Hosting a dinner party can be your chance to shine and make your friends and family feel the love. And believe it or not it’s success can actually come down to what’s in your pantry. There’s a lot that goes into planning a dinner party – what to make, how to decorate, who to invite, who not to invite, whether or not you’ll have a game or activity. If it’s a celebration, there may be a toast or a special dessert. The list goes on. But one of the most overlooked details actually comes down to the menu itself and the finishing touches.
Finishing Touches: Why Do I Need Them?
I like to think of it like this. I shower and get dressed and put on a nice outfit that I feel good about and maybe a new set of earrings and even some makeup, but I don’t blow dry or brush my hair. (Ahem: this is possibly based on a real learning moment in my life). Can you imagine what I’d look like? I was almost there. Almost that well put together, best version of myself I could present to the world. So close, but I’m missing the final little touches that would make all the rest of the effort make sense.
It’s the same with cooking. You put so much effort into planning the menu, the shopping, the prep, the actual cooking and figuring out how to serve the dish – don’t forget the final details that tie together the presentation!
And the best part is, unlike having to learn to style my own hair, these finishing touches are easy pantry items that you can keep on hand and use over and over in many different dishes. It was honestly hard to narrow it down to just 5. But I thought long and hard about this and these are the ones I use most often.
Top Pantry Item #1: Maldon Flakey Sea Salt
Salt is salt, right? Except when it’s flakey sea salt that kind of melts in your mouth. According to their own website it’s the clean taste you get from the timed precise release of saltiness onto the palate. And maybe that’s true. All I know is that the salt crystals are large and delicate, and they give a little pop of saltiness that really lets the other ingredients on the palate shine. In other words, you don’t taste the salt. Instead, you taste what you are meant to taste but with more intense flavor. I use this pantry item most often as a finishing salt. Not only does it give a little bit of crunch/texture to a dish but it’s visually interesting as well.
Interestingly enough, I don’t only use it for savory dishes. It’s equally good with sweet dishes to enhance their flavor. Fruit salad is amped up with a little bit on to and mixed with a honey-lemon vinaigrette. Chocolate truffles are even better with a little sprinkle on top. Of course, savory dishes like caprese salad get a bump of flavor from this flakey sea salt pantry staple as well.
Top Pantry Item #2: Calabrian Chili Paste
Bobby Flay may have made this pantry ingredient famous but once I tasted it, I got why it’s one of his secret ingredients and quickly incorporated it into my lineup as well. First of all, yes, it’s spicy. Like really spicy. But it’s also fruity and bright and has this gorgeous color to it that livens up so many dishes from eggs to pasta to baked chicken. A little goes a long way. You do need to refrigerate once it’s open but technically I’m calling it a pantry item. What I like most about its that Calabrian Chili Paste actually has a lot of flavor going on, it’s not just spice. Not to sound too food snobby-like but it ‘awakens the palate’. I use it in place of sriracha or anywhere I want a kick.
Here’s a few of my favorite ways to incorporate this pantry item but I’m sure you’ll think of lots more. And one jar lasts for such a long time it’s a great pantry staple investment and an ingredient you are sure to get asked about. The Lobster Lettuce Cups and Ahi Tuna Stacks are my recipes and this fantastic Calabrian Chili Bolognese is by Craving California.
Top Pantry Item #3: Balsamic Glaze
I think this pantry item needs to introduction. It’s the drizzle that gives that visual wow factor to so many dishes and a little sweetness. Often times a pinch of Maldon Sea Salt and balsamic glaze are the perfect complement and finishing touch. Honestly, I used to make my own balsamic reduction all the time and finally I realized there are some really good ones on the market and it’s sooo much easier just to keep this glaze on hand in the pantry than make my own every time. And no one can tell the difference. I finally just gave in. When you buy a glaze look for a good quality one that has very simple ingredients. Vinegar and a pinch of sugar is all it takes.
Top Pantry Item #4: Chili Oil
This pantry staple, like the balsamic glaze, is such a time saver for me as a finishing drizzle to bring more heat and flavor to a dish. I often would make my own chili oil. It does store for weeks in the fridge so sometimes I still do. But especially when I’m doing a dinner in someone else’s home or just under a tight time crunch a bottle of good quality chili-garlic or just chili oil is so convenient to have on hand. Store bought chili oils are typically pretty mild or at most a medium heat. But seeing that final drizzle of oil on the dish is a great wow factor to make your dinner party dishes look restaurant quality.
Top Pantry Item #5: Panko Breadcrumbs
Panko breadcrumbs or Japanese style breadcrumbs. They differ from regular breadcrumbs in that they are larger and therefore crunchier and bring way more texture to a dish instead of just being a coating. I admit, this pantry staple almost didn’t make the list. They are so innocuous that I just about overlooked them without realizing how often I really do use them. While not as exciting as some of the other pantry staples above because they don’t bring heat or flavor of any kind really, but without a doubt they can make all the difference in a dish being just okay or a dish being really great. While they don’t bring flavor on their own, they are typically mixed with fresh herbs or garlic or cheese to add flavor and texture as a topping on a variety of dishes. So, Panko Breadcrumbs….I formally apologize. You are a winner, too.
