Is the “Dinner Party” Dead? and Goat Cheese Marcona Almonds with Raspberry Jam Appetizer
This Goat Cheese Marcona Almonds with Raspberry Jam Appetizer has easy ingredients to keep on hand, which is the perfect appetizer for almost any occasion!
Is the dinner party dead? No way, at least not what I consider a dinner party: Any kind of dinner where you welcome guests into your home.
I even looked it up on the web, and here’s the definition:
din·ner par·ty—noun: a social occasion at which guests eat dinner together.
Whew! That makes sense. We don’t need to stress over fancy, stiff parties like our parents’ generation hosted, and we don’t need to worry about re-defining the meaning. The definition has always been there.
A few years ago, there was an article in the New York Times that talked about the dinner party being “dead,” indicating that no one was interested in “that kind of entertaining” anymore.
Why even host?
People were too busy, didn’t want to spend the money, or just wanted to eat out.
I mean, why go to all that work when you can meet your friends at a restaurant?
Obviously, the most important thing about hosting others in your home is the people, and the interesting conversation.
Here’s my little secret: I’ve hosted for almost 25 years now and I always DELEGATE.
A modern word might be “potluck.”
Just do it.
You know, the friends that interest you, that you really want to get to know, you want to ask questions about their lives, you want to gather in their home, you want them to see your lives and the way your family lives.
I really want to challenge you, my friends, to get a date on the calendar. Just do it!
Last week we had a little dinner party out at Britt Festivals in Jacksonville (Oregon). We are huge Alison Krauss fans, and this time she was singing with Willie Nelson. Who is now 82!
It wa a great night, as we planned our own little dinner party under the stars.
Goat Cheese Marcona Almonds with Raspberry Jam Appetizer.
I brought sandwiches and one of our favorite appetizers: Goat cheese, raspberry jam, marcona almonds, and pita chips. My friend, Julie, had just given us a jar of fresh raspberry jam that she had made with her mama, Alice.
It’s a given, anything tastes good with goat cheese and jam, right?
Split the meal.
Jenny brought the fruit and dessert. We split the meal – easy!
What I love about planning a party, even when it’s not in your own home, is that hospitality can happen anywhere. As Webster defines a dinner party: A social occasion at which guests eat dinner together.
Good friends, good food, good music.
Life doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
I’d love to hear at your next dinner party, if your guests love contributing to the meal? Wasn’t it easier than planning a full sit-down meal and creating all the dishes yourself (exhausting)?
Get the Recipe:
Goat Cheese Marcona Almonds with Raspberry Jam Appetizer
Ingredients
- Goat Cheese
- Raspberry Jam
- Marcona almonds
- Pita chips
Instructions
- Lay a hunk of goat cheese on a platter, plus a small jar of raspberry jam.
- Lay around the cheese and the jar marcona almonds and pita chips.
- Serve!
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Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I’m super guilty of always telling my guests to bring NOTHING even when they offer! I most definitely need to change this dirty habit. I’m always stressed out and can’t fully enjoy their company because I end up doing it all. Thanks for the great reminder and nudging that I need :)
Going to meet family in the mountains in a few weeks for a weekend get-away together. I’m bringing snacks, drinks and breakfast for one morning. My sister-in-law is bringing a casserole and salad for our evening meal. Sure makes it easy to delegate and split the meals up!
Yes Yes Yes! Yesterday we had a half dozen people join us for dinner. One person brought squash from her garden. Another offered to bring racks of ribs to grill. Another wine. The last brought a basket of peaches – I made biscuits for peach shortcake. Other than that, we made mashed potatoes, served leftover baked beans from the day before and set the table! Ridiculously easy and a beautiful memorable summer night was shared with lots of laughs.
Sounds amazing, Donna. Next time invite us! LOL :)
I LOVE delegating…if it’s just one family or couple coming over, I give them one or maybe two dishes to bring, if there are more I divvy up more. It makes it easier and when you’re on a tight budget, keep the main dish simple and delegate everything else.
So agree with the budget issue, Kirstin! :) Happy late Fourth!