Dinner Parties on the (Ultra) Cheap

Published on Monday, November 3, 2008, by Emily Matchar / Edit Post

Dinner Parties on the (Ultra) Cheap(cont.)

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$100 Southern Spread for 8

As Southerners have long known, one of the best ways to feed the masses for cheap is with a big ol’ hunk of meat. Go all out with an easy barbecued brisket and plenty of trimmings—fried green tomatoes, buttermilk mashed potatoes, collards, and, of course, copious amounts of bourbon.

Price Breakdowns*

Maxie’s Fried Green Tomatoes

Double the recipe and serve these as appetizers with a dab of rémoulade or a squeeze of lemon.

  • - 2 large eggs
    (1/6 of a $1.89 carton = 32 cents)
  • - 4 cups panko
    ($3.98 from the bulk section)
  • - 3 teaspoons lemon zest
    (50 cents for one large lemon)
  • - 4 pounds green tomatoes
    ($9.96 at $2.49 per pound from the Indian market)
*******************************

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

  • - 8 pounds russet potatoes
    ($7.99)
  • - 3/4 cup heavy cream
    ($1.59 for a half pint)
  • - 6 tablespoons butter
    (approximately 1/4 of a $3.69 16-ounce package = 92 cents)
  • - 1 cup buttermilk
    (1/2 of a 79-cent pint = 40 cents)

Shortcut BBQ Brisket

  • - 6-pound beef brisket
    ($29.94)
  • - 1 cup Big Cow Beef Injection (about $2 worth of beef stock and spices)
  • - Big-Time Barbecue Rub
    (about $1 worth of brown sugar and spices)
*****************************

Citrus Collards with Raisins

I doubled this recipe, a sweet, newfangled take on the Southern standard.

  • - 4 large bunches of collards
    ($5.37)
  • - 4 garlic cloves
    (59 cents for a whole head)
  • - 1 1/3 cups raisins ($1.99)
  • - 2/3 cup orange juice
    (about 23 cents, from a $1.97 64-ounce carton)

Chocolate Pecan Pie

  • - 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter
    (about $1.15, from a $3.69 16-ounce package)
  • - 7 eggs
    (about $1.10, from a $1.89 carton)
  • - 1 cup pecan halves
    ($5.78)
  • - 1 cup dark corn syrup
    (1/2 of a $3 bottle = $1.50)
  • - 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    ($1.08 for a 12-ounce package)
  • - 1 pint heavy cream
    ($1.59)
  • - Dash of bourbon from the bottle purchased for cocktails
*******************************

Southern Picnic Cocktails

I’d use a dash of simple syrup instead of elderflower liqueur.

  • - 1 liter Heaven Hill bourbon
    ($12.49)
  • - Tea
    (1/2 of a $1.99 box of Lipton = 99 cents)
*******************************

*These ingredients were purchased in North Carolina.

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  • 3 years old and still getting play from Flipboard. I was already laughing at the fantasy prices until I saw the note that all shopping was done in North Carolina. Made me laugh even more.
    And really, a dinner party for 8 people with only 3lbs of meat and 3 bottles of cheap bad wine? That works out to about 3 medium sized meatballs, a slice of bread and some rabe with a glass of headache in the...+READ

    3 years old and still getting play from Flipboard. I was already laughing at the fantasy prices until I saw the note that all shopping was done in North Carolina. Made me laugh even more.
    And really, a dinner party for 8 people with only 3lbs of meat and 3 bottles of cheap bad wine? That works out to about 3 medium sized meatballs, a slice of bread and some rabe with a glass of headache in the morning. Not a recipe for a successful dinner party. Sorry. If you feel the need to host, save your pennies until you can throw a real party OR do the potluck thing.-COLLAPSE

  • For leftovers, try that broccoli rabe between two piadina (like tortillas--you could use tortillas), a little ricotta, and smidge of parm. Heat up a little olive oil in a cast iron skillet and get the whole thing in there; lightly brown on one side and then flip. Serve hot or warm, cut into triangles. For how to KEEP YOUR LEFTOVERS, watch Dinner Confidential on fayedelicious.blip.tv

  • Regarding the Italian dinner, I would want to add some rosemary-infused olive oil to the white bean spread. I'd also add a grated carrot to the basic tomato sauce. And I can't imagine not serving pasta in such a meal (I'd probably go for small shells.) Even with these additions, I'd keep the total tab close to $50 by making my own ricotta and skipping the loaf of "crusty bread" which guests never...+READ

    Regarding the Italian dinner, I would want to add some rosemary-infused olive oil to the white bean spread. I'd also add a grated carrot to the basic tomato sauce. And I can't imagine not serving pasta in such a meal (I'd probably go for small shells.) Even with these additions, I'd keep the total tab close to $50 by making my own ricotta and skipping the loaf of "crusty bread" which guests never eat anyway. I might also substitute something cheaper than honey for the figs and honey, like a dab of a fruit preserve or chopped chocolate, and I must admit I'd be tempted to splurge by adding sliced almonds or chopped walnuts or hazelnuts in the fig for crunch.

    For what it's worth, I dislike flowers on the table where I'm eating. I'd rather have warm lighting.-COLLAPSE

  • Emily - I think mostly right on. But if you scrap flowers, look east and serve family style, then I'm worried that you're inviting the look and feel of a hippie potluck.

    Herein lies my bias. When I throw a party and I don't have money, I put in more TIME to make it beautiful, or else I won't throw the party. That means I plate all meals that hit the table, and snag flowers from the gardens in...+READ

    Emily - I think mostly right on. But if you scrap flowers, look east and serve family style, then I'm worried that you're inviting the look and feel of a hippie potluck.

    Herein lies my bias. When I throw a party and I don't have money, I put in more TIME to make it beautiful, or else I won't throw the party. That means I plate all meals that hit the table, and snag flowers from the gardens in the neighborhood (with permission) if that's what it takes.

    These inspirations more or less come from my grandma, BTW, a Great Depression survivor who never threw a dinner party that wasn't on the cheap.-COLLAPSE

  • Ugh, I hate it when HTML shows. Haha oh well. Just disregard the coding.

  • If you are just having a party with the guys I think some papa john's pizza coupons or whatnot would be a good choice too. Pizza is always a good choice for parties.

  • I just had a dinner party with my friends and I used recipes from a budget-friendly cookbook (I'm a cheap college student). It's also perfect for newer cooks because the recipes are basic and easy to follow. The authors will actually be on the TODAY show on April 17th to do a salmon demo! Check out the book for more inexpensive recipes: "Freshman in the Kitchen" (Huron River Press)
    (My favorite...+READ

    I just had a dinner party with my friends and I used recipes from a budget-friendly cookbook (I'm a cheap college student). It's also perfect for newer cooks because the recipes are basic and easy to follow. The authors will actually be on the TODAY show on April 17th to do a salmon demo! Check out the book for more inexpensive recipes: "Freshman in the Kitchen" (Huron River Press)
    (My favorite is the Sesame Peanut Noodles-- major crowd pleaser)-COLLAPSE

  • I think this is one of the best pieces I've seen on Chow.com, period. All the nouveau-frugality articles cluttering up the internets these days are somehow lacking: too vague, too banal, too obvious, too general, too narrow. In contrast, *this piece* is in tune with what's on people's minds; it's broadly accessible w/different menus; it's appealing; it's concrete. It's making me kick myself that...+READ

    I think this is one of the best pieces I've seen on Chow.com, period. All the nouveau-frugality articles cluttering up the internets these days are somehow lacking: too vague, too banal, too obvious, too general, too narrow. In contrast, *this piece* is in tune with what's on people's minds; it's broadly accessible w/different menus; it's appealing; it's concrete. It's making me kick myself that I haven't done it at my house already!-COLLAPSE

  • There is, of course, variation within all named spice blends but "curry powder" is fairly standardized and completely different than garam masala. I'm not sure if anyone in India uses anything that resembles curry powder.

  • Curry leaves are an herb from a shrub or small tree (Murraya koenigii). They're used in Indian cooking much like bay leaves are used in Western cooking. "Curry powder" is a Western name for various spice blends that Indian cooks call garam masala ('hot spice").

  • After eating a vegetarian meal, I may be full but I don't feel "fed." Something about meat is what I need, so the $30 Indian menu would work great for carnivores, I think, just by adding some thin-sliced, brined pork to the cabbage and some seared chicken (from thighs) to the curry. The extra meat would push the cost to about $35-40 but for me, it would be worth it.

    BTW, what are curry...+READ

    After eating a vegetarian meal, I may be full but I don't feel "fed." Something about meat is what I need, so the $30 Indian menu would work great for carnivores, I think, just by adding some thin-sliced, brined pork to the cabbage and some seared chicken (from thighs) to the curry. The extra meat would push the cost to about $35-40 but for me, it would be worth it.

    BTW, what are curry "leaves"? I thought curry was a powdered amalgam of spices?-COLLAPSE

  • I love the tips on the last page, though I'd suggest organic types be careful of such cheap produce as in #4.

  • wow! what a fantastic and helpful column. thanks for doing this!