After midterms, hitting your favorite restaurant with your buds probably sounded fun until you realized you’d rather be at home watching Netflix to relax. Sometimes, we’re so worn out by the essays and scantrons that just the thought of getting dressed up and going to dinner is exhausting. With a few no-fuss, no-stress ideas, you and your friends can enjoy a relaxing and delicious dinner at home. Who needs a night on the town when you can have a night in? Forget about your academic woes one olive at a time with these classy dine-in ideas.
Bread
Photo by Karina Rao
It doesn’t matter what kind of freshly baked bread you get so long as you choose one that everyone can tear into. If you’re going to take your stress out on something, might as well be by tearing into a crusty loaf of bread, right? Personal favorite: rosemary ciabatta.
Finger Foods
Photo by Karina Rao
Having finger foods like olives, tomatoes and baby mozzarella balls to eat with toothpicks is fun, easy and reminiscent of that fancy cocktail party you decided to skip. The best part? Cleaning up this mess is a breeze. Personal favorite: garlic-stuffed green olives.
Cheese
Photo by Karina Rao
For a low-key night, forget the presentation and leave your cheese in the wrapper. If you want to class-up your meal with friends in an inexpensive way, cut up the different cheeses, put them on parchment paper, and write the name beside each. Personal favorite: balsamic BellaVitano Parmesan cheese.
Pasta
Photo by Karina Rao
Pasta is a crowd pleaser and a really simple dish to put together. You cannot go wrong with a delicious pesto spaghetti topped with shavings of Parmesan. Use store bought pesto to make life easy.
Dessert
Photo by Karina Rao
For dessert, keep it simple. Fresh fruit is the perfect end to a no fuss, elegant meal. If you want something a bit more decadent, try homemade chocolate fondue complete with all the trimmings (graham crackers, strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, strawberry Twizzlers, or any other indulgences). My personal favorite: dark chocolate with almonds.
Eat these classy dine-in ideas and you’ll feel French in no time. Bon Appetite!