OVER THE YEARS of inviting folks into my home to share food, I’ve developed a few menus that I go to time and time again. Having a meal or two built with the purpose of gathering people helps increase my willingness to be hospitable because it takes out the guesswork! Sam and I could practically make these meals in our sleep! Many of the recipes in these menus can be made ahead so your time in the kitchen is manageable. Crowd-pleasing, delicious, and tried-and-true, these menus are for casual, everyday get-togethers—our favorite kind! I’ve teed it up for you to fill bellies so that you can open your homes and fill hearts. Let it be said that I always overestimate food quantities because it would grieve my soul to run out. So when in doubt, I fix boatloads of food and send home all the leftovers in little take-out containers with handwritten reheating instructions. That way the food keeps on giving long after the gathering has ended.
Who doesn’t love Mexican food?! The enchiladas can be filled, covered, and stored in the fridge until time to bake. The beans, salsa, and sweets can be made ahead of time too! Put out your biggest bowl of tortilla chips!
This is our number one meal -that we fix for large groups or multiple families. The meat, beans, slaw, chow-chow, and cake can be prepared ahead of time. And I serve it with buttered, toasted Texas toast!
This comfort meal is the one I serve when I have more people than I have chairs! Just put out sturdy bowls and have guests load up on chili, grits, and crackers! It’s casual, it’s filling, and it can be prepared in advance!