousse Ingredients Follow:
-1 (4 oz. Bag) Chocolate
-4 Large Eggs
-1 Cup Sugar
-2 2/3 Cups Heavy Cream
Directions:
Crepe- Put dry ingredients into a blender (Flour, Sugar and Salt). Then add wet ingredients (Milk, Water, Eggs, Butter and Vanilla extract), blend until smooth. Pour batter into a bowl and set aside for about 20-30 minutes. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat. Then, pour about 4 tablespoons of batter in to the pan and swirl crepe batter until it thinly coats the pan. Let it cook for about 30-40 secs on each side until lightly golden. Repeat.
Chocolate Mousse- Melt chocolate on top of a double boiler. Separate egg yolks and egg white. Put egg whites aside for later use. In a separate bowl beat 3 egg yolks, and 1 cup of sugar. Be sure to mix it well. Add mixture to melted chocolate and cook over heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool. In a separate bowl beat egg whites until it begins thickening. Then combine with chocolate mixture. In another bowl, beat heavy cream with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until it thickens. Finally combine with chocolate mixture, stir well.
Signature Cocktail: Berry Merry Cider.
Ingredients:
-2 Quarts Apple Cider
-2 Cups Red Wine
-Berries of your choice (Frozen)
-2 Cinnamon Sticks (Optional)
Directions: Place apple cider, red wine and berries into a blender. Blend until completely combined. Garnish glass with sugar around the rim. Optional: Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Grocery List:
1) Red Wine (1 Bottle): ($6.99, bevmo.com)
2) Mixed Greens (1 Bag): $2.75
3) 1 Lobster (1 pound): ($6.95, store.lobsterco-op.com)
4) 1 Salmon (2 pound) Fillet: $10.49
5) Potatoes (1 Bag): $1.99
6) White Chocolate Chips (1 Bag): $0.99
7)1 Pork Tenderloin: ($5.99, netgrocer.com)
8) Flour (1 Bag): $1.72, netgrocer.com)
9) Berries (1 Bunch): $1.99
10) Apple Cider (1 Bottle): $2.99
11) Heavy Creme (1 Small Carton): $1.99
Total: $44.84