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Luxury Dinner Party

We've made it to round 3 of project food blog!! Thank you everyone for voting us on through! Now it's onto a luxury dinner party, would you like to join us? Voting opens Monday and you can vote here(click on the red heart to vote! you need to sign up with Foodbuzz to vote). Or by clicking the vote button in the top of the left hand column.

Here are a few steps on how to throw an amazing dinner party without any crazy stress.

Step 1: Figure out who you are inviting. This will determine the tone of the party. If you are inviting your friends who will only eat pizza and wings... don't make sushi. Even if you want to make sushi, make sure everyone is happy and comfortable, picky eaters and all!


We invited the in-laws over, they aren't picky eaters by any means so we had plenty of options.

Step 2: Now that you know who's coming, plan your menu. Write it all out by course and make a grocery list. Keep your meal plan handy, that way you wont forget to put something out only to remember once everyone has left. (not like that's ever happened to me before or anything...)

Butternut squash and leek soup is easy to prepare and freeze. (recipe to come) Keep a few containers in your freezer and you have an easy first course always on hand.

I decided to go with a fall flavors theme, pumpkins, squash, apples. Check out our menu.


Greens with honey crisp apple slices, walnuts, apple cider white wine reduction, and balsamic honey dressing


Step 3: Ask for help if you need it. Have a friend who lives next to the best bakery in town? Ask them to stop and pick up a loaf of bread on the way. A sister who makes the best chocolate cake? Ask her! It really is OK to ask for help! In my book it's preferred. When I'm asked somewhere and they refuse to let me bring anything I always feel bummed out (and end up showing up with something anyway).


Pumpkin gnocchi sounds crazy complicated but it's really easy to make. The best part is they freeze perfectly. Make them the day or week ahead of time, then all you have to do the day of is boil water and toss them in.

Step 4: Sit back and have a good time! Don't try to clean up the dishes while everyone is still there. They can wait until later. Enjoy your friends and relax!

Pumpkin pizzelles with pumpkin ice cream compliments of a cute homemade ice cream shop in town

Hope you enjoyed our dinner party! If you liked it vote here.

40 chews:

I love your fall theme- everything looks delicious! That pumpkin gnocci has me intrigued. :)

Rachel said...

Congratulations on getting to round 3! This dinner party is a sure winner too.
I never would have guessed that pumpkin gnocci was easy to make. Very elegant!

Lisa said...

What a beautiful fall menu. It all sounds so good I wish I was invited to your dinner party. But, I'll definitely be voting for you.

Jeanne said...

Looks like a fabulous dinner party! Yum, yum, YUM!
Next time invite me! Just kidding... well... kinda. :)

Evan @swEEts said...

I would have loved to be at this dinner party! Especially with all the wonderful pumpkin flavors!

Astra Libris said...

Wow... I'm still swooning over the pumpkin gnocci... and all of your gorgeous photos!! Congratulations!!!

I love all the pumpkin dishes! I always struggle with making gnocchi, so it's inspiring to hear you say it's not too bad. I will have to give it another try! Good luck!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I love your Fall theme. This is one of my favorite culinary times of the year :)

Great job on creating your dinner party--keep up the great work! Fingers crossed for ya!

RhodeyGirl said...

Great job Steph! Just voted for you.

Are you coming to Foodbuzz Festival this year?

stephchows said...

Woohoo so glad you'd all want to join in!!

Jogging with fiction - thanks so much will check it out!

Looks like the pumpkin gnocchi was a hit! It really is so easy. Pumpkin, whole wheat flour, salt, mix, form a log, and cut into pieces! YUM!

RhodeyGirl- It's looking to be 99% sure I'm going!! I'm preregistered so hopefully they open real registration soon so I can book my flight!! Will you be there??

Natty said...

Beautiful table, beautiful people and beautiful menu! I wish I'd worked some pumpkin into my menu. Well done!

Natalie said...

what a great menu! I need to make some pumpkin gnocchi!!

Whitney said...

that soup looks amazeballs!! i am going to have to try it! you get my vote sister!

voted for you!

Reeni said...

Everything looks delicious Steph! Love those pumpkin gnocchi and the pizzelles. Voting and tweeting - good luck!

Looks delicious! I love the presentation of the ice cream. I voted for you (again!) Good luck.

jen cheung said...

VOTEDDDDDDD! Good luck! Wish you all the best!

jen @ www.passion4food.ca

Lori Lynn said...

Sounds like a perfectly lovely dinner. Great photos! Good luck!
LL

Voted! Looks like a lovely menu and dinner part Steph.

Allison said...

Looks super yummy! You've got my vote!

Hi Stephanie. Thanks so much for your comment! I'm sad I didn't advance too :( I'm trying to look on the bright side though -- I'm now saving time and money :) I'm still voting and definitely giving one to you. Good luck!

Shelly, Nibbles of Tidbits

Anonymous said...

mmmm that gnocci looks amazing!

Unknown said...

I love the heavy use of gourds in this meal. Everything looks so well prepared, yet still elegant. Your pizzelles are beautiful.

Lick My Spoon

Jessica said...

Love your menu! Hope we both make it to the next round! :-) You have my vote!

stephchows said...

Again I just want to thank you all for all of the wonderful comments, you guys ROCK!!!!

What a beautiful, seasonal meal, Steph! Your guests were lucky indeed! I'm voting for you and wishing you continued success and good luck in the next round!!! :)

Stephanie said...

Sounds amazing! I love fall and its flavors. Just voted for you, good luck!

Pumpkin pizelles!! My mom has made pizelles since I can remember, they are a family favorite but I've only seen chocolate, vanilla or classic! I'm sending her the recipe!

Ed said...

Lovely pictures and you have my vote.

Danielle said...

Love the menu and your centerpiece! Great job and good luck in round 3!

Emily said...

Everything looks awesome! I'm voting for you! Good luck!

Daily Spud said...

The advice to freeze ahead is a great one - I always like to have some soups and such stashed away - great to have if you need to feed people at short notice and definitely helps to reduce dinner party stress! Congrats on a gorgeous spread and best of luck in this round.

Diana Bauman said...

Steph, what a beautiful dinner. I really enjoyed your seasonal menu and would love a seat at your table! Voted!!!

What a beautiful, seasonal meal, Steph! Your guests were lucky indeed! I'm voting for you and wishing you continued success and good luck in the next round!!! :)

Jessica said...

Love your menu! Hope we both make it to the next round! :-) You have my vote!

Natalie said...

what a great menu! I need to make some pumpkin gnocchi!!

Natty said...

Beautiful table, beautiful people and beautiful menu! I wish I'd worked some pumpkin into my menu. Well done!

Lori Lynn said...

Sounds like a perfectly lovely dinner. Great photos! Good luck!
LL

Jeanne said...

Looks like a fabulous dinner party! Yum, yum, YUM!
Next time invite me! Just kidding... well... kinda. :)

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