FACT — You Don’t Have to Be a Good Cook in Order to Be a Great Host
For whatever reason, people tend to hesitate or completely avoid hosting others for dinner, because they can't cook (or don’t like to cook). While they might appreciate and love eating good food, taking the time and effort to make it is not their cup o' tea. Perhaps they’re too afraid to mess up the meal and risk embarrassing themselves (especially if their guests happen to be really good cooks themselves). They’re convinced their food will never live up to such high standards.
Maybe they’re right. Or maybe not?
Who says you actually need to prepare a meal—on your own, from scratch—in order to enjoy a lovely gathering with your guests?
We say, nah. Such an undertaking can be saved for those that truly enjoy the process of designing and putting an elaborate feast together.
Instead, we’ve created a bunch of fun alternatives to “preparing” a meal for your guests, without all the nerves and fears getting in the way. After all . . .
What is on the table doesn't matter as much
as who is with you around the table.
May the following ideas spark your excitement and ignite enough courage for you to go ahead and plan a fun night in with friends. More importantly, may they liberate you from the pressures of what “tradition” deems to be good hosting.
12 Meal Ideas That Don't Require You Cooking
Raw Pizza — I know I know, it sounds worse than it looks. Think of it as bigger and flatter version of bruschetta. Come tomato season, the last thing you want to do is overcook those little gems and miss out on their rich fresh flavor. Pull out your favorite knife and start chopping away.
- Toppings — Make a buffet of various ingredients (in addition to tomatoes) like cucumber, onion, summer squash, olives, peppers, roasted red peppers, buffalo mozzarella, parmesan cheese, feta cheese, salami, ham (with some pineapple?!?), pepperoni, and anything else that wets your appetite. Don’t forget to include some fresh herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, scallions, and chives.
- Spreads — Think hummus, pesto, whipped ricotta cheese, olive tapenade. Even some extra virgin olive oil and quality balsamic vinegar makes for a nice finish to your pizza.
- Dough — Store-bought naan, pita, or pre-baked pizza dough all work nicely.
- Bonus Dessert — Create big circular ½” slices of watermelon. Spread some whipped cream mixed with a little cream cheese, and decorate them with fresh berries. Garnish with a little mint, and enjoy!
We encourage you to take these ideas and run, or better yet, play with them.
A good host isn’t defined by the quality of the food or how well a meal is put together. Ultimately it’s about the overall experience, the atmosphere, the conversations, the laughter, and the feeling of genuine connection.
So let it be casual. Let it be simple. And if you can, let it be perfectly imperfect.
It’s the thought that counts. For you to take the time to reach out and bring a couple (or several) friends together is something to be proud of. By letting go of old stifling hosting traditions, you’re giving yourself—and everyone else—the gift of a casual heartfelt gathering that will be cherished for years to come.
The more casual and quirky, the better. Seriously.
Imagine walking into someone’s cozy home for dinner and gazing upon the most glorious display of breads, jams, and nut butters on the table. Tell me you wouldn’t laugh out loud with delight and feel a little excited by the random awesomeness before you. It’ll feel like that time when Peter Pan (played by Robin Williams in the movie Hook) sits down at the “empty” dinner table with the Lost Boys and finally opens his eyes to the true magic of Never Never Land.
Such magic resides at your table too. Even if you haven’t conquered your kitchen, yet. (Now tell me I'm not the only one who wants to watch the movie again!)
Create delicious memories, friends.
—xo—
jessica
