-Pilakhi, an Iranian white bean stewish dish, which is incidentally vegan, but meat eaters always love it. A giant pot (navy beans, carrots, canned tomatoes, onion, etc.) that serves 8 to 12 costs very little, especially if I have fresh parsley in my garden (that's the most expensive ingredient)

-French bread, home made. Easy, easy, easy. (perfect compliment to the Pilakhi) Costs basically whatever the flour costs plus a few cents towards the yeast.

-Salad. Everyone's too full from the pilakhi, but that's okay. If I have fresh garden greens, this is free but for the dressing. Otherwise you can throw together a giant salad fairly inexpensively.

Appetizers: Cheese and crackers, maybe nuts. Everyone likes cheese and crackers and this can be real cheap or you can get a nicer cheese. Use a pretty platter and it looks great.

Wine: Biggest cost is the liquor but, a) I live where everyone drives; b) everyone I know is pregnant; and c) someone usually offers to bring a bottle of wine. Otherwise, a nice Aussie shiraz can be had for $10. Or "Barefoot" is always on sale and I like that stuff fine as a table wine.

I know people don't often serve soupy or stewy things as the main course, but everyone likes this dish and it's easy and inexpensive (and doesn't require delicate negotiations over who can eat what). I can throw this dinner party for 12 people with only a minor bump in my usual grocery budget. I make a few simple curries; those also tend to be popular main dishes when I have a sit-down party.

Decor: If I couldn't put together something seasonal with what I already own, I'd probably call a few creative friends for loaners/ideas/help.

When I throw a potluck, I usually make a meaty chili as the main dish. Again, a lot of bang for your buck in soupy/stewy things, and it can sit happily in the crockpot. (Does require bowls, tho.)

 Reply

As far as decorations go - streamers (as mentioned above) and christmas lights.

Drink enough of my punch and everyone looks fabulous, anyway...

 Reply

My puppy, Titan, hes not even a year old yet...Well, I noticed today that his shaft is swollen, he is not erect, but there is a ball shaped swollen area and the tip is a little red. He doesnt appear to be in any pain and the swollen area is not warm to the touch like an infection would be....

I cant afford another visit to the vet right now, I just got my other out because her intestines were falling out of her tummy...I hope this will be something minor but with my luck im sure it will be something huge.

If any of you Jezzies are Vets or have any ideas, id really really be grateful...thanks everyone

 Reply

Home, skillet on, oven on. Flour, egg, bread the chicken. In the pan until brown on both sides. (for this size group:) jar of sauce in the bottom of a large pyrex pan. chicken on top. another jar of sauce on top. cheese it up.

oven for 20 minutes. cook pasta. SERVE.

 Reply

Though, strictly speaking, it's not very fancy.

 Reply

The mom got two huge turkeys on clearance sale at like Costco, and barbecued them, and made BBQ turkey sandwiches. They had a whole cowboys theme, and all the kids helped set up and make favors etc. I think the whole party cost a little over $100. It was incredible.

 Reply

For thanksgiving, my dinner on a budget included a turkey provided by the local Food Pantry (food donation survival center), sweet potatoes that were only 50 cents a pound, potatoes I bought in the fall for the awesome deal of 50 lbs for $9, and pretty much everything except the fresh cranberries were on sale.

I've just realized that I actually have no money for groceries this week (rent due and I don't have enough to cover it, car payment due--it's extremely reasonable and necessary, since my car died in the summer and I can barely cover a small payment but can't afford a whole used car all at once, and there is no reliable public transportation here)

We've been eating off the turkey and leftovers since Thursday, now just the turkey is left. I'll have to make a soup which will stretch things a little until I get my next paycheck.

So yeah, not to complain, but the amount that guy spent on his "cheap" party would have covered my groceries for two weeks, or maybe bought the Xmas presents I currently can't afford to buy, and still left money over for some new shoes for me. And maybe some mittens--the last pair I've had for over ten years.

 Reply

K-Mart ... $72 for decorations

*TJs .... $100 to feed 8

99 cent store ... At least $10 on plastic leaves

Food Emporium .... $4.29 for an angel food cake

~$50 spread out most likely between the 99 cent store, TJs, and Food Emporium.

*(author mentions in the multi-media presentation it is now Three Buck Chuck, bought 6 bottles, and the meal had no protein component. I'm assuming he means meat protein, but then I wondered what sort of chili he was serving that didn't have meat.)

 Reply