Booze Free Dinner Party
Home » Ad »We’re nearly at the end of the month, and the end of #dryjanuary. If you took part in the challenge, how have you managed? There have been a couple of times I could have gone for a glass of wine, but the temptation was soon squashed.
If you’ve been following along with the BRITA Boost Challenge that I was tasked with, you’ll know that there are five main reasons why people drink:
Taste…so I went to a Mixology Mocktail Masterclass to learn how to make cocktails without alcohol.
Relaxing…so I went and had a Hydradermie 2 Luxury Facial to chill out for an hour in my busy day.
Buzz…so I was due to go to a morning rave – Morning Glory London – but I fell ill and my sister went in my place!
Confidence Booster…I’m off to London this evening to attend a How to Be Confident workshop.
Social…so, last weekend I was sent the ingredients to cook a restaurant quality dinner party at home, sans booze! This is how it went…
If you ever watch the programme, Come Dine With Me, one of the things you may notice, above the food, is the amount of alcohol that is drunk at these dinner parties! It’s like they go hand in hand…and of course, there is something to be said about wine pairing with certain foods and dishes, but it is possible to enjoy a delicious dinner party without alcohol!
Having learned how to mix up some non-alcoholic cocktails a few weeks ago, I knew exactly what to serve up as drinks at my dinner party, and mixed up a jug of Pink Champagne to enjoy.
Now on to the food, which was provided by Foodelity, where you can order restaurant quality food to cook at home. At my booze free dinner party it would be my husband and myself, plus my sister and brother-in-law. I put an email round asking them to check the website out and to pick a starter, main and dessert each so that they could be ordered.
The food all turned up on Friday, and I was excited to unpack the box and put it all away, ready for the big dinner party on Saturday night! I read through the recipe cards that came with it, and since I’d be preparing several different dishes, needed to make sure what was expected of me!
The chef in me relished the ‘challenge’ and early on Saturday morning I got to work prepping as much in advance as possible. The evening was to be about socialising, and I didn’t want to be too much of a slave to the kitchen! I did invariably have to step away from my guests (oh how I long for a huge open plan kitchen/dining area!) but the food was worth it, the quality of the ingredients was very high indeed, and all the dishes were delicious.
For starters, there was just two kinds of dishes to prepare. My sister and I had Pan Seared King Scallops with Pea Puree and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction and our husbands had Crispy Chilli Beef with Broccoli and Spring Onions. Us girls loved our scallops – a super treat! And of course, we both sampled our husband’s starters – the beef was just exquisite. Our husbands enjoyed their starters too :P
I had three different main dishes to contend with…I had Braised Lamb Shank with Crushed Minted Potatoes and Creamed Spinach, which was going to take 2½ hours to cook! The slow cooking time made it fall from the bone – it was delicious!
My sister and brother-in-law had Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Roasted New Potatoes and Honey Glazed Carrots which looked amazing. They both said how lovely the lamb was, and it being a real treat as they don’t often eat lamb.
My husband opted for Roast Poussin with Sumac, Crushed Minted Potatoes and Red Cabbage. This dish looked so pretty when I was preparing it, and hubby yummed it up!
The whole dinner party took place over the course of about 3 hours, and we enjoyed the food without alcohol, no problems at all. We were too busy either cooking (me) or chatting! Having made the desserts early in the day, I plated them up and finished off our meals with these sweet offerings: Lemon Syllabub with Crushed Amaretti, which my husband had. It was light and lemony and he said a perfect end to his meal.
For my sister and her husband, I made Lemon Tart with Raspberries…I have a low tolerance for making pastry (I’m no good at it, that’s why!) but they looked fab, and tasted it too!
And finally, I had Chocolate, Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Tart with Vanilla Cream. A lot lighter than I was expecting, and I loved the caramel surprise at the bottom.
The food and company made my booze free dinner party a very enjoyable evening, and I look forward to hosting another dinner party soon!
Do you think you could host a dinner party without alcohol? Is alcohol vital to a dinner party’s success, or can it be just about the food?
Emily
February 4, 2014 @ 4:49 am
It all looks beautiful. Well done of your Dry January success!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
It tasted great too! x
Alison Perry
January 31, 2014 @ 9:08 pm
Wow! Looks fantastic. Well done on making it to the end of the month!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
Thanks – it really was yummy! x
Helen Peakle Pie
January 31, 2014 @ 2:19 pm
Hmmm yummy food! Yay to #dryjanuary too!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
Very yummy indeed! x
Kara
January 31, 2014 @ 2:10 pm
My goodness, how many were you feeding – that syllabub looks delicious
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
There were four of us :D
NewMumOnline
January 31, 2014 @ 11:44 am
All of the food looks spectacular. And as usual your photos are formidable – wow just wow
Liska xx
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
Thanks Liska xx
fritha strickland
January 31, 2014 @ 12:38 pm
I know I few people who did dry january, I don’t think I would manage it! your food looks wonderful x
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
A couple of times saw me wanting to reach for a drink, but made it through! x
Becky Goddard-Hill
January 31, 2014 @ 7:59 am
I haven’t drunk for 10 years after having kids . Your pudding look FAB!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
I don’t drink as much as I used too, but overindulgence at Christmas meant I had to curb things in January! x
Vicky Wombwell Kuhn
January 31, 2014 @ 12:15 am
Wow – what amazing food! I certainly don’t think you need alcohol to make that feast any better. I don’t drink alcohol myself, but I have no problem with those who wish to, and always have something in for people who’d prefer a glass of wine or whatever with their meal. For me, I won’t drink anything but water with a meal as I want to taste the flavors of the meal that has been cooked – especially if it’s as good as this looks :-)
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:05 pm
I don’t think alcohol is really needed either when the food is so fab, especially as I’m not really a wine buff which is what people tend to drink when dining like this. x
Manneskjur
January 30, 2014 @ 11:55 pm
Ooo lovely – with food that good you wouldn’t notice a lack of alcohol!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:06 pm
Totally agree! We didn’t notice! x
Sarah Bailey
January 30, 2014 @ 11:35 pm
What a fantastic challenge that food all looks amazing – I have to admit I don’t drink at all so all my dinner parties are booze free – but perhaps not so yummy looking. x
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:07 pm
For some, food and wine go hand in hand, but I think it’s easy enough to let it go just for one meal! x
Charly Dove
January 31, 2014 @ 12:09 am
That food looks utterly divine – almost licked the screen then, amazing!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:06 pm
hahah! Brilliant! x
Mellissa Williams
January 30, 2014 @ 11:50 pm
I have to say the food all looks amazing. I would find it hard to do a booze free dinner party I think even though I don’t drink that much
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:06 pm
I think if we can focus on the food instead of the booze it’s easier than you realise x
Happy Homebird
January 30, 2014 @ 11:21 pm
Love those foodie boxes, I won one once and it was a lovely treat. Mocktails are great. I’ve only drank alcohol once in the past 5 years and that will be enough for another 5 I think. Everybody always assumes I was an alcoholic when I say I don’t drink, gets on my nerves. Bring on the mocktails though as I hate drinking cola when I go out, I wish places sold them.
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
You’ll know how good the food is then – the ingredients were fantastic quality! That is really annoying that people think that way. I’m not a big drinker, at all, but I can overindulge at Christmas, which is why I did #dryjanuary.
Out in Florida, every restaurant that served cocktails sold non-alcoholic versions, which for me, as the driver was a God send x
Natalie @ One Busy WAHM
January 30, 2014 @ 10:14 pm
Wowsers – that looks amazing. And those scallops – oh I could eat those beauties like sweeties !
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
They were super lush! Such a treat x
Jenny
January 30, 2014 @ 9:24 pm
What a brilliant challenge. I couldn’t (and don’t want to) live without a glass of wine to hand though!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
Nothing wrong with a glass or two of vino, just not during #dryjanuary!! x
pinkoddy
January 30, 2014 @ 9:15 pm
Now the question is where is my invite? Well done and the food looks amazing
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
:D Food was delish! x
Kirsty Hornblow
January 30, 2014 @ 9:12 pm
What an amazing menu! You must have been slaving for hours, the food looks delicious and being provided with just the right amount is a great idea. I often drive so I usually don’t drink when I’m out andI think I have an even better time as I don’t have to worry about the hangover in the morning
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
I was slaving for most of the morning just prepping everything, but I like to think I am an accomplished cook so enjoyed the challenge of it. When we’re out, I tend to be the driver too, so don’t drink and drive at all, at home it’s a different story though…not in this case though – didn’t miss it at all x
Agata Pokutycka
January 30, 2014 @ 8:23 pm
Wow, these scallops look awesome!
This picture really gave me a strong craving now…
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
They were amazing – love scallops – although, they’re so expensive they’re a real treat x
Cass@TheDiaryofaFrugalFamily
January 30, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
I am literally drooling right now!
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
lol! It’s easy to do that with photos of food!! x
Jen Walshaw
January 30, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
I love non alcoholic cocktails
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
They’re great for those that don’t drink alcohol – and for those that do! x
Keri-Anne
January 30, 2014 @ 7:13 pm
Oh. i am feeling super hungry now! That rack of lamb looks wonderful and the crispy beef x
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
All the food was so good – the crispy beef was so tender – seriously beats the local supermarket’s meat that’s for sure! x
Orli, Just Breathe
January 30, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
I have to say those deserts you made really made my mouth water. I am doing dry January, but more because I am also doing a diety January and it is part of it. Glad you had a nice dinner party :)
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:12 pm
For me it was due to overindulgence of things at Christmas, booze being one of them. I’m not a big drinker generally though. Was a lovely dinner party x
Steven Ordever
January 30, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
Of course, I couldn’t agree more. It was a great success thanks of course to you.
Michelle Ordever
February 5, 2014 @ 7:12 pm
Thank you darling xx
Steven Ordever
January 30, 2014 @ 5:13 pm
It just goes to show that you don’t need alcohol to have an amazing dinner party. Just great food and great company. I absolutely loved the food and it was of such a high quality that I can’t wait to try it again :-)
Michelle Ordever
January 30, 2014 @ 5:14 pm
It was a lovely dinner party wasn’t it? Helps that there was a good cook preparing right?!?! xx