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    Home » Party Menus

    Published: Oct 1, 2015 by Bridget · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Autumn Dinner Party - Timeline

    The Ever-Important Timeline

    Most important lesson I've learned:  everything always takes longer than I think it will.  Always.

    Keeping a list is so helpful -- especially when someone offers to help.  I can show them the list of things to be done and let them go wild!

    My list is very detailed -- don't let that intimidate you.  I'm just always striving to be organized.  It's a constant battle!

    Day before

    Infuse whiskey with apples.  Make soup, pie and sauces.  (To make reheating easier and to prevent soggy crust, the pie will be stored at room temperature.)  The sauces are going to be stored in microwave-safe containers to make it easier to reheat.  I'm going to serve the sauces in gravy boats, but even a heat proof glass container would be fine.

    I pull out the other serving dishes I'm going to use and make sure they're clean.  Now is the time to determine whether we'll be serving "family style" (easier) or if we're going to plate the food for our guests (fancier).  If I feel like setting the table at this point, there's nothing wrong with that.  It'll save me time tomorrow!

    Morning of

    Straighten house, set table, set up bar, chill champagne, mix pitcher of "mocktails" (except for club soda) and place in fridge to chill.

    TIP:  For the Apple Whiskey Cocktail, consider printing the recipe and placing it at the bar so guests can mix their own.

    October dinner party

    TIP:  For each of my tasks, I like to set a timer so I don't get carried away and take too long on any one task.  Sometimes I get distracted by shiny objects -- the timer keeps me focused!

    Make sure there's plenty of ice for drinks

    Now, head to the kitchen and get busy!

    Brine pork chops (careful:  this is for a maximum of 2 hours)

    While the pork is soaking in the brine:

    Prepare stuffing

    Prepare dip, cut pita bread into wedges and store in ziplock bag to keep fresh

    Stuff pork chops and sear both sides.  Then cover and store in fridge until ready to put in oven

    Prepare potatoes, cover and set aside until ready to put in oven

    Slice vegetables and store in fridge (keep the carrots separated because they take longer to cook)

    Put sour cream and chives in serving dishes, cover and store in fridge

    Tidy up kitchen, bathroom, living room and any other common areas.  Make sure there's enough tp and hand towels . . .

    Set dip/pita bread out

    Place condiments on the table (sour cream, chives, salt/pepper), maybe pitchers of ice water too

    Take pork out and place in baking dish on kitchen counter

    Place champagne in ice at bar so that it stays chilled

    Get the music going!

    Get dressed (grab a glass of wine to sip while getting dressed!  If I forget, Jeff usually reminds me!)

    Light candles

    At this point, I usually just remind myself to relax -- these are our friends.  Everything is going to be fun.  Whatever happens, happens!

    Greet guests and enjoy cocktail hour (sneak away quickly and preheat the oven)

    When oven is preheated (about 15 minutes), put the potatoes in

    40 minutes later, place pork chops in oven

    Re-heat soup, serve  (just before soup is heated, call guests to fill their drinks and take a place at the table).  If I wanted, I could even reheat the soup earlier and keep warm on low in a crock pot.

    Clear soup bowls and let guests take a break from the table while vegetable medley is sauteed

    Turn oven off and place pie in to reheat

    Serve and enjoy dinner

    Invite guests to mingle while table is cleared.

    After a little break, brew some coffee and go ahead and get the sauces heated and dessert served up.

    Bid farewell to guests and pat myself on the back for a job well done!  Jeff and I have been known to "high-five" each other.

    Be sure to share!

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    More Party Menus

    • A November Cocktail Party - the second in a series
    • Autumn Dinner Party - the first in a series

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    1. 7 Key Stages to Hosting a Successful Dinner Party - With Miss Scarlett says:
      February 25, 2022 at 9:29 am
      […] you time to do a few trips to the shops to ensure you have all you need. Bridget from The Recipe Wench has some useful planning tips on preparing in […]
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    Hi, I'm Bridget! So glad you're here! I'm a former legal secretary, now wife, mother, grandmother and full-time blogger. My husband Jeff and I live in Colorado with our doggies. My favorite things are family, doggies, gardening and cooking!.

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