Every year this time, I get the urge to have a "celebrate spring" patio party. I like to invite lots of people. But I'm also frugal and a make-it-easy-on-yourself hostess. So this year, I set a budget of $100, and resolved to make most things ahead. I started with ingredients I already had on hand and worked from there.
The liquor cabinet yielded the biggest bonanza--several bottles of rum left from other events, some Irish whiskey, triple sec, club soda. Perfect. I'd whip up a potent punch. There was also a large bottle of white wine. I found 2 pounds of buffalo breakfast sausage and a large bag of pecans in the freezer, and white beans in the pantry.
I knew I wanted to do oven fries with a mayonnaise dipping sauce from an upcoming Southern Living story on fast party starters. (You'll have to wait until September for the actual recipe and our cute serving suggestion. But if you can't wait, search myrecipes.com for oven fries and sauces.) Also on my menu, asparagus, because it's the season and I like veggies in the mix. Chicken salad from a local to-go place. You get the picture. Here's the actual menu and approximate cost. This fed 30 people with some leftovers.
Hurricane Punch from on-hand liquors and green tea. $3 (for frozen lemon juice) other ingedients on hand.
White wine. Free, on hand.
Red wine. $12
Buffalo sausage balls with honey mustard. Free, on hand.
Oven fries (from bagged frozen, with on-hand seasonings) $5.80
Mayo dipping sauce - $.99 for parsley, other ingredients on hand.
White bean dip Free, on hand
Carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and pita chips for dipping $9.40
Crostini with goat cheese and bruschetta topping $12
Asparagus with Creamy Dill Sauce $9.50
Chicken Salad $20 served with tiny fillo cups $7 and Crackers $6
Sweet-and-spicy pecans Free, on hand.
Ice $6
Plates, napkins, cups Free, leftover from other parties.
Tax $9
TOTAL $100.69
