Honey, Company is Coming Over!

Sunday is one of my favorite nights to have company over for dinner and drinks. I welcome the preparation, enjoy cleaning up my home, planning the menu, and running to the grocery. Am I crazy or what! I heart grocery shopping! Seriously. What is even better is that you can now buy beer and wine on Sunday. (sans Forest Acres...boo!) Maybe it is just that I don't want the weekend to end and the work week to begin when I arise. Nonetheless, there is just something nice about relaxing with a glass of vino and gathering with your friends and family for an yummy meal. As we all know, even though Fall is setting in, South Carolinians are blessed with mild tempatures. Enjoy the crisp evenings before it gets too cold and take advantage of your grill while you still can!

Keep these party suggestions in mind for when your next impromptu gathering arises.

Another great way to always be prepared for a party is to frequent stores such as Pier One and World Market for deals on bright tea candle holders, colorful placemats and other accessories. Create a “party” box, drawer, or shelf in your home where you store these supplies. Keep staples in your pantry, fridge, and freezer for whipping up easy dips and side dishes. Along with a quick trip to your local gourmet grocery for a few fresh ingredients, you will be ready for any crowd!

Appetizer:
Store –bought Pimento Cheese and French Rounds are my favorite. Also, a friend shared with me her “go-to” when unexpected guests stop by. “That would be corn and bean salsa! It is a can of shoepeg corn, a can of Rotel tomatoes, and can of black beans, be sure to rinse the beans. Serve with Scoops. I always have it in my pantry. I could throw it together if you came by my house right now. And I always have wine!” she said.

Fancy-n-Easy Mixed Greens Salad:
-Ingredients:
-Baby Greens, prepackaged, one bag feeds about 4ppl
-One bunch green onions, diced
-Feta, get two packages if serving more than 4ppl
-Diced Walnuts, whole are less expensive – but a pain to chop
-Cherry Tomatoes - halved
-Fresh Strawberries, and/or Can of Mandarin Oranges (omit both and add dried cranberries in the cooler months), slice strawberries
-Vinaigrette dressing, I recommend “Champagne Dressing” if you can find it – i.e. Fresh Market

Mix the entire containers all of the ingredients, except use ½ the strawberries, together and toss with dressing before serving. Pop in refrigerator until ready.

Either of these main dishes work well….

Salmon – pick these up in the fresh seafood department of a nicer grocery store. You can usually find many pre-marinated types. My recommendation is the “Bourbon Marinated Salmon” at the Fresh Market. Cook on grill for about 15-20 minutes. “Pam” the grill before grilling and loosen salmon from grill right after placing it on the hot grate to keep it from sticking. Some folks say not to flip it; it is really up to you.

Beer Can Chicken –
-1 chicken, about 3lbs., serves 4 ppl.
-Seasoning Salt
-Garlic Powder
-Black pepper
-One can of beer

Wash and drain the chicken and pat dry. Coat the chicken inside and out with seasoning salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to cook. Prepare the grill. Indirect cooking, either push the hot coals to the outer sides of the grill, leaving a hollow middle or light just one side of a gas grill. Open the can of beer and drink 3 gulps. Place the beer can, keeping it upright, into the rear cavity of the chicken. Carefully place the chicken, standing on top of the can, in the unlit portion of the grill. Use its little legs for balance. Cover the grill and cook the chicken for appx. 1 hour, or until done, rotating the chicken as necessary. The chicken is done when the juice runs clear when pricked with a fork.
Carefully remove the beer can from the chicken. It will be hot! Cut the chicken into halves or quarters.

Corn on the Cob – pick up one ear per guest. Shuck and boil with a spoonful of sugar for about 20 minutes. Fresh white corn takes less time. Add butter and salt after cooked.

Cheese Grits –
Choose your favorite grits and cook accordingly. I like the “quick” preparation ones. Add sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and salt and pepper. Jalapeños make a spicy addition. 5-25 minutes.

Strawberry Shortcake or Pre-Made Key Lime Pie
Pre-made shortcakes
Diced strawberries, mix with sugar/and or strawberry jelly/jam
Cool Whip
Layer each for a light dessert.

Grocery List:
Produce:
Baby Greens, 1-2 bags
Spring Onions
Cherry Tomatoes
Corn on the Cob, one per guest
Strawberries, optional
Lemon, optional for fish
Canned Vegetables:
Mandarin Oranges, optional
Pimentos
Jalapeños, optional
Dry Goods:
Grits
Fancy crackers
Meat/Fish:
One whole (3lb.) chicken, serves 4ppl
Or, one salmon steak, per guest
Dairy:
Feta, 1-2 containers, pending party size
Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated – including enough for pimento cheese (mayo?)
Misc.:
Shortcakes or Key Lime Pie
Cool Whip, optional
Strawberry jelly preserves, optional
Dried cranberries, optional
Walnuts
Vinaigrette dressing, preferably “champagne”
Alcohol:
Beer, one can for chicken, optional

Wine Selection: (either choose one red and one white or say two of one type) about 4 glasses per regular size (750mL) bottle
Smoking Loon - all are yummy, typically choose the reds, $
Cavit Pinot Grigio – get the magnum, $, good for big crowd
Yellowtail Chardonnay - $, also comes in larger bottles
Clos Du Bos Chardonnay - $$, buttery white
Cambria Chardonnay - $$, not your expected and affordable
Ecco Domani Merlot - $, easy to drink red
Penfolds – Merlot, sometimes says reserve - $, the entire line is good
Wente – red or white – enjoy all - $$
Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon - $$, packs a punch
Château St. Michelle Riesling – sweet in taste, $
Vueve Clicquot – only the best champagne – for a special occasion -$$$, should range $30-$50 bottle depending on location

Hints:
-A gorgeous hostess dress, a glass of wine, and a helpful spouse are three keys to keeping you relaxed and ready.
-During your weekly grocery trips: look for specials on steaks, ribs, burgers, and chicken that could be frozen for use another time.
-A foldable table, a table cloth, large beverage container, and seasonal serving pieces create an instant buffet area.
-Olive oil, parmageiano cheese, nuts, onions, grits, tea bags, bacon, red potatoes, frozen spinach, chicken stock, canned tomatoes, canned beans, tomato sauce, and a variety of pasta are a few basics to keep on hand.
-A bottle of each white and red wine, and a six pack of each domestic and import beer give you options to serve your guests.
-Visit one of the large wholesale liquor stores for great buys!
-Sparkling water with a twist of lemon or lime makes a light, non-alcoholic beverage.
-Catch Phase is a fun game for a crowd, about $15
-Put a fresh towel in the guest bath.
-In a small glass, put a few flowers.

Punch I Stole From Grayson (great punch!!!):-In a large punch bowl, mix one bottle of inexpensive champagne, about ½ 2 liter of ginger ale, and one frozen mixer – fruit punch, orange cranberry, etc. Add seasonal fruit – strawberries, limes, lemons, cranberries, etc. Frozen concentrate flavors and keeps chilled. Add more of each as necessary.