I hope you enjoy this recipe booklet and timing guide that I put together! Of course, you can make every recipe individually, or you can take the plunge and throw a delicious dinner party with this entire menu. In my video tutorial, I teach you how to time everything out to ensure the timing of each recipe is perfect so you can enjoy as much time out of the kitchen as possible. A huge thing I’ve learned while working in restaurants is that make ahead components and prepping ahead of time make for a very smooth experience when serving guests.

Get an entire downloadable PDF booklet with 3 seasonal recipes and timing guide to throw an easy, stress-free October Dinner Party BELOW!

The post October Dinner Party Menu appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

That being said, I used to hate throwing dinner parties. Not because I didn’t like the cooking, but because I was SO OVERWHELMED by timing things out appropriately. When I started hosting people, I spent many dinner parties hovered over the stove and not even enjoying myself. And that’s why I wanted to launch this series. There’s plenty of recipes online, but there are few guides that outline how to put together an entire menu and prepare elements ahead of time so you can have a seamless, stress-free party. Of course, this doesn’t mean your dinner party will be completely free of cooking or being in the kitchen, but it does mean you’ll have a plan outlined and as much preparation done so that you actually know what to expect and how to time things out so you can enjoy yourself.

I hope you’re as excited about this as I am! Each month I will post 3 recipes using seasonal ingredients and compile them in a PDF booklet. You will also get a printable menu for your party if you so wish to have a menu copy for everyone! In addition to that, I will outline what you can make ahead and the best timeline to prepare certain elements ahead of time. I am a very visual learner. I overthink written instructions all the time because I need to see how things are done. So, that’s why with every monthly booklet, you’ll also get a free YouTube episode where I show you how to make all recipes and show you how to time them out! Gosh, I am so pumped about this lol. AND if you don’t feel like making the entire menu and would rather dabble and try one recipe at a time, do not fret! You can still use individual recipes from the booklet and click the appropriate time stamp in the video for the recipe tutorial.

Some logistical notes: when I host dinner parties, it’s usually for anywhere from 4-8 people, so I’ve designed each recipe in this series to serve 6-8 people. You can adjust accordingly if you are serving more people. I always like to have 1-2 extra portions just incase people want leftovers. Each dinner party booklet has an appetizer/side recipe (depends on the menu if its an appetizer or side,) an entrée and a dessert. Another thing I didn’t include in this series is the snack stations that I always have at my dinner parties to kick things off. I usually go with cheese plates and put some notes in my PDF guide so you can make the best one for your party!

YAY!! Ok, now that all being said, I hope you know how much this series and new menu guide project means to me. This does take lots of time and effort on my part and I’m giving all of this for free, so that being said, I’d really really appreciate it if you could subscribe to my YouTube Channel and also share this fun new series with your friends if you find it useful. I hope you find a need for it as much as I have and that it helps you feel less intimidated when hosting parties.

Now here is the booklet that I worked my little tushy off on! It’s most helpful when paired with the video tutorial. I am SO CONFIDENT in you with all these resources that you’ll slaaaaaayyy the day with your dinner party! HAPPY COOKING

The post The September Dinner Party Menu appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

In recent years, chefs and home cooks alike have been putting their own spin on the classic ratatouille recipe. My twist is this Ratatouille-Inspired Orzo Salad. This recipe combines roasted vegetables with orzo pasta, basil and red pepper hummus instead of a red pepper sauce, creating a light and fresh dish that is perfect for a summer meal or meal prep.

To make this salad, start by roasting a mix of diced eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Once both the vegetables and orzo are cooked, combine them in a large bowl with minced shallots, sliced basil, and a red pepper hummus dressing made with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika.

This Ratatouille-Inspired Orzo Salad is great for meal prep because it can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also customize the recipe to your liking by swapping out the vegetables for any seasonal favorites, such as butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes. If you need to make the dish gluten-free, simply substitute the orzo with a gluten-free pasta or rice. I also love how this is a vegan recipe!! Of course, you can add the dairy (goat cheese or feta would be delicious here.)

The post Ratatouille Orzo Salad appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

Not a fan of turkey? You can cube chicken and toss it in the balsamic to make a glaze. Also, a vegan option here would b seitan!

The post Balsamic Turkey Meatballs with Kale & Radicchio Salad appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

If salmon isn’t your jam, you can of course make this with any other protein of your choice. My fave suggestions? Cubed chicken breast, tofu or shrimp.

The post Sweet and Sour Salmon Bowl appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

Make ahead! You can 100% make these ahead of time for an easy assembly later on. Let the chicken and rice cool before storing in the fridge.

The post Chicken Satay Inspired Rice Bowl appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

The post The Bouchard Family Beef Wellington Recipe appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

I initially tested this with brown butter int he filling, but I’ve learned that brown butter is 10000x more potent when it’s drizzled as a finishing touch instead of incorporated into a filing. And yes, you can absolutely make this traditional lasagna style. I just think roll ups are so cute and fun!! You must use a baking dish that is tall enough to support the noodles. If you don’t, they will fall over and flop. If you don’t have one, I recommend just making this a traditional lasagna ENJOY.

The post Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna Roll Ups with Balsamic Brown Butter appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

Make a big batch of caramelized onions using this technique!

You know I love a video cooking tutorial, so here’s my video on how to make this recipe as well

The post French Onion Soup Baked Ziti appeared first on Dining with Skyler.

And because you know I love a video tutorial, see my tiktok below!

The post The *Best* Mushroom Risotto appeared first on Dining with Skyler.