How to Have a Wonderful Dinner Party on a Dime

Your closest family friends, who are in town this weekend, just called to say they were coming over tonight. You have just paid all your bills and your pet was taken to the vet today, leaving you with a hefty bill. Now you are wondering what to do to make your friends' visit an entertaining one. With a few dollars and a little planning, you can throw a really nice dinner party to impress your friends.

For your dinner course, you can prepare a Chicken Cordon Bleu. Sounds fancy, doesn't it? Well, all you need is a small pack of fresh, whole chicken breast, a few slices of ham, and Swiss cheese. Dredge the chicken in egg, seasoned flour and breadcrumbs, and then brown the chicken in oil. Top the browned chicken with ham slices and Swiss cheese and cook in oven until cheese is melted. Serve over a bed of fresh pasta tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation. A fresh spring mix of greens and cherry tomatoes drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette add a finishing touch to the meal. Don't forget the French bread!

For a very delicious, but quick dessert, you can make a Mixed Fruit Trifle. It's a refreshing dessert made with layers of fresh fruit, custard or pudding, cake and whipped cream topping. To make the "express" version, you can use instant pudding mix (banana or vanilla) and pound cake. Prepare the pudding according to instructions on the package and chill. Then cut the pound cake into bite-sized chunks. The small ones you find in the tin at the grocery store will do just fine. In a large bowl, alternate the layers of fruit, pudding and cake and top with whipped cream. It makes a beautiful dessert and it's easy to prepare.

If you would like to set the mood for your dinner party, you do not have to spend a lot of money on decorations. Just go to your local dollar store. You can find nice pieces such a silk flowers, candles, vases, and table runners to create a beautiful theme or ambience.

So you see, you do not need to spend lots of money to entertain. All you need is a flair for taking simple, cheaper items or ingredients and adding value to it to create something special. So the next time you want to have a really good time, don't go out. Stay at home!