2020 is nearing its end and as the holiday season is approaching, people are beginning to plan gatherings, reunions and parties to see the year off. For those who are looking to celebrate with family and friends at home, we've got a list of easy and delicious meals you can make that'll take your year-end gathering to the next level! So skip the pizza orders, fire up the stove and get ready to cook up some awesome dishes ??
1. Korean barbecue
Everybody loves a good barbecue - it's a style of cooking that exists in (almost) every corner of the world. Korean barbecue (also known as K-BBQ), in particular, is an awesome variation of this cooking method. Usually featuring thin cuts of marinated meat and cooked on a grill around which everyone is gathered, it's a communal eating experience that's as social as it is delicious. While Korean barbecue tends to be something we head to the restaurants for, it's actually not that hard to have your own halal Korean barbecue at home! Check out our full breakdown of how to do it, from gear to meats to other side dishes you'll need.
2. Fried rice
When it comes to fried rice, there are a few things we know for sure: 1) It's easy to make and 2) You can't go wrong with it a party! As one of the most universally-loved dishes over the world, having fried rice at the dinner table is a safe bet. Plus, what ingredients you choose to make it with is entirely up to you. There's no hard rule to fried rice so be as creative as you'd like! If you're unfamiliar with mixing and matching flavours, take a look at our recipe article of fried rice from around the world to help you get started.
3. Pasta
Another fail-safe dish that will guarantee deliciousness is pasta! Whether it's fettucine alfredo or beef Bolognese, there's always room for this beloved Italian dish. Not only will it be a treat for your taste buds but it's a straightforward recipe that'll save you time and effort. But why stop at pastas? Go ahead and throw an all-Italian meal by making bruschetta, margherita pizzas and even affogatos! From appetizers all the way down to desserts, check out this list of easy Italian recipes that'll give you just what you need.
P.S. If you're sticking to pastas only, check out these 8 easy pasta recipes that are perfect for any special occasion.
4. Taco
For fans of Mexican flavours, throwing a taco party is the best way to celebrate your year-end gathering. It's a fun way to get everyone involved in creating their own meal. Plus, you won't have to lift a finger serving anyone ? All you need to do is prepare an assortment of fillings which can include shredded chicken or ground beef, diced tomatoes, refried beans and sautéed bell peppers. Of course, there's no forgetting the sauces and dippings! Whip up some salsa, guacamole (you can use this easy recipe) or sour cream to complete your taco party.
5. Steak
Throwing a party for a smaller group of people? Then serving steaks with a side of roasted vegetables, mash potatoes or salad should do the trick. While steak is often seen as a meal to head to a fancy restaurant for, truth be told, you can also make good steak to enjoy at home! With premium cuts of halal meat becoming more widely accessible, it's actually doable to cook and eat your steak at home. So if you're wondering how to cook a steak at home, we've got you covered with our step-by-step guide.
6. Pizza
While we did say to skip pizza orders, that doesn't mean you can't have pizzas at your gathering! Instead of ordering online, why not make it yourself? There are quick dough recipes that you can use to make your pizza dough from scratch quite easily, but if you're super pressed for time, you can just use ready-made pita or naan bread that you can find at the supermarket (like the kind sold by brands like Mission). All that's left to do is spread tomato sauce from a can or jar, add yours and your guests' favourite toppings, generously top with shredded mozzarella, bake and voilà - you've got your pizza party ready to go.
7. Chicken curry
For a super hearty and flavourful meal, chicken curry is your answer. Pair it with a plate of steamed white rice and you've got yourself a classic, quintessential dish in almost every Southeast Asian household. It's a one-pot recipe that is super easy to make but you can also prepare it in a pressure cooker! This video recipe from Spice Eats comes complete with dashes of masala powder, ginger garlic paste, coriander powder and more. So what you'll get is a family-sized serving of flavourful curry that's perfect for dinner. Fancy Thai flavours in your curry? Try following this one by Nagi on Recipetineats for red curry and this one from Hot Thai Kitchen for green curry.
8. Mediterranean-style stuffed bell peppers
If you're up for something unique and different, Mediterranean-style stuffed bell peppers should be your top choice. It's not something you typically find at most dinner parties but it will surely impress your guests at first glance. Stuffed peppers are a type of dish variation shared by many cultures across the globe. Spanish, Egyptians, Italians, Russians (and more!) share the love for this kitchen staple that's wholesome and easy to prepare. The common idea is to stuff any solid vegetable that has a natural cavity with protein and carbohydrates of our choice. So if you're thinking eggplant, heirloom tomatoes and even zucchini, the answer is yes, feel free to stuff them too! Check out this recipe by Suzy of The Mediterranean Dish or Megan Splawn of The Kitchn's recipe to see how you can create this dish.
BONUS: Cheesecake
You can't call it a party without any desserts and one of the best things to indulge at the end of a meal is a cake, more specifically a cheesecake. There are plenty of variations to this rich dessert - from biscuit-based recipes such as Oreo cheesecake and Lotus Biscoff cheesecake to fruit-based recipes like blueberry cheesecake and mango cheesecake. Not sure where to begin? Sally's Baking Addiction is the perfect place to start as it features a simple 4-step recipe for the perfect basic no-bake cheesecake. The stars of the show include a Graham cracker base, lots of cream cheese and dollops of heavy cream!
#HHWTTip: If you can't find Graham crackers on your grocer's shelves, Digestives biscuits are the perfect substitute.
Now that you've got this handy list to help you out, you're all set to have a wonderful feast with family and friends at your gathering ?
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