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The word entertaining sounds so formal, the title “host” or “hostess” so proper, and yet when friends drop by unexpectedly and you end up cooking dinner for them that is what you are doing, entertaining. And what you are, like it or not, is playing the part of host. Some people thrive in the formality of entertaining. Putting on a dinner party throws them into a several week tailspin of planning and preparation. It is those sorts of people that send the other half, the non-planners, to cower in a corner of stress at the thought of putting together appetizers let alone a full meal for more than their normal group of people.
In an ideal world, we’d all find a way to be a perfect balance of the planner entertainer and the last minute entertainer. If we could do that, then for big events like holidays and birthday parties, we could do enough in advance that we wouldn’t be pulling our hair out come the Big Day. But for all those other times, the ones where friends unexpectedly drop by or you have house guests that require dinner but not a big affair, it would be nice to be relaxed enough about the whole entertaining thing that you could whip up something special that will wow your guests without raising your blood pressure in the process.
The following are some basic tips to get you on your way toward being an everyday entertainer:
1. Memorize some familiar recipes that you know are crowd pleasers. The fear of the unknown is one of the biggest sources of stress. By knowing a few recipes by heart that will feed and please a crowd, you will be more comfortable with the whole process and the outcome will likely be that much better.
2. Keep a stock of certain frozen and canned items. Frozen fish and shrimp can defrost in minutes under cold running water, making them a perfect option when throwing together an unexpected dinner party. Canned white beans can be the basis for pasta, or pinto beans for burritos. All of these are protein packed main courses that can be kept on hand in case of emergencies.
3. A good sauce will never fail to impress. If I cook up a homemade barbecue sauce, I will often make extra and freeze it. That way when doing a little last minute entertaining, I have something homemade on hand that doesn’t require anything more than a microwave to prepare. Other refrigerator items like yogurt and mayonnaise can be mixed with minced chipotles for a quick sandwich or taco topper, or with chopped pickles and capers for a homemade tartar sauce. Excess produce, ranging from mangoes to tomatoes, can be the basis for a superb homemade salsa just by adding acid from lemons or limes, salt, spice, and maybe a little sugar or honey for balance.
4. If cooking is taking a little longer than expected, always have snacks on hand to keep your guests occupied. If dinner guests have drinks in hand and some food to nibble at, they will likely fail to even notice how long dinner is taking to put together. Pre-made hummus, baba ghanoush, and salsa are easy to keep on hand and all pair well with everything from pita to tortilla chips. Pretzels, nuts, and Asian snack mixes like wasabi peas are all good pairings with cocktails, which will keep guests more than occupied while you finish up in the kitchen.
5. Look relaxed. Even if you don’t feel relaxed, at least try and look the part. Guests will always have more fun when the host is having a good time too.
Being a good hostess is not something that should be left to those who follow a magazine outline for throwing a party. Sure there will be times when place cards tucked into a cork with a slit will be appropriate or when personalized thank you gifts in Chinese takeout boxes will be nice. But for the day-to-day entertainer, these are not the things to get caught up in. Focus on what you are good at, with maybe a few tricks thrown in like a good homemade sauce. Keep your guests drinking and laughing and you’ll be laughing right along with them all the way to the table.
©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/amy-powell/876-entertaining/
Tips For The Everyday Entertainer
The word entertaining sounds so formal, the title “host” or “hostess” so proper, and yet when friends drop by unexpectedly and you end up cooking dinner for them that is what you are doing, entertaining. And what you are, like it or not, is playing the part of host. Some people thrive in the formality of entertaining. Putting on a dinner party throws them into a several week tailspin of planning and preparation. It is those sorts of people that send the other half, the non-planners, to cower in a corner of stress at the thought of putting together appetizers let alone a full meal for more than their normal group of people.
In an ideal world, we’d all find a way to be a perfect balance of the planner entertainer and the last minute entertainer. If we could do that, then for big events like holidays and birthday parties, we could do enough in advance that we wouldn’t be pulling our hair out come the Big Day. But for all those other times, the ones where friends unexpectedly drop by or you have house guests that require dinner but not a big affair, it would be nice to be relaxed enough about the whole entertaining thing that you could whip up something special that will wow your guests without raising your blood pressure in the process.
The following are some basic tips to get you on your way toward being an everyday entertainer:
1. Memorize some familiar recipes that you know are crowd pleasers. The fear of the unknown is one of the biggest sources of stress. By knowing a few recipes by heart that will feed and please a crowd, you will be more comfortable with the whole process and the outcome will likely be that much better.
2. Keep a stock of certain frozen and canned items. Frozen fish and shrimp can defrost in minutes under cold running water, making them a perfect option when throwing together an unexpected dinner party. Canned white beans can be the basis for pasta, or pinto beans for burritos. All of these are protein packed main courses that can be kept on hand in case of emergencies.
3. A good sauce will never fail to impress. If I cook up a homemade barbecue sauce, I will often make extra and freeze it. That way when doing a little last minute entertaining, I have something homemade on hand that doesn’t require anything more than a microwave to prepare. Other refrigerator items like yogurt and mayonnaise can be mixed with minced chipotles for a quick sandwich or taco topper, or with chopped pickles and capers for a homemade tartar sauce. Excess produce, ranging from mangoes to tomatoes, can be the basis for a superb homemade salsa just by adding acid from lemons or limes, salt, spice, and maybe a little sugar or honey for balance.
4. If cooking is taking a little longer than expected, always have snacks on hand to keep your guests occupied. If dinner guests have drinks in hand and some food to nibble at, they will likely fail to even notice how long dinner is taking to put together. Pre-made hummus, baba ghanoush, and salsa are easy to keep on hand and all pair well with everything from pita to tortilla chips. Pretzels, nuts, and Asian snack mixes like wasabi peas are all good pairings with cocktails, which will keep guests more than occupied while you finish up in the kitchen.
5. Look relaxed. Even if you don’t feel relaxed, at least try and look the part. Guests will always have more fun when the host is having a good time too.
Being a good hostess is not something that should be left to those who follow a magazine outline for throwing a party. Sure there will be times when place cards tucked into a cork with a slit will be appropriate or when personalized thank you gifts in Chinese takeout boxes will be nice. But for the day-to-day entertainer, these are not the things to get caught up in. Focus on what you are good at, with maybe a few tricks thrown in like a good homemade sauce. Keep your guests drinking and laughing and you’ll be laughing right along with them all the way to the table.
Mahi Mahi Soft Tacos with Chipotle Yogurt Sauce
Made with Greek yogurt, paprika, garlic powder, cumin seeds, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, mahi mahi, vegetable oil, flour tortillas
Made with Greek yogurt, paprika, garlic powder, cumin seeds, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, mahi mahi, vegetable oil, flour tortillas
Serves/Makes: 6
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds mahi mahi
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 6 flour tortillas, soft taco sized
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 canned chipotle chili en adobo
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle chilies)
- 1/4 green cabbage
Mixes spices including salt in a small bowl and set aside.
Cut mahi mahi into strips about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Season mahi mahi on all sides with the seasoning mixture.
Preheat large saute pan over medium high heat with half of the oil. Add half of the mahi mahi spacing the pieces out so they do not touch. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through. Set aside and repeat with remaining oil and fish pieces.
While fish is cooking, heat tortillas in the microwave until warm, less than one minute. In a small bowl mix Greek yogurt with finely chopped chipotle chili and adobo sauce. Season sauce to taste with salt and extra chipotle if necessary. Finely shred cabbage.
To serve, place 1-2 pieces of fish in each tortilla then top with shredded cabbage and chipotle sauce.
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©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/amy-powell/876-entertaining/