Looking to host a dinner party in your new Darling home in Dallas or Houston? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you pull off a party your guests won’t forget.
Decor and Atmosphere
Set the stage for a dinner party with a simple, elegant centerpiece that shows off your style and personality. Gain inspiration from the season, using fresh flowers in the springtime through the end of summer, or fall-inspired colors and decor during the autumn months.
Darling Homes’ dining rooms are impeccably-designed entertainment spaces. Homeowners can add their personal touch with the addition of a few art pieces or mirrors to the walls.
In addition, for your dinner party, set the table and adding in decor ahead of time with a full range of cutlery, cloth napkins and any dishware necessary to help prepare you for an evening of hosting guests.
Consider playing light background music from the living room or kitchen area to help set a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.
The Menu
When it comes to choosing a menu, it’s best to pick something that you are comfortable cooking that is also a generally popular food.
Food Network put together a list of 34 simple yet savory courses for hosts to try during their next dinner party, with options including lemon and garlic roast chicken, eggplant parmigiana and seafood gumbo. Whether you’re looking for a simple, quick menu or a more complicated, multi-course meal, this list provides plenty of options from appetizers to unforgettable desserts.
Get Inspired
Check out photos of our Darling Homes DallasandHouston dining rooms on Pinterest for more inspiration, and share with us how you plan for your perfect dinner party!
Imagine an intimate Easter brunch brimming with delicate pastels and beautiful shades of a robin’s egg blue from the comfort of your very own home.
Easter is a great opportunity to transition your winter home furnishings into vibrant spring decor. Pair that with a decadent Easter brunch at home to ensure a memorable day everyone will enjoy.
Start with an elegant tablescape with charming table settings and a large arrangement of fresh flowers as its centerpiece. This gorgeous bouquet includes lovely shades of pink, cream and orange with an Easter-inspired twist you’ll simply love. Spread adorable egg candles around the house and you’ll have created effortless elegance and charm in your home.
With warm spring weather just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to enjoy your Easter brunch outdoors. Darling Homes’model home at The Woodlands, Jaden Oaks features a spacious courtyard with plenty of room to dine and entertain in luxury.
The Woodlands, Jaden Oaks
The Woodlands, Jaden Oaks
For your drink menu, treat guests to an array of freshly squeezed juices, iced teas and chilled cocktails. Then, delve into warm, fluffy scones and pastries for a decadent appetizer as you put the final touches on the main course.
Want to dazzle your guests? We suggest trying this Carrot Cake Scone topped with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting from Broma Bakery.
First, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Next, mix together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices and slowly add in cold butter until blended.
Sprinkle in grated carrot, coconut, walnuts or pecans and raisins to the mixture then roll the dough into a flat surface and cut into equal wedges.
As the dough is baking in the oven for 18 minutes, prepare the coconut cream cheese frosting by combining all of the ingredients into a mixer until blended thoroughly into a rich, creamy frosting.
Finally, frost the warm scones and top with a dash of coconut.
Imagine preparing your Easter brunch in a Darling Homesgourmet kitchen with expansive center islands and plenty of counter space for an exquisite spread.
First, season the beans by sauteeing onion, garlic and varied Mexican spices then lightly brush the skillets with a layer of olive oil.
Lightly toast either side of the tortillas and brush with olive oil for a crispy taste and toasty aroma then lay it across the bottom of the skillet.
Separate the bean mixture among the skillets then crack the eggs on top and sprinkle with salt, pepper and your choice of cheese before placing the skillets into a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Finally, garnish with fresh avocado slices, cilantro, tomato and a hint of lime juice.
For those craving a sweet confection, a fresh batch of Breslin’s ricotta pancakes with notes of tangy orange zest is sure to appeal. We recommend this recipe by Food & Wine.
First, prepare the orange syrup by peeling the zest from an orange into long strips. Boil water in a large saucepan and blanch the zest then simmer orange juice, sugar, water and blanched zest until you have a thick, syrupy texture.
For the pancakes, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, egg yolks and ricotta.
Next, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat egg whites until stiff, then fold the beaten egg whites into the batter.
Once you have your pancake batter, brush a thin layer of vegetable oil onto a cast-iron skillet and cook pancakes until fluffy then top with syrup.
For side dishes, stick with simple and delicious, like crispy bacon, sausage and assorted fresh fruits.
Like what you see? Visit our Pinterest page for more Easter inspiration and recipes.
Are you hosting the holidays at your house this year? Want to create the perfect holiday atmosphere for a get-together they’ll remember for years to come?
We’re sharing our favorite ideas for a holiday at home that will surprise and delight guests at every turn with an amazing menu and serving plan that will keep your guests happy and the party moving throughout the day!
First, you’ll dazzle them with your choice of an amazing appetizer that stimulates the senses with sensational presentation and tantalizing tastes that are sure to please.
Your guests are sure to gather ‘round and enjoy the feeling of harvest and home with a harvest-inspired vegetable platter that’s so good they’ll think you’ve hand-picked each delectable piece from your own garden.
An artisan cheese platter is sure-fire hit. With an assortment of dried and fresh fruits, rich cheeses and seasonal nuts, this spread is sure to be a guest favorite.
Have plenty of people to please? Serve an assorted appetizer platter that offers it all: fresh fruit, a selection of artisan cheeses and crackers, antipasto and roasted nuts!
Serve your appetizer and drinks in a central area that encourages guests to gather and mingle. An ideal location is a breakfast nook or kitchen island.
After appetizers, bring guests together in your formal dining area to enjoy a holiday dining experience that’s worth the wait. An elongated dining table with holiday tablescape decor that allows enough room to lay out each dish without causing clutter is ideal.
Your holiday dinner is a time for you to show off your cooking and style. Start with a first course that whets appetites and sets the stage for an amazing meal that’s sure to rank at the top for beauty and flavor.
Start by serving a delicious holiday soup recipe topped with a colorful garnish and warm your guests after their holiday travels.
Then wow them with this classic Thanksgiving turkey recipe with a twist, garnished with fresh greens, pomegranate slices or cranberries, and other flavorful fruits for a bold, decorative statement that’s as good as it looks.
Then roll out a basket of piping-hot pumpkin shaped dinner rolls for that little something extra your guests can’t help but notice.
Now for the fun part, dessert!
Shift the party outdoors before the sun goes down to indulge in your most spectacular holiday dessert fireside. Plush furnishings and plenty of space will allow guests to relax and enjoy each other’s company while partaking what’s sure to become a holiday classic, like cranberry layer cake, chocolate pear spice cake, pecan pie or your perfect pumpkin pie.
