It's a Party in my Pantry and Everyone's Invited!!

Greetings, everyone!  Fellow fun lover David, here.  Welcome to our first post at Living Events!  I look forward to exchanging ideas with you every day on all kinds of topics.  What we're all about is making the most of our time with friends and family.  And one of the best ways to do that is to BE PREPARED.

Most people think about parties and get-togethers as something you put a lot of time and money into.  There's certainly a time and place for elaborate parties, but what about nights when you just want to invite a few friends over for a board game, maybe a movie?  Sure, you could order a pizza.  But if you're prepared, you won't have to! 

One of my favorite "ready anytime" party tips is to keep a party pantry.  A party pantry can be as simple as a couple of shelves in a cabinet and a corner of your freezer.  The point is to have the makings for some quick and easy party recipes on hand.  The SECOND point is to protect these assets.  Any of you with a family, roommates or a significant other know how easily "the good stuff" in the kitchen can disappear!  Hey, I even have to guard the party pantry against myself.  I won't deny that I have plenty of late-night munchies attacks. Do you need a lock on the pantry?  Maybe.  Why don't you start with a little sign and warning to everyone to keep their hands off.  More often than not, this will work.  Just don't be afraid to roll out the big guns when necessary!

So, what should your party pantry contain?  Well, the simple answer is 'the stuff you like to eat!"  But you're probably looking for a bit more thought than that.  So here's a list of a few items to get you started on your party pantry.

• In the Cabinet
• Nuts, Nuts, Nuts!  A variety of nuts is a must for your pantry (provided no one in your household is allergic!).  Mixed nuts, cashews, almonds and of course, peanuts are great choices.  Aside from the dry-roasted and honey-roasted varieties, you can find nuts in smoked, jalapeno, cheddar, wasabi, even dill-pickle flavored! 
• How about wasabi peas?  A great, spicy snack in a can.  Pour some of these babies in a bowl, set them out at your game night and you'll have tongues wagging.  Probably for something to drink!  These can be found in the Asian foods aisle of most large grocery stores or online from specialty food providers.
• Add a bag of mixed rice crackers to the pantry.  When you mix these with the wasabi peas, you have a quick and easy snack mix that's low-fat and delicious!  Look for these near the wasabi peas.
• Obviously, a variety of chips, tortilla chips, pretzels and crackers is a must.  Pick your favorites, but make sure that you have a good cracker like a water-cracker, pretzels and tortilla chips on hand at all times. 
• A good red salsa and a good green salsa for when you don't have time to whip up your own.  Try some of the fruit salsas, as well.  They can top off a cube of cream cheese or be blended in for a great spread.
• Cans of beans.  Choose from pinto, black, navy or blackeyed peas.  These can be made into delicious dips in just a few seconds!  Just blend in the food processor with the seasoning or flavored oil of your choice.  Try chipotle pepper or chipotle powder into pinto or black beans.  Or add some garlic-infused olive oil to blended navy beans!  Serve them cold, room-temp or warmed!
• Jars of pickles are great to have on hand.  Don't stick to JUST the gherkins and dills.  Try out dilled green beans, pickled okra, and don't forget a variety of olives. 
• Make sure you have some sweet treats on hand.  Brownie mix is a quick solution when company's on it's way.  Try adding some chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, or coconut.  How about swirling in spoonfuls of peanut butter?  Yum!  Aside from the brownies, I love to keep ginger thins around.  These are great to dip into cream cheese mixed with some honey and cinnamon. 
• In the Freezer
• Keep cream cheese and grated cheese on hand for dressing up into some of the dip ideas listed above. 
• Frozen, cooked shrimp (thawed and chopped) can be blended with cream cheese, worchestershire sauce, and garlic makes a quick dip that everyone will love.
• Vanilla Ice Cream is great for topping off some of those delicious brownies.   (It's pretty awesome blended with brown sugar, amaretto, and coffee liquor for a favorite drink, too!)
• Some frozen, pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts are great to microwave and add to some quick nachos for a hearty snack.

These are just a few ideas to get you started.  Thanks for checking us out!  Keep coming back for more easy party ideas.  And send off some invites!  Remember, the food can be good, the music can be great, but it's the people that make the party!

David