3 Realistic Entertaining Tips with Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Do you love a simple summer dessert with only 2 ingredients? Then you will love this Lemon Curd Ice Cream recipe!
Are you just getting in to entertaining? If so, this post is for you. If you’re a seasoned entertaining, I think you’ll also enjoy my 3 realistic reminders for how to keep entertaining do-able. And, if you’re like me, I am always needing reminders for how to keep things (life, people, food, hospitality) simple! People get so stressed out anymore, I think because we’re so busy, we don’t take the time to relax and enjoy people like we should, and our vision gets clouded with so many recipes and entertaining ideas, that sometimes it’s easier to not host. Yikes!
Many people are longing for a dinner invite.
It’s really not fair, because there are so many people in our lives just waiting for a dinner invitation, maybe some who’ve been very hospitable themselves, or those who are simply lonely.
My goal is to not overcomplicate entertaining!
Even though no one is obligated to throw a dinner party, it sure is a fun, easy way to get to know people and to expand our worlds. I’m so thankful my husband and I started off early in our marriage hosting other people in our home. Looking back, I’ve come a long way in my entertaining skills, but just as anything we do, the more we do it, the better and more seasoned we become.
My story almost 25 years ago.
I think about hosting Craig and Michelle and their 5 cute bambinos. We lived in an 1100 square foot house, and at the time we had our 2 boys, and desperately wanted adult conversation while we enjoyed our dinner. Some people would never do this, but for Michelle and me, we had no problem feeding all the kids first, then putting on a movie in our bedroom for the kids to enjoy. It worked beautifully, especially in the winter months. In the summer … feed the kids and then send them outside to play! Just don’t expect kids to be perfect, because they’ll never measure up to your expectations.
Fast forward almost 25 years. When I set the table now for company, it looks completely different than it did back then. Of course times have changed, but a few rules for entertaining remain the same.
3 Realistic Entertaining Tips.
1. Focus on making things better, not bigger: Don’t try to impress. Use what you have when setting the table. It’s a reflection of who you are, and what your style is.
I love going to dinner parties in other homes and seeing how the hostess sets the table. There’s no wrong or right, even when it comes to serving the food. By all means, gussy up a table with flowers or even greenery from the yard. Or, add fresh lemons if you don’t have anything pretty blooming in your yard. At my table, I chose tiny crocus flowers blooming in our front yard, that I placed in tiny bud vases.
2. More is best: Have more food than people will eat. If you don’t want to be wasteful, prepare a menu that will keep well in your fridge or freezer. You don’t want to run out of food at a dinner party!
I’ve found it’s actually beneficial to make more food than we need, because it saves us time in the long run, and provides for the next days’ meals if your family loves leftovers. Our family loves leftovers!
3. Know your limits: Cook a menu you are comfortable with. It may be nice to prepare a meal that isn’t regular fare, but don’t try to over-achieve and cook something you’ve never tried before.
Don’t forget to delegate and ask your guests to bring a dish! People want to contribute to the meal. Entertaining wasn’t always this way. Dinner parties were sort of hoity-toity, and the hostess did it all herself (or she had it catered). I’m so glad those days of entertaining have changed.
Try a carefree approach.
We leave in a more realistic, authentic world now, where most people feel freer to not have things so perfect, and we can be more carefree.
So, let’s say you run out of time to make a dessert, or the person who’s bringing dessert calls and can’t make the party. I’ve had that happen … you have to scramble. Or, you’ve invited guests over last-minute. You can be prepared!
Lemon Curd Ice Cream.
My recipe today is so simple, and easy to keep stocked in the pantry and freezer with 2 ingredients. Swirl and mix to perfection.
Make individual servings and freeze (cover each one with plastic wrap).
Pull out individual servings as needed.
It’s an oldie but goodie recipe that I had forgotten about: Lemon Curd Ice Cream.
It’s always a hit, served with Trader Joe’s Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins!
ENJOY!
Are you good at being prepared for last-minute entertaining?
Get the Recipe:
Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pints premium vanilla ice cream
- 10 oz. lemon curd, I used Trader Joe’s – delicious!
- Fresh mint
- Store-bought cookies
Instructions
- Soften ice cream on high for about 1 minute in the carton (or leave sitting out on the counter for about 10-15 minutes).
- Turn ice cream into a medium size bowl, and spoon in the store-bought lemon curd by tablespoons into the ice cream.
- Fold until lemon curd streaks ice cream.
- Either place back in to the container, or fill individual servings and re-freeze. Remove from freezer and place a cookie thin in each serving; garnish with mint and serve!
- QUICK ENTERTAINING OPTION: Soften, mix, and serve right away (soft ice cream).
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So simple – I love it!
Love these reminders for entertaining! This is such a fun and simple way to serve ice cream!
I definitely get carried away when preparing for company..and somehow I always get stuck trying a recipe I’ve never really had experience with before! Somehow it turns out alright most of the time. Luckily my husband knows not to invite company without telling me first! This ice cream looks delicious too!
Sandy, what a genius idea, for an easy way to wow guests! This looks so delicious, I love everything about it! : )
that sounds so refreshing! YUM! I don’t think I’m “bad” at last minute entertaining but I don’t prefer it..lol…when we first got married my hubby would always call and say “oh, I invited so and so over for dinner”. I would slightly panic because usually I had already started it or only had enough for our own family…I usually made it work though and think I had a pretty good attitude..now I think he knows better, but I would still try to make it work even if it meant a quick run to the store.
Good Morning Sandy! That recipe sounds so delicious! I’m not a good last minute entertainer. When we have guests over for dinner I always over plan and stress myself out. I’m the type of hostess who is worried that everything will not be perfect. I am working on changing my ways. Your suggestions are so helpful and I thank you for sharing:-)