Okay, so I’ve been getting into this whole outdoor party-throwing thing lately. It’s super fun, but man, the prep work can be a real drag. So, I decided to get smart about it and started figuring out what I could make ahead of time. This way, I could actually enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen the whole time. Let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer! Here is my sharing about how I make ahead outdoor party food:
Figuring out what to make
First thing I did was to sit down and really think about what kind of food works for making ahead. I mean, not everything holds up well, right? So, I started looking up some ideas online. I saw a lot of people talking about freezing stuff, which is genius. I learned that you could make sauces, bread, even pie crusts a few days before and just pop them in the freezer.
Experimenting in the kitchen
Then came the fun part – experimenting! I started with some basics. I made a big batch of chili, because who doesn’t love chili at a party? I let it cool down and packed it into containers. Then, I moved on to some other stuff like I baked some potatoes, and made some burritos. Also, I tried making some meatballs with grape jelly and BBQ sauce. I found out they taste just as good reheated. I also tried slow-cooking some chicken in teriyaki sauce, and let me tell you, it was a hit!
Storing it all
Once I had all this food made, I had to figure out how to store it. For the frozen stuff, I made sure everything was cooled down before freezing to avoid any weird ice crystals. The things I made a day or two in advance, like the dips and some of the salads, I just kept in the fridge in airtight containers. This way everything is safe.
Party day!
When the party day finally rolled around, I was so relaxed. I pulled the frozen stuff out of the freezer the night before and let it thaw in the fridge. On the day of, I just had to reheat a few things, set out the cold dishes, and boom – party time! I even had time to set up a cute little chalkboard sign to welcome everyone.
Things I learned
Here are a few things I picked up along the way:
- Label everything: When you’re freezing a bunch of stuff, it’s easy to forget what’s what. So, I started labeling everything with the date and what it was.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: Not everything I tried worked out perfectly, but that’s okay. It’s all part of the learning process.
- Keep it simple: You don’t need a million different dishes. A few well-chosen, make-ahead items can be just as impressive.
Honestly, this whole make-ahead thing has made outdoor parties so much more enjoyable. It’s all about having fun and spending time with your guests, not being chained to the stove. So, if you’re planning a party, I definitely recommend giving it a try! You can search for some inspiration online to cook.