Serious Eats had a lovely selection of party snacks that mostly need <20 mins to put together.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/12/60-easy-appetizers-in-20-minutes-or-less-holiday-entertaining-dips-snacks-recipes-hors-doeuvres.html?ref=search

But a good cheese board is fine as well. Make sure to put the cheese out an hour before your guests arrive, so that it isn't cold when they eat it. And a nice condiment, like quince paste, or fig compote, or whatever goes well with your cheese selection, in addition to some nuts/ olives/ crackers, will make it special.

For dessert, a couple of really quick ideas if you want to go homemade:
Panna cotta takes only 15 minutes and demands to be made the previous day. You can serve it simply with a spiced red wine reduction.
Alice Medrich's Hot Chocolate Pudding: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/12/hot-chocolate-pudding-recipe-alice-medrich/

For appetizers, I saw Giada on the Today Show this morning with these recipes, which all sounded really good and EASY.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/50251108/ns/today-food/

For dinner, I like the salmon and lasagna ideas, and if you want something a little out of the ordinary, try making Moussaka.

App:
buy spiced nuts, nice cheeses and crackers, fancy olives. Just go to WF and get a mix.


I agree with Salmon - get a big fillet and top with herbs and thin slices of lemon for presentation. And agree with green beans or asparagus.

If you want something easier than potatoes, buy some premade while rice pilaf from WF or something.

Agree to buy dessert.

Lasagna is not elegant, IMO.

I would go with the salmon and/or steak, roasted veggies, salad etc. like PP suggested.

olive tray

broiled salmon with capers and lemons
steamed baby potatoes
green beans or asparagus
winter salad

I'd do a beef roast on Saturday and re-heat to room temperature on Sunday, serve with rolls, mustard and horseradish sauce, re-heated mashed potatoes or some other starch, a salad and some steamed broccoli.

Apps - I'd probably also do the cheese, fruit and crackers, although chips and salsa and a veggie tray is also quick and easy. You can buy a shrimp cocktail ring at the grocery and put it out quickly too (as pp said). I would buy dessert.

Cheesecake factory

Anonymous wrote:Cheese is for dessert.

Yes...in Europe.

Cheese is for dessert.

lasagna and salad is not nice, its pot luck.

Rack of lamb is quick and good.

Steaks grilled always good.

Paella is a hit and not much end prep time.

Osso Bucco is fancy, good for fall and cooks mostly in oven.

For apps, can't beat a cheese board. To make it fancy, toss some grapes, raisins, and/or nuts around it, and put out a jar of fig jam with it.

You could make a lasagna Saturday. Also toss together the makings of a spinach salad, and spread butter and garlic on a sliced loaf of bread.

On Sunday you either bake the lasagna or reheat it if you baked it Saturday; dress the salad with a balsamic vinaigrette; and throw the bread in the oven with some herbs. Presto.

Add wine and Trader Joe's frozen dessert(s).

what we would do:

apps: cheese, crackers, grapes, maybe sliced apples or pears OR shrimp cocktail

dinner:
flank steak(s) on the grill OR roasted salmon filet (Mark Bittman recipe)
roasted veggie
salad
good bread
good wine

dessert: outsourced, maybe a selection of mini tortes; or really good brownies a la mode

Flank steak and salmon both cook pretty quickly. The flank steak does need to be marinated, but you can start that on Saturday. If you have more time, a roast (beef or pork) is super easy, but does take time in the oven.

This recipe does require some cooking, but it's not too difficult to throw together, has a wow factor, and tastes even better the next day (so you could make it Saturday and just rewarm on the stove). You can sub beef or chicken for the lamb. It's one of my favorites at the moment.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Moroccan-Slow-Cooked-Lamb-231597

As for appetizers, I'd just go with some nice cheeses, grapes, and crackers.

I will be hosting a dinner party for a total of 6 adults on Sunday evening, with very little time on Sunday to prep/cook. I'd rather not do takeout though. I could do some stuff on Saturday. Suggestions for a menu, including your go-to appetizers/munchies that can just be set out with little to no prep? Thanks!