Gathering with friends is vital for our well-being. Here's how to host in the winter without a fuss, plus 10 Potluck friendly dinners and desserts for right now.
A long while back we pubbed a great essay on Serious Eats about a Friday Night Meatballs tradition with friends. I think the writer literally shared a google doc signup sheet each week with however many chairs they had and whoever signed up came. It has stuck with me that the rules were: no cleaning. The connection is the point. Especially as food professionals I think we can put too much pressure on doing something impressive.
Maggie, I love this thanks for sharing it! I'm going to try to find that article. Our dear friends used to own a house in Jersey City and had a tradition they called the Corner Table. Anyone could join them for a meal any night as long as they brought two or three things to share. It could be just a bottle of wine or a loaf of bread - nothing fancy-but enough to stretch whatever meal they were already making. That open door policy is more tricky with kids (they didn't have any) but I think we gain so much when we have more fluidity within our communities. 100% it involves letting our guard down: allowing people to peek behind the curtain to a less impressive regular weeknight meal and the messes that come with daily life. But I think that breeds closeness and trust.
just realized that even after reading all of that I still said "dinner parties" in my comment 🙃 January brain has hijacked my comprehensive reading skills it seems
I do have a question, if you don't mind. I received a case of quart jars of fresh chicken bone broth (refrigerated kind) from a commercial producer. I have 2 left, and they've been in my freezer for more than 6 months, but less than 9. Is it still safe to use? I've found differing guidelines online, and I'm not sure if the idea to toss is spoilage or just degradation of flavor. I hate to toss, but I don't want to get sick if they're not safe to use. Solidly frozen and sealed the whole time. Thank you.
Hi Denise, great question. The flavor and quality will likely be diminished, but it will still be safe to use. I too hate to waste, specially if it's a reallyhigh-quality.broth. Once you open it, you'll be able to smell right away if it has a freezer burn. You can revive it by simmering it before using with some fresh herbs, like thyme, and maybe even a little pat of salted butter.
This is SUCH great advice! I regularly fall into the perfection trap… “I can’t have people see the place like this!” But lowering the standards certain makes for more fun and less stress. Thank you for this reminder! XO
Thank you for this beautiful note, Lindsey! My standard, even for my own family dinner, is sometimes too high. I've been taking a cue from friends from cultures where judgment is not a thing. Friends who never apologize for bringing the easiest dish to a potluck or who never blink when they open the door to their own messes. It's so refreshing (and they are deeply happy people)!
thank you, Denise. I hope you try some of these! A couple on the list I've forgotten about myself, like the double duty pot roast which is just so good and if you have non-picky vegetarians he will eat lovely vegetable stew alongside meat you've got a winner for mixed groups!!
I usually add lots of veggies to mine. Having three boys and a husband, you can never have enough sides. lol Though, we're down to one at home, and he's away at college most of the time. This type of potluck-style dinner would be great if my other empty nester friends were nearby.
This one has been hard for me, but Ive been actively working on this winter and I'm honestly feeling way more relaxed and loved/loving--messy kitchen and all!
Love the idea of a potluck non-dinner party, particularly the idea of the kids socialising with different groups of children outside their usual school/club settings. Definitely something to focus on more this year!
Thank you for your note, Kate! I have seen so much benefit from these friend dinners for my kids over the years. My daughter, now 14, is one of the oldest kids among our group of friends. She's now a confident babysitter and enjoys having new responsibilities, and the parents enjoy getting to finish conversations (ha!). Of course, there are occasional problems they need the grown-ups to help solve, and often, there are more messes to clean up after than our kids alone can make, but it's always felt worth it.
Thank you for such great inspiration for easy gathering, Sarah. I needed some encouragement on that end for right now. I would add a baked potato bar to your great suggestions-I did that over the holidays to much acclaim. 🤩
ooh excellent idea, Denise! my kids would LOVE that! I would love that. So easy and delicious. Now I'm craving on with broccoli and drippy cheese and sour cream. 🥔
Thank you, dear Alexis. I love the aspirational, glorified friend dinner and the low-key (parent-style) phase of friend dinner'ing I'm in now. And I love living vicariously through you - a portal to my former dinner party host prowess. 🤍
A long while back we pubbed a great essay on Serious Eats about a Friday Night Meatballs tradition with friends. I think the writer literally shared a google doc signup sheet each week with however many chairs they had and whoever signed up came. It has stuck with me that the rules were: no cleaning. The connection is the point. Especially as food professionals I think we can put too much pressure on doing something impressive.
Maggie, I love this thanks for sharing it! I'm going to try to find that article. Our dear friends used to own a house in Jersey City and had a tradition they called the Corner Table. Anyone could join them for a meal any night as long as they brought two or three things to share. It could be just a bottle of wine or a loaf of bread - nothing fancy-but enough to stretch whatever meal they were already making. That open door policy is more tricky with kids (they didn't have any) but I think we gain so much when we have more fluidity within our communities. 100% it involves letting our guard down: allowing people to peek behind the curtain to a less impressive regular weeknight meal and the messes that come with daily life. But I think that breeds closeness and trust.
Mmm love the intentionality in this post. Been in Camp Isolation for too long, more dinner parties is a big goal for this year 🧡
Hi Caroline, I cant wait to hear about your first/next dinner with friends. ❤️
just realized that even after reading all of that I still said "dinner parties" in my comment 🙃 January brain has hijacked my comprehensive reading skills it seems
Love the minestrone.
I do have a question, if you don't mind. I received a case of quart jars of fresh chicken bone broth (refrigerated kind) from a commercial producer. I have 2 left, and they've been in my freezer for more than 6 months, but less than 9. Is it still safe to use? I've found differing guidelines online, and I'm not sure if the idea to toss is spoilage or just degradation of flavor. I hate to toss, but I don't want to get sick if they're not safe to use. Solidly frozen and sealed the whole time. Thank you.
Hi Denise, great question. The flavor and quality will likely be diminished, but it will still be safe to use. I too hate to waste, specially if it's a reallyhigh-quality.broth. Once you open it, you'll be able to smell right away if it has a freezer burn. You can revive it by simmering it before using with some fresh herbs, like thyme, and maybe even a little pat of salted butter.
I love this minestrone too!! 🥣
Thank you so much!
This is SUCH great advice! I regularly fall into the perfection trap… “I can’t have people see the place like this!” But lowering the standards certain makes for more fun and less stress. Thank you for this reminder! XO
Thank you for this beautiful note, Lindsey! My standard, even for my own family dinner, is sometimes too high. I've been taking a cue from friends from cultures where judgment is not a thing. Friends who never apologize for bringing the easiest dish to a potluck or who never blink when they open the door to their own messes. It's so refreshing (and they are deeply happy people)!
Love this, Sarah. I'll be linking to it next week!
thank you, Nicki. I appreciate that! I can't wait to see what you're writing next.
What a wonderful thing! Food looks and sounds delicious, too.
thank you, Denise. I hope you try some of these! A couple on the list I've forgotten about myself, like the double duty pot roast which is just so good and if you have non-picky vegetarians he will eat lovely vegetable stew alongside meat you've got a winner for mixed groups!!
I usually add lots of veggies to mine. Having three boys and a husband, you can never have enough sides. lol Though, we're down to one at home, and he's away at college most of the time. This type of potluck-style dinner would be great if my other empty nester friends were nearby.
Yes to all of this! And especially the no apologies offered for messy house/kitchen/hair, lol!
This one has been hard for me, but Ive been actively working on this winter and I'm honestly feeling way more relaxed and loved/loving--messy kitchen and all!
Love the idea of a potluck non-dinner party, particularly the idea of the kids socialising with different groups of children outside their usual school/club settings. Definitely something to focus on more this year!
Thank you for your note, Kate! I have seen so much benefit from these friend dinners for my kids over the years. My daughter, now 14, is one of the oldest kids among our group of friends. She's now a confident babysitter and enjoys having new responsibilities, and the parents enjoy getting to finish conversations (ha!). Of course, there are occasional problems they need the grown-ups to help solve, and often, there are more messes to clean up after than our kids alone can make, but it's always felt worth it.
Thank you for such great inspiration for easy gathering, Sarah. I needed some encouragement on that end for right now. I would add a baked potato bar to your great suggestions-I did that over the holidays to much acclaim. 🤩
ooh excellent idea, Denise! my kids would LOVE that! I would love that. So easy and delicious. Now I'm craving on with broccoli and drippy cheese and sour cream. 🥔
Yes to drippy cheese, broccoli and sour cream !!
Love this!!!
Thank you, dear Alexis. I love the aspirational, glorified friend dinner and the low-key (parent-style) phase of friend dinner'ing I'm in now. And I love living vicariously through you - a portal to my former dinner party host prowess. 🤍
I think the joy is that there’s room for both in every phase of life!!!