You are wrapping up the evening snacks, and hence you are full. You don’t feel like having dinner and decide to go to bed. However, some of your office colleagues surprise you as it is the weekend. You had no idea, so preparing an instant dinner could be a little tricky for you. What could you present within the limited time?
It’s already 11; however, you may still find midnight groceries. But first, you need to decide what you can prepare quickly. If you often find yourself in such situations. You struggle to decode what to do; the blog may help. It lists some good dinner party ideas that you may prepare quickly.
8 best dinner ideas to prepare within 20 minutes
The first thing to do here is to be stress-free. The guests are not here to bother you with signature dishes. Instead, they are here for your company at a late hour. Thus, don’t aim for perfection but possibilities. Do a little welcoming touch, such as lighting up the room, making it aromatic, and cleaning up the main seating area. Identify the number of guests secretively. It will help you plan further things easily.
Create a menu around available ingredients
You may struggle to find groceries or any dish ingredients at a late hour. You may spot some, but not complete. However, you must still try to get what you can at that time. Check for the late-night delivery options. It may help you get some ingredients home. Re-check the list before ordering. Once the grocery person arrives at the door, check the items before paying the cash.
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Check easy dishes to prepare
Now, you have the ingredients ready. Still, you don’t need to go for lengthy and time-consuming dishes. Instead, you can focus on the best and quickest to prepare food items. Here is what you may try:
. Call it a pasta night
You can toss up noodles with whatever veggies you have. If available, you can top the dish with Parmesan cheese and herbs. Lastly, serve it with bread and green salad.
. Taco Spread
You can create healthy vegetable rolls by rolling up tortillas and stuffing them with tacos, veggies, cheese, sauces, beans, etc. It will definitely be a full diet and easy to make.
.One-Pot Wonder
What could be more relaxing than a soup? You can check out the available stew and prepare a curry. Simmer the ingredients while you prepare the dinner table. You can later serve it with crusty rice. You can prepare rice if you have time.
Meanwhile, while you prepare the dish, you can treat the guests with some ready-to-serve dishes. It could be doughnuts, chips, drinks, nuts, etc.
Delegate tasks without guilt feelings
You may find it all overwhelming to prepare the dishes and arrange the tables all alone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. They may be eager to help you out with planning everything. Thus, you can take their help for serving wines, snacks, platters, or simply sizing up the dinner table.
Check whether you can get some help with cooking. It is when you are busy managing other arenas. A combined effort makes things a lot easier.
Arrange simple drinks
Nobody wishes to get drunk at someone else’s place. So, keep it light and easy to manage. It could be something like a Coke. Check simple drinks like juice, crushers, lime juice and other light drinks for entertainment. It will keep your guests hydrated, and you can engage in long conversations with just a few sips. Or the best thing would be to ask your guests what they would prefer. Accordingly, you can plan the drink aspect.
Make the dinner table look warm
Yes, you may not have had the time to plan the best tablecloth, candlestands, flower arrangements and other things for the decorations. Well. You don’t need to go to an extravaganza now, either. Just prepare one with what you have. You may arrange simple flowers or napkins in a clean style.
Check for simple candles and clean stands. You don’t need to go for the scented ones if you don’t have one right now. Identify a clean tablecloth and clear the chair. It would be sufficient to host a comfortable dinner party. The prime thing is the comfort. Make sure everyone is comfortable in one’s being.
Add some music to the gathering
Impromptu parties can be weird at times. Therefore, music may help you fill up the silent spaces. You can turn on the best playlist that appeals to everyone. It could be light or according to the party mood. You can even play some related games to keep the entertainment going. In the meantime, you prepare the dishes. Alternatively, you can create a perfect environment by dimming the light and switching it with candles or string lights.
- Embrace imperfection and enjoy
Make a pact with the impromptu moments that imperfections are a part of it. You cannot create a 100% perfect setting according to the circumstances. Instead, you can do only what you can realistically do at that time.
Therefore, don’t feel guilty about not being prepared. Instead, go with the flow and blend with the people and the mood. Just enjoy the surprise that you just got. It will help you feel glad about the moment.
Don’t feel obligated to multiple meals
Most individuals find it an obligation to arrange and serve snacks, the main course, or dessert. Well, you don’t need to take that much effort or worry about that. Instead, only do what you can or are capable of now. Don’t say no to help with cleaning. It may help you sort everything out quickly. It will help you end a wonderful day in the best way.
Bottom line
You don’t need to panic if you cannot decide what to plan at the last moment. There are some things you can do if friends arrive unexpectedly. You can just focus on the ingredients that you have. Clean up the mess and arrange the dining table a little. If possible, ask for help from friends. It will ease the task for you.
