Entertaining Made Easy: How to Wow Your Guests with Little Effort

It's happened to all of us--either the unexpected guest or the panicked moment when you realize that you have company coming over and haven't thought of what to make. What to do! While I love entertaining, I've been stuck in this moment too and it can be made easy with a little bit of preparation ahead of time. For me, I've found that when I actually do have spare time I scour the Internet for recipes that are either super easy or have very few ingredients, then I keep these on hand for such situations. By now I have such recipes committed to memory--and every time without fail the guest are impressed and I'm thrilled that I just threw a few things together. I also find that keeping a few ingredients on hand can make for some quick and easy throw together dishes that work great!

Here's a few tips:

*Keep an eye out at the grocery store when there's a sale on some of these items and stock up. I always have the following on hand for "company emergencies":

Cream Cheese: Can cover in jam for an easy appetizer, can be used as the base for a dip mixed with mayo and parmesan cheese, or can be covered in refrigerated biscuit dough and dill and thrown in the oven until bubbly.

Sour Cream & Dry Soup Mixes: Can mix together for a simple Vegetable or Onion Dip to go with veggies or chips.

Jars of Pesto Sauce: This is my favorite! You can throw this with cream cheese for a great dip, spread alone on breads or crackers, mix with parmesan and mayo for an excellent dip or topper. This is so favorable (either Basil or Sundried Tomato) that you can really get creative with it!

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Mix with some of the ingredients above for great appetizers, or simply top with cheese and some of your favorite toppings for something to pop in the oven. It will look like you fussed when really it took you five minutes!

*Always keep a couple of bottles of wine, pop, and some beer on hand. It's always best to look for these when on sale and stock up, then you have it in the house for any unexpected company.

*For a simple dessert in a pinch, keep the dried cookie dough that you can mix with oil and eggs on hand--people have really mistaken these for homemade at my house! You can also throw together angel food cake (broken in pieces) with chocolate (or vanilla) pudding and Cool Whip. This ridiculously easy dessert is a sure fire win!

With an eye out for sales and a little preparation when you don't need it, you can throw a great party that's super easy--and your guests will think you fussed!