Easy Entertaining with What You Have in the Pantry

In this post: If you’ve ever had unexpected guests drop by, you’ll love these easy entertaining tips for an impromptu wine and charcuterie party.⇒

Last weekend the phone rang.

An old friend was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by. I was delighted to see her and said “sure, come on over!” Then I went to the refrigerator to see what snacks I could serve.

There was a half bagel, 2 lemons and some left over pad thai from 3 days ago. I was mortified!

Well, ok, there were a few more things, but nothing that could readily be put together into a cohesive spread of hors d’oeuvres.

If it was my brother, I’d just take out the pad thai and let him dig into the container. But this was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. I needed to get creative.

Start with Wine

Step one was to take out a bottle of wine. I figured serving drinks would cover a multitude of sins. We have a wine fridge and always keep wine chilled and ready to serve. This was a good place to start.

Next I pulled out my prettiest goblets and this inspired me to style a lovely presentation. What it lacked in substance, I’d make up for in visuals.

If you don’t have wine, or any spirits for that matter, you can still make festive drinks by mixing sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. Bonus points if you have lemon or lime for a twist.

Assess What You Have on Hand

I was now on a roll and this drove me to take a closer look at what we had on hand. There were some grapes in the produce bin. And a package of crackers. And finally an epiphany… I had some cheese!

Not really the selection I’d gather if I was planning this in advance, but enough to munch on with a glass of wine. A mini wine and cheese party. Now we were in business.

Taking stock of what you have in the house will help you come up with a little ‘theme’ for your gathering. The items should go together in some kind of logical fashion. You might put out fruit, nuts and chocolate and call it a day, rather than serving something odd, from out of left field with your platter.

Focus on Presentation

You can dress up the most humble refreshments by presenting them beautifully. Take everything out of its packaging and display it in a way that elevates its importance.

I pulled out my prettiest cheese tray and some vintage accessories. An antique marmalade jar, some mother-of-pearl spreaders, a tiny silver tray and a cheese knife or two.

Fortunately, I always have fresh flowers in the house. I buy them with my groceries and they make me smile.

I took apart my arrangement and cradled the stems in a white embroidered napkin, then draped them over the side of the cheese tray to cover for the fact that I had way more tray than cheese.

Take a Closer Look at the Pantry

Once I plattered the cheeses, I filled in with grapes and crackers. Then I checked the pantry once again, for items I might’ve missed the first time, as they would’ve seemed like nothing on their own, but could add interest to the charcuterie board arrangement that was beginning to take shape. I found dried apricots, almonds, and assorted olives. That was enough to fill the platter along with the flowers decorating the corner.

This whole thing took me all of ten minutes. I was left wondering why do I ever get stressed with complicated hors d’oeuvres?

(If you have deli meats, all the better, but a lack of them doesn’t preclude creating a charcuterie board, minus the charcuterie… ;-))

My lovely little wine and cheese party was perfect for this impromptu occasion.

If you’re like me, you probably over-plan when entertaining. But I learned from this experience that a little bit of cheese and wine (or really whatever you have on hand) can go a long way when presented artfully to your guests.

It’s kind of like wrapping a simple present in an amazing package… 😉

So, next time a long lost friend calls and they’re in the neighborhood, go ahead and invite them over. I’m sure you can do better than a half eaten carton of pad thai!

Some items that might be in your pantry or fridge to add to your platter:

• Cheese and crackers: Arrange a variety of cheeses (cheddar, brie, gouda, etc.) on a platter along with an assortment of crackers. Add some grapes or apple slices for color and freshness.
• Crudité platter: Slice up some carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Arrange them on a platter with a side of hummus or ranch dressing for dipping.
• Meat and cheese skewers: Thread cubes of cheese, salami, and olives onto toothpicks or small skewers for an easy appetizer option.
• Fruit kabobs: Skewer chunks of your favorite fruits like strawberries, pineapple, and grapes for a colorful and refreshing snack.
• Caprese salad skewers: Alternate cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves on toothpicks, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
• Antipasto platter: Raid your pantry and fridge for items like marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, and cured meats. Arrange them on a platter for a Mediterranean-inspired spread.
• Bruschetta: Top slices of toasted baguette with a mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil for a simple yet delicious appetizer.
• Stuffed mini peppers: Cut mini bell peppers in half and fill them with cream cheese, goat cheese, or a mixture of cheese and herbs for a tasty finger food.
• Nuts and dried fruits: Fill small bowls with mixed nuts, dried cranberries, apricots, or figs for a quick and easy snack option.
• Chocolate-dipped pretzels: Melt some chocolate chips and dip pretzel rods into the chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed nuts or sprinkles before the chocolate sets for a sweet and salty treat.

If you have more unique decor than food, use those pieces to your best advantage by co-opting them as non-traditional serving platters. Here are some ideas to add personality and creativity to your entertaining spread:

• Wooden cutting boards: Use large wooden cutting boards as rustic and charming serving platters for cheese, charcuterie, or appetizers.
• Vintage trays: Forage thrift stores or flea markets for vintage trays with interesting designs or patterns. These can add character to your serving presentation.
• Slate tiles: Clean slate tiles make excellent serving platters for cheese and hors d’oeuvres. You can even write the names of the cheeses directly on the slate with chalk for a stylish touch.
• Hollowed-out fruits or vegetables: Get creative by hollowing out large fruits or vegetables like watermelons, pumpkins, or bell peppers to use as unique serving vessels for salads, dips, or fruit skewers.
• Mirrors: Place food directly on clean, food-safe mirrors for a sleek and modern presentation that also adds visual interest to your table.
• Baskets or woven trays: Utilize baskets or woven trays to serve bread, rolls, or fruit. Line them with decorative napkins or parchment paper for a polished look.
• Cake stands: Repurpose cake stands of varying heights to create an eye-catching display for cupcakes, pastries, or mini desserts.
• Terra cotta pots: Clean terra cotta pots can be used as unconventional serving vessels for items like chips, pretzels, or breadsticks. Just make sure they’re food-safe or line them with parchment paper.
• Ceramic planters: Small ceramic planters or pots can be repurposed as serving bowls for condiments, sauces, or dips.
• Chalkboard surfaces: Serve food on large chalkboard surfaces or chalkboard-painted boards. You can write descriptions or labels directly on the surface for a fun and interactive serving experience.

Have a few minutes to beef up your space before your guests arrive? Try these last-minute decorating ideas using items you already have in your house:

• Candles: Scatter candles of various heights and sizes around the entertaining space for instant ambiance. You can place them in votive holders, mason jars, or even empty wine bottles.
• Tablecloths and linens: Scour your linen closet for tablecloths, runners, or even large scarves that can be used to dress up tables or sideboards.
• Fresh flowers: Gather flowers or greenery from your garden or yard and arrange them in vases or jars for simple yet elegant centerpieces.
• Books or magazines: Stack books or magazines on tables or countertops to add height and interest to your decor.
• Cushions and throws: Scatter cushions and throws on chairs or sofas to add warmth and coziness to your space.
• Twinkle lights or fairy lights: Hang twinkle lights or drape fairy lights around doorways, windows, or across the ceiling for a magical atmosphere.

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform your home into a welcoming and festive environment for entertaining guests, even at a moment’s notice!