When the doorbell rings, and hopefully I’m ready (I hate it when company comes and I’m still in the bedroom getting dressed!), I love to greet our guests at the front door.
Sometimes though, I’m running behind. 
Do you ever run behind when people are coming over for dinner, and you keep looking at the clock? Story of my life!
Here are some tips that can help you get the party started, when you’re feeling a few steps behind:
1. Ask the kids to greet the guests at the front door and invite them in. That will give you a few more minutes to get ready.
2. Greet your guests and invite them into your kitchen. Give them a small job to do.
3. Bring the guests into your kitchen, offer them a drink and a stool, and get the conversation going while they watch you finish up your duties.
4. Usher your guests into the back yard, with a drink, and tell them to feel free to relax or wander around the garden area.
For sure you don’t want to leave your guests standing at the front door.
And for sure you don’t want to hide out in the kitchen while they are waiting for the “party” to get stared.
One easy recipe that I want to share with you, I made for my family a few weeks ago. It was really yummy, and super duper easy.
It’s a recipe you can make up ahead of time and pop in the oven as your guests are mingling over appetizers and drinks!
Enjoy.
Do you prefer to have everything done ahead of time, or you don’t mind cooking and talking with your guests at the same time?
Recipe: Baked Teriyaki Chicken Tenders {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp. cold water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger (fresh is good, too)
- 1/2 tsp. white pepper
- 24 chicken tenders
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water; add in the sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and white black pepper. Heat in a small saucepan over low heat. Let simmer; stirring frequently until sauce thickens and comes to a boil.
- Wash and pat dry chicken pieces. Place on a sprayed baking sheet. Brush the chicken with the sauce and turn the chicken tenders over; brush again.
- Bake for 30 minutes; turn the pieces over and bake another 10-15 minutes, or until done.
- Brush the chicken pieces with the sauce every 10 minutes.
- Serve with rice.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 40 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8
Brenda from A Farmgirl’s Dabbles is the winner of the picnic giveaway on Monday from Michelob ULTRA. Congrats, Brenda!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
The chicken looks great, Sandy. As an answer to your question: it all depends on who’s visiting. If it’s family they can come and help in the kitchen while I finish some last minute things. But if it’s people who I don’t see very often or it’s an important event, I like to have most everything done before they arrive. Then it’s just a matter of a few finishing touches while my husband entertains them.
You”l when you see the title of my latest post – I thought of you as I was writing it.
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I try to be dressed and ready at least one hour before the guests are scheduled to arrive. It’s only a problem if I have last minute cooking to do. I hate sweating over a hot stove in my party clothes. Oh yeah women don’t sweat:) I started this after getting caught in the kitchen in my crummy work clothes two different times. I decided I had to have a better plan!
Chicken looks yummy.
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I’m way more comfortable if people show up when a couple things need to be finished! (Just small things, not cooking the whole dinner) I feel like it’s just a more relaxed environment to chat, especially when the first people show up or if it’s someone I don’t know so well.
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People like to be put to work! It takes the edge off and everyone feels a part of it. What a delicious dinner party this must have been, the entire plate looks yummy!!
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That is a really good tip especially to those fresh
to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate info… Thank you for
sharing this one. A must read post!
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