Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Keep These on Hand for Easy Entertaining...

I'm getting ready for drop-in guests over the holidays by stocking my cupboards and fridge now. Here are a few of my favorite things to have on hand for effortless entertaining...
Clemetines, Satsumas, or any kind of Orange. They're at their juicy best in December. Fudge covered Ritz crackers will give you that sweet-salty crunch that we all crave.

Tillamook cheese. I love the stuff. I keep a couple of babyloaves on hand to slice up for a cheese platter. I love the Vintage White Cheddar, Pepperjack and Sharp Cheddar.
I just discovered these new crackers and I'm hooked. Along with the nutty pecan flavor, you get a subtle maple sweetness. Nut Crisps and Tillamook Cheddar are my new favorite lunch buddies.

Here's a tiny picture of Nestle Chocolate Mint Instant Cocoa Mix. I'm not normally a fan of instant cocoa mix, but this version is rich and flavorful. With some whipped cream and marshmallows, we're talking instant party.

I'll also keep olives, cashews, garlic bread, Christmas M and Ms, and frozen homemade tomato soup around for any suprise visitors. What am I missing? Leave me a comment and let me know what else I need in my holiday stockpile. Be back tomorrow with potato latkes....

26 comments:

Tightwad Mom said...

Great ideas! There nothing worse than running to the store every time their is unexpected company! Time just keeps flying by; I afraid it will be Christmas before I know it.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

What yummy looking things - most of which I've never seen before. I'll keep my eyes peeled now!

The JR said...

Sounds like you have it covered!

Cindy said...

I like to keep a batch or two of homemade Chex Party Mix in the freezer. It thaws quickly and is always a hit!
I also like to make small cheese balls, these keep in the fridge and are delicious.

Prudy said...

Cindy-
What a great idea. Now I want a cheeseball and chex mix right this minute!

MandA said...

During the holidays I always keep a baked brie in brioche (from Costco) on hand. It's easy to cook and is so delicious. It's also very pretty when you slice into it.
-Amy

Prudy said...

Amy, I love baked brie and I've never ever tried Costco. I've got to get some. That would be so easy and elegant too.

Leslie said...

Thanks for sharing all the good snacks and treats you've found. I can't wait to try the hot chocolate and the Ritz crackers.
I usually keep the same kinds of things you have on hand since, "I'm just like you, you're just like me" (song, song...I love that song, tell me you remember the song.)
I also like to have jars and jars of homemade hot fudge in the refrigerator and vanilla ice cream in the freezer, along with buttermilk so we can make everyone's favorite Chocolate Sheet Cake.
Chips and Salsa from Chili's are always great to have on hand too, especially if you can send a husband out to go and get some.
Thanks for the fun post. I loved it.

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Maybe I should come back.
Your snacks sound better than my dinner. :)
Miss you guys!

Seth and Julie said...

Fudge Ritz? Who Knew? I better grab some. I don't have anything on hand except for baking supplies. I always have stuff for cake or cookies, but nothing readymade. Maybe that is why no one ever stops by my house.

As for your counterpart, Miss Leslie...she is "just like you". We popped in on her on a Sunday afternoon to a full spread of goodies. I just talked to Valerie this afternoon about how badly Leslie messed up her post-baby diet, and how badly she wanted another piece of that cake. Yum! I will keep watching the two of you, and maybe one day I will be worthy of houseguests.

Anonymous said...

I always make sure I have fruit, booze, chocolate, and molasses on hand. I somehow always use absurd amounts of these things during the holidays. Last year I made truffles with orange zest and Grand Mariner as a last minute gift.

Michal said...

i remember that we always stocked "guest food" in college! I haven't done that in ages, but we always seem to have plenty of food around.
i do buy the spanikopita at costco this time of year because i love the stuff and kimball is the only other person in my house who will eat it-- so when guests arrive, i can pop some in the oven. that stuff is YUMMY. peppermint joe-joes from trader joes are also a good idea. if i can keep myself from eating them when no guests are here!:)
gotta try those ritz. wow.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh yum! All my favorites! I see lots of people I know in your Thanksgiving pictures! Wish I could have had some of that Thanksgiving dinner! Have fun getting ready for Christmas Prudy!

Hugs,
Maryjane
MJB

Prudy said...

Les, of course I remember the song. And Texas sheet cake-we don't have any parties without it, do we? I missed it on Thanksgiving. As for homemade hot fudge, ooooh-gimme some now. That's a good idea. I don't think I could keep chips and salsa stocked, because well...I would eat them all. But I would have a nice party all by myself. Would you like to come? It's friendlier with two. And of course I remember that song, Barbie!

Prudy said...

Michal-I loved our guest food. Of course we ate most of it sans guests, but I loved it. I remember eyeball gum, small cans of Hawaiian punch and holiday oreos. I don't remember offering any of it to anyone but ourselves. But we did have a Halloween fireside, so maybe we served some of it then????? And I do remember eating a heck of a whole lot of chocolate covered peanuts, courtesy of your Little S's from the candy counter.

Leslie said...

Hi Prudy,
I'm back. I saw that my adorable neighbor left you a comment above me. She's the kindest, nicest, cutest person. You would love her.
Also, I had such a good time with you this whole trip. You were hilarious and made us all laugh so hard with your Michelle&Erin Stories. I think you two could write a book about them. I love that you remember the song, "You're just like me." What made it so hilarious was you breaking into song and singing and dancing to it. Only you could make a Barbie movie and song so hilarious.
It was so nice of you to cook and clean up after all of us. Mary Kate and I were just discussing what a great sister you are to all of us. Thank you, Prudy. We love you.

Catherine said...

Oh I can't wait to try Fudge covered Ritz Crackers. They sound delicious. I love to have White Fudge Covered Oreos on hand, but they never last. We all love them just a little too much. Your post is making me want to whip up some holiday snacks, but I still haven't unpacked. What do do , what to do?

wileyfamilyof5 said...

I make chocolate covered ritz crackers. But I put a little mint extract in.

MK and Co. said...

I loved this post! Chocolate covered ritz sound so good. I loved hearing everyone's ideas for keeping a stocked pantry for unexpected holiday guests. The brie from Costco sounds delicious and so does Leslie's shiny bottles of homemade hotfudge and Catherine's holiday oreos. I wish I could come over and be the unexpected guest! Thanks Prudy!

Jon and Kim said...

Catherine- I can't ever find the white chocolate covered oreos. I actually just bought the mint fudge covered oreos last Monday and was thinking of all the good times raiding your freezer for them in high school! I miss you! We need to get in contact.

@Prudy-Where do you get chocolate covered ritz? I have got to try those!

@Leslie-Are you going to share that homemade fudge recipe! Yum!

And finally, my contribution to "must haves": Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer. You can make it ahead of time, then whip it out and have homemade cookies in no time. And if you are like me...if the guests don't hurry and come soon, it might all be eaten up before they get there!!! Ooooops!

Rebecca Christianson said...

I went and bought the brie at Costco tonight. Do you serve plain or with crackers?

Prudy said...

Rebecca-I like baked brie with crackers and some fruit-grapes or apple slices.

Prudy said...

Kim-I've seen fudge covered Ritz at Target and Albertson's. And welcome by the way. Stop by and raid my freezer anytime, baby.

Katie Fritzsche said...

I found the fudge covered Ritz at Fry's (Kroger) last year after Christmas (it's not my regular store, but they were having a sale so I popped in and there they were, just waiting for me) and holy moly... soooo good. I believe they are a Christmas-time special, so stock up and maybe freeze some cause they are SO worth it!! Thanks for the reminder, I will be headed to Fry's tomorrow to get some!

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