The Hunt: Amazing First Impressions Entertaining a Crowd – Day 1

If you’ve ever tried hosting or entertaining a crowd, you know the first day sets the tone. 

Day 1 of entertaining was all about keeping things simple, delicious, and stress-free. 

Here’s a peek into how we kicked things off with crowd-pleasing meals and minimal cleanup.

If you missed the first Article, check it out! The Hunt: Entertaining for a Crowd with 4 Essential Tips to Impress Your Guests!

The Hunt: Amazing First Impressions Entertaining a Crowd – Day 1

LUNCH:

We started the day with a bang—hamburger tarts (see the recipe below) paired with a colorful veggie tray. It’s a light yet satisfying combo that keeps everyone energized for the day ahead. Plus, who doesn’t love finger food? Bonus: fewer dishes to wash.

Hamburger Tarts and a Veggie Tray

INGREDIENTS: 

1 lb hamburger

1 medium onion, chopped

2 Tbsp ketchup

1 can mushroom soup

½ cup cheese, grated + extra for topping

½ cup + 2-3 Tbsp’s bread crumbs

7 bread slices or more if you make them smaller

Butter for the bread

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients, reserving the bread and butter.

2. Prepare the Bread: Butter each slice of bread on one side, then press the buttered side down into a muffin tin, shaping the bread to form a cup.

3. Assemble and Bake: Spoon the beef mixture into each bread cup. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

NOTE: 

Many people wonder if you need an egg to hold everything together, but it’s not necessary. The mixture stays perfectly in place within the bread slices and remains incredibly moist without it. 

SUPPER:

Entertaining a crowd at dinner was going to be easy the first night. I whipped up one of my all-time favorites: pork chops cooked on the BBQ. Here it is: sprinkle with garlic powder and salt, then let the grill do its thing. And the twist, serve apple sauce on the side ‘like a dip’. Trust me, it’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet.

Sides were intentionally simple for entertaining a crowd tonight—tender green peas and instant white rice. Why overcomplicate when you’ve got a main dish as good as bbq pork chops?

BBQ Pork Chops with Apple Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 bone-in or boneless pork chops (you can make as many as you like)

• 1 tsp garlic powder (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce (for dipping)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat and Season: Preheat your grill or oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then season both sides evenly with garlic powder and salt.

2. Grill or Bake the Pork Chops

• Grill Method: Place the pork chops on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.

• Oven Method: Place the pork chops on a baking sheet that allows the grease to drip and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. 

3. Serve: Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with apple sauce on the side for dipping.

Enjoy the perfect balance of savory pork and sweet apple sauce!

NOTE: 

For the best results when baking in the oven, I highly recommend baking the pork chops on a sheet pan with a drip tray to allow the grease to drain through. This is what I use…

DESSERT:

To wrap up the day, we indulged in classic pumpkin pie topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream. It’s cozy, comforting, and exactly what you need to cap off a great meal.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never disappoints! It’s both delicious and incredibly easy to prepare. 

Here’s the link for the PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE HERE. 

Quick Clean-Up

Let’s be real, when entertaining a crowd, it doesn’t have to mean scrubbing floors and washing endless dishes. I had just finished a full ‘spring clean’ of our home the day before the guys showed up-very last minute thanks to Covid putting me behind. So, a quick vacuum and a bit of tidying up were all it took to keep things in check. No stress, just good food and great company.

Stay tuned for more tips and recipes as we continue The Hunt: Entertaining a Crowd. Whether you’re planning a big gathering or just want inspiration for your next meal, we’ve got you covered.

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All photo’s by The Unscripted Femme.