This is day 20 in a 31 day series on hospitality. Start from the beginning here.
1. Keep a list of great recipes.
The big question is always, “What should I cook?” Isn’t that the bane of the existence of every mother? Don’t you get tired of trying to figure out what to cook? That’s why I started keeping a collection of my favorite recipes on my blog—like a hope chest for my daughters someday. They’ll have all mom’s recipes at their fingertips. I’m always trying new recipes but there’s nothing like a few that are tried and true.
And what could be better than soup? I’m kinda like the soup whisperer. I LOVE soup. I make it every week, even in the summer. It’s comfort food. It feeds a crowd. You can make it stretch. It’s not expensive. Soup is your friend when you’re having company.
Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Cheeseburger {in paradise} Soup
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt
2. Plan ahead.
Make a menu. Right it down. When I’m having company, I plan every meal ahead and plan for plenty of snacks, cocktails, cookies, etc. I plan for things that can be at least partially prepared ahead. This allows you plenty of margin—-which translates into time, to visit with your company.
3. Cook ahead.
Almost everything can be frozen. I cook ahead and then freeze what freezes well. Soups freeze particularly well as do cookies. I almost always have those things in my freezer, just in case.
4. When all else fails, make homemade bread.
I always try to bake bread when company’s coming. The house smells amazing and everyone knows how much you love them. The end.
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If you have any favorite, tried and true recipes that would be great for showing hospitality, link to them in the comments. I will add some of those links back to this post!
Mwahhhhhh!
Edie, I am really enjoying this series on hospitality. I’m kind of sad we’re getting close to the end. I do have a recipe that is so easy and always a crowd pleaser. Corn Pudding – simply mix 1 box of Jiffy Cornbread mix, 1 can whole kernel corn (drained), 1 can cream style corn, 8 ounces sour cream, and 1 stick of butter (melted). Stir until everything is mixed well. Bake on 300 degrees for 45-50 minutes. It’s great straight from the oven, room temperature, or even straight from the fridge the next day! Enjoy!
i LOVE corn pudding, Angie! the recipe i usually use is a little different but this looks great too:) thanks for sharing!
Davis tried & tested favorites:
Fresh tomato soup: http://www.susiedavis.org/2012/01/fresh-tomato-soup-with-dilled-havarti/
Easy no roll pie crust: http://www.susiedavis.org/2012/08/no-roll-pie-crust/
And delightful coconut pie: http://www.susiedavis.org/2012/09/coconut-cream-pie/
And totally agree on the bread. Our family favorite is a french country loaf: http://www.susiedavis.org/2012/08/french-bread-and-a-book-trailer/
Can’t wait to try some of yours! Thanks, Edie!
Thanks, Susie! Can’t wait to try yours too:)))
Makes me smile to see you visiting!
xoxo
This is a great breakfast recipe: http://www.farmgirlfollies.com/2011/05/dutch-baby-breakfast-8255.html. Everybody likes creating their own masterpiece with favorite toppings like jams, syrup, etc., too!
Make up a fresh batch of biscuits (but we call them scones in Australia). Instead of butter and gravy, put a dollop of strawberry jam then a dollop of whipped cream (cool whip works!) and you have delicious Devonshire Tea (serve with coffee). It is quick and easy too. My Nan (grandma) would have this ready for us every time we would visit – such beautiful memories of a beautiful lady 🙂
This bacon recipe, a slew of scrambled eggs and Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon toast will feed a tribe for breakfast without the heavy clean up. Plus, if you have a convection oven, you can do several cookie sheets worth of toast and bacon at once.
http://farmersinthecity.blogspot.com/2012/03/let-them-eat-baconwithout-mess.html
I always try to keep some of your chocolate chip cookies in my freezer as they are the best!! Thanks for sharing your recipes.
This one is a recipe I stole from my sister who has 8 boys. http://pumpkinpiepainter.blogspot.com/2012/10/banana-split-pie-sweet-splendor.html You know it’s a keeper when the boys ask for it again and again! 🙂 Your recipes always look so heavenly as well. I feel like I can almost smell them in your pictures!! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing these recipes. I’m going to include some of them in my meal planning for when my sister in law comes next month.
Whenever I make Apple Caramel Brownies for people I get asked for the recipe, so they must be good, right? 🙂 They freeze really well, too! Here’s the recipe: http://www.creatingathome.com/2007/01/blog-candy_27.html
What a great idea to archive your favorite recipes on your blog for your girls! I think I’ll do that, too.
Here is one of my go-to recipes for family, company and potlucks.
http://www.growrootsandwings.com/2012/05/friday-love-basil-pesto.html
Bon appetit!
ps-I just read the account of your house fire a few days ago. It’s amazing to see now what God has brought from the ashes. Blessings to you, Edie!
Bless you! This is exactly the kind of help I needed! I can’t wait to dive into those recipes of yours! Thanks, Edie!
I made your beef stew the other day, it was wonderful! I really want to try your spicy tomato soup too. I make creamy tomato basil soup for my girlfriends when we get together in the winter. It’s so easy. 1 large can of tomato soup (family size), half of that can of heavy cream, chopped up basil, and a handful or two of Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for an hour and top with fresh basil and Parmesan.
Edie-
I have enjoyed your hospitality series immensely!! Sad to see it end soon (but happy to read about the pdf book!!). Made your potato corn chowder last night-easy and awesome. I’m with you re loving soup.
Have a great trip to FL
Your soups have quickly become some of our favorites. I also love your beef stew. It doesn’t get any better on a cold day. I love trying your recipes.
Thanks for an awesome series filled with such wisdom and heart.
Ruth
This is one of my favorites because I always have a ball of pie crust dough in the freezer, which is easy to pull out and fill with whatever fruit you have on hand. Apple happens to be my favorite, and it smells so darn good while baking!
Will be trying your honey wheat bread this weekend! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
This is one of my favorites because I always have a ball of pie crust dough in the freezer, which is easy to pull out and fill with whatever fruit you have on hand. Apple happens to be my favorite, and it smells so darn good while baking! http://www.redcottagechronicles.com/baking/rustic-apple-caramel-tart/
Will be trying your honey wheat bread this weekend! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I look forward to trying out some of your favorite recipes. Maybe you could include some ideas for pairings? I have many wonderful recipes, but run into trouble sometimes deciding which sides would round out the meal nicely.