Who doesn’t love a good get-together with friends or family? How do you make an instant party when you don’t have time to run to the store and you haven’t done a deep clean in awhile?
Kathi and her clutter free expert, Tonya Kubo, join in on this fun episode full of tips that make your next party stress free. They share their favorite party recipes, cleaning ideas and ways to let your guests help out so they feel like they are part of the fun. No one wants a stressed out hostess and with these tips you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your guests instead of worrying about tiny details (you know, the ones that probably don’t really matter!).
Recipes mentioned in the show:
Kathi’s Macaroni Salad recipe for Instant Pot
Tammy’s Maltby Cake Recipe
Kathi’s recipe for “really quick chili”
Tonya’s Icebox Cakes (2 recipes):
https://averiecooks.com/boston-cream-icebox-cake/
https://thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-no-bake-icebox-cake-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202104
Tonya’ Cowboy Caviar
Ingredients:
2 15-oz. cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 16-oz bag frozen sweet corn, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 red onion, minced
1-2 jalapeno peppers, minced (taste first to check heat)
1 cucumber, peeled and diced (optional)
1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped
Dressing:
1 Tbsp olive oil
Juice from 2 fresh limes, about 4 tablespoons (lemon works too)
Dash of red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Mix together dressing ingredients and set aside. Mix salad ingredients in a bowl stir in dressing to blend. You can serve immediately but it’s even better after 2 hours in the fridge.
Notes: This can be made the night before. You can sub the black beans for any type of firm canned bean. Black-eyed peas and pinto beans are great substitutions.
Share your favorite tips! Win Kathi’s What’s for Dinner Solution!
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Leave a note in the comment section below. Tell us what your favorite cleaning tip or recipe is for your parties. Winner will be chosen on July 10, 2018.
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Meet Our Guest
Tonya Kubo
Tonya Kubo is the illustrious, fearless leader of Kathi Lipp’s Clutter-Free Academy Facebook group. She and her husband, Brian, are raising two spirited girls in the agricultural heart of California. She writes about fighting the demons of comparison, clutter and compulsion on www.tonyakubo.com.
My favorite quick recipe that has gone over quite well EVERYWHERE is homemade granola bars.
2 cups Oats
1.5-2 cups mix ins (I usually use a mix of dried cranberries, chocolate chips and walnuts but many different dried fruit options and nuts will work. I’ve had a friend even use chocolate chips)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (I said it was delicious NOT healthy…hehe)
Generous sprinkle of cinnamon
Mix all together. Put in small bar pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for around 20-25 mins. Turn out on cutting board and cool. Then cut and enjoy.
I love to clean the areas that will be seen by guests including putting out fresh towels in the bathroom and making sure bathroom is stocked with extra toilet paper. I try to find a new recipe with a little wow factor to make for a gathering to make it a little more special.
I always offer to bring something. Mom taught me that when you leave a person’s home you take with you a new memory therefore you never come empty handed. When the host leaves it up to me to bring my choice I bring a garden salad. One, my hubby raves about my salad and two I have yet to disappoint a host.
As far as cleaning goes, use disinfectant wipes on all bathroom surfaces, sweep or vacuum floors from all areas guests will use and go round with a laundry basket or bin, gathering any misplaced items and putting them in a closet, basement, hamper – anywhere where you can retrieve them and actually put them away later. If you have glass-topped furniture, go over it with a feather duster or Swiffer.
I have learned that when someone offers to bring something to the party to let them! It eases some of the stress on the hostess, and if there are any food allergies or dislikes that you aren’t aware of prior to the party, the person bringing the dish will have at least ONE thing to eat!!
I make pumpkin waffles when I need a brunch food. I also take it to friends homes for breakfast.