How to Entertain on a Budget – Dinner Party Menu

The main course, for a dinner party menu, is where you will spend most of your money. The goal to host a dinner party on a budget is possible by choosing the main course carefully. Here are ideas for serving an exquisite main course, for a dinner party, on a budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Dinner Party Menu Idea – Use Eggs
   
   Eggs are an inexpensive alternative to meat. There are many egg casseroles, frittata, and quiche recipes that can be found at www.fabulousfoods.com (search egg recipes).

2. Dinner Party Menu - Splurge with Steak
   
   When times are tough a steak is a welcomed break from all the cutting back. Serve a cut that can be sliced and served family style. Add some dipping sauce for the steak and a complimentary side dish and the main course will be tasteful and within a budget.

3. Dinner Party Menu – Fondue
   
   A great way to stretch your dinner menu dollar is with a fondue for the main course. Cut the cubes so each guest has 12 cubes.
   
   Ingredients –
   • 3 pound piece boneless beef sirloin or tenderloin
   • Cooking oil (canola or other vegetable oil)
   • Butter
   
   Preparation Instructions:
   
   Trim the fat from the meat and cut into bit-size cubes. Keep refrigerated until 20 minutes before cooking.
   • Fill a metal fondue pot about 1/2 full with half oil and half butter (you can omit the butter, if you prefer).
   • Heat the oil/butter on the stove until is about 360 degrees.
   • When using the butter/oil combination heat slowly until the butter bubbles and the mixture turns a golden color.
   • Set the fondue pot on the stand over and maintain the heat.
   
   Serving Instructions:
   • Each guest spears a cube of beef with a fondue fork.
   • Hold it in the hot oil until cooked to their liking.
   • Dip in the fondue dipping sauce.
   
   Dipping Sauce
   
   Have a variety of dipping sauces that create a colorful display and a variety of tastes. There is a list of dipping sauces at www.easy-appetizer-recipes.com/fondue-dipping-sauces.html

Tips & Warnings

• Hosting a dinner party, with these dinner party menu ideas, can be done on a budget. The most important ingredient is the fact that friends and family are getting together.

Resources

• How to Entertain on a Budget – Easy Party Appetizers

[gahazeleyes]

on 8/10/2009 Enjoyed reading. Thanks 5*****