There is nothing quite like a cosy, casual night in with friends and family. Inviting your nearest and dearest around for an evening of good food, excellent company and perhaps a few films or games is a perfect way to spend a Friday or Saturday night. While there is nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned takeaway, you may want to go the extra mile and make something simple yet delicious for your loved ones to enjoy. Consider the following ideas and recipes ideal for a casual night in.
Tear And Share Garlic Bread
Few people will refuse garlic bread, particularly when it’s fresh, homemade and bursting with rustic flavour. While the prospect of making bread can be somewhat overwhelming, the process isn’t as complex as it’s sometimes made out to be. All you need is the right balance of ingredients and a little patience. The beauty of tear and share garlic bread is you can add almost anything you like to enhance it, such as chopped fresh herbs, chilli flakes, caramelised onions or melted mozzarella.
Crudités
Crudités are raw vegetables, often thinly sliced into batons and beautifully arranged on a platter with dipping sauces like hummus, sour cream and garlic mayonnaise. Simple, low-effort and affordable crudités are ideal when you’re short of time and need to whip something up in a pinch. Classic crudité vegetables include carrots, cauliflower, peppers, asparagus, radish and cucumber; however, you can add anything you have lying around in the fridge waiting to be used up.
Nachos
Nachos are the perfect food for sharing with friends as you lose yourselves in a good movie. Good nachos consist of crunchy tortilla chips and classic dips such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa and queso. While you can purchase these accompaniments from the supermarket, your nachos will be so much better if you go to the effort of making them from scratch. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a whole lot of skill and culinary knowledge to whip up a deliciously tangy salsa or rich, creamy guacamole.
Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is a fantastic way to add an element of luxury to your casual evening. A traditional charcuterie board consists of fine cheeses, cold cuts and extras such as bread, crackers, dried fruits and nuts. Generally speaking, charcuterie boards should have three to five varying cheeses and the same number of cured meats to balance flavours and complement textures. You can truly elevate a charcuterie board by pairing your meats and cheeses with expertly-selected wines.
Selection Of Wine
Speaking of wine, buying several varieties to suit every guest’s palate is always wise. While some guests may prefer a crisp, zesty Italian Pinot Grigio, others may have a penchant for a deep, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Opt for crowd-pleasing varieties and keep your guests’ glasses topped up throughout the evening. Make sure you store your wine at the optimal drinking temperature; for instance, most red wines should be served slightly cooler than room temperature, between 62–68 degrees F (15–20 °C).
Buffalo Chicken/Cauliflower Wings
Buffalo chicken wings are another classic recipe perfect for sharing with friends. While you can tailor the heat of your recipe according to your preferences, ensure you serve your fiery wings with cooling homemade ranch dip made from sour cream, lemon, garlic and herbs. You could even make buffalo cauliflower wings as a meatless alternative - spicy, savoury and irresistible to vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Cocktails
Homemade cocktails are perfect for any occasion. From easy-to-mix cosmopolitans to show-stopping original creations, cocktail-making allows you to explore your creativity while being the host with the most. You and your guests could even make a game out of it whereby you each create a signature cocktail for one another to judge. Make sure you purchase various liquors, mixers and embellishments like fresh fruit and herbs.
Bao Buns
Bao buns, also known as 'steamed buns' or 'baozi, are delicious, warm fluffy buns often stuffed with a variety of fillings such as sticky pork, crispy chicken or spicy tofu. Bao buns originated in the Chinese province of Fujian; hence, fillings are mostly Chinese-influenced. Consider making several choices of fillings so your house guests can help themselves, not forgetting a variety of crunchy, raw salad veggies and fresh herbs.