Growing up, my parents’ home was a hub. Maybe it was because they were artistic and warm, or maybe we just had the best snacks in the neighborhood—whatever the reason, the house was always full of interesting people and what felt like a million kids. These days, my house is a hub in its own right, and while it can be a little hectic at times, I absolutely love the energy and life of having old friends visiting and kids running around. That being said, I never know who’s sleeping over, who’s popping by, or who’s staying for dinner, which can be a little stressful. After a couple of failed attempts at elaborate last-minute dinners for unexpected guests, I developed, and learned to rely on, a handful of recipes perfect for such occasions. This chapter is full of old and new dishes I know I can make quickly and easily (and scale to any party size) while still exciting my dinner guests.