How to Have a Dinner Party for $10 to $20

For those of us that wish we could entertain on a more regular basis and have those evenings be more cocktail party than child's birthday party, this is the article for you.

If you are crafty and imaginative a few dollars can be stretched to feed a multitude of people without a hamburger or cheese doodle in sight.

If you can get child care for the night and have an extra $20 you can throw a lovely dinner party for 10.

Below is a menu that includes appetizers, salad, entrée and dessert. I created this menu assuming that you have your staples already in place, spices and such. Also, since I eye ball my ingredients when I cook I have tried to give approximations on spices. My advice is to add a little at a time to your own taste.

Salmon Cakes

1 can of salmon - 1.99

½ cup Bread crumbs - Appr/.15

1 Large egg - .18

1 diced medium white onion - Appr/.30

½ - 1 teaspoon of seafood seasonings to taste (if unavailable, use garlic powder, onion powder, pinch of salt and black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste)

After mixing all ingredients form into mini sized balls and flatten, fry and arrange on a large platter. Personally, I simply drizzle lemon juice atop and call it a day, you can however add a small bowl of tartar sauce or hot sauce for dipping.

For a lovely fresh looking salad

1 head of iceberg lettuce shredded - 1.99

A small carrot shredded - Appr/.50

1 cucumber, thinly sliced - Appr/.80

A package of Mesculin salad (the colors from the salad will fancy up your iceberg lettuce) Appr/ 1.50

Toss with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste

Entrée and sides - baked Italian Chicken Thighs, garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus

10 Medium Chicken Thighs - 3.00

Oregano

Kosher Salt

Black Pepper

2 Capfuls of Vinegar

2 capfuls of Olive Oil

3 pounds of red potatoes - 2.00

Granulated garlic powder

4 tablespoons Butter - Appr/.50

¼ or more of 2 % milk - Appr/1.00

Package of frozen Asparagus - 2.59

Clean chicken, pat dry and toss with Oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, vinegar and olive oil. Make sure to coat each thigh evenly, bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

Boil potatoes, leaving skin on, mash and season with kosher salt, milk, butter and garlic powder to taste.

Steam package of asparagus. Arrange each plate with one thigh, serving of mashed potatoes and a few asparagus stems. Sprinkle Asparagus with lemon juice.

Dessert - Pudding in a cloud

2 packages of instant chocolate pudding - 1.29

1 container of cool whip - 1.99

After you make the pudding, spread small clear tumblers with cool whip and a few dollops of pudding, chill until time to serve.

Grand Tally: $19.78

For the price of a delivered pizza with toppings and 2 liter soda, you can enjoy a lovely meal, give your friends a reason to dress up a little and take pleasure in some delightful grown up conversation .

Enjoy!