Last week Craig Coffey from FOX 21 News came over to my house and we cooked live on air. We featured two recipes for a family of four for less than ten dollars and three inexpensive and quick appetizers. Since we were cooking “budget food” (that by the way doesn’t taste like budget food,) I wanted to show how you can serve it in creative but inexpensive ways too. These are great ideas for entertaining too, especially when you’re having larger groups over. If you’re reluctant to have company over, whether for a smaller, intimate meal or for a backyard barbecue, don’t let the fact you don’t have enough dishes to stop you. Here’s some ideas on how you can find dishes, serving pieces and household items at thrift stores to use for your next entertaining adventure. I found all the following pieces at our local Discover Goodwill…
You can find dozens of plates in different colors and patterns at Goodwill (or any thrift store) for a lot less than you’d pay for brand new. I have found sets in twelve, eight, six, four and two. They are usually sold individually for anywhere from 79 cents each to $1.99 each. These green plates were 79 cents each and there were six available. You don’t have to have everything match either. You can pick up plates in different colors, patterns and shapes that complement each other for a fun, eclectic table. Make sure you check for scratches and chips.
I used our green plates for shrimp tacos and served sweet chili sauce on the side in this mini white bowl and mini tart pan (29 cents and 49 cents.)
These “cheers” plates were in perfect condition and just fun. They were priced at $1.59 each but on sale for 30% off so they were $1.11 per plate. These are perfect for appetizers, to either serve off or eat from.
We made beer cheese and veggie cream cheese as two of our appetizers which are easily spread on crackers and raw vegetables with these cheese knives. They were still in the original box and priced at $2.49. This would also make a great “hostess” gift, especially if you volunteer to bring a cheese course to a get-together.
I used this beautiful glass platter to serve fresh veggies, crackers and veggie cream cheese. This was priced at $6.29 (after taking the 30% off sale.) I like this particular dish because you could use it for so many things like dips and veggies (as I did) but it would make an elegant holder for lettuce, tomato and onion (for burgers), 3 different cold salads, snacks, or take it out of the kitchen and use it to hold jewelry.
Bowl 79 cents, napkin 99 cents, napkin ring (4 in original box for $1.99), margarita glass 99 cents, place mat 99 cents and the fork was 10 cents. There’s always tons of silverware, which are usually pieces that don’t match but they make great serving pieces.
I use votive candle holders for lots of other things, besides candles. We used the larger holders to pack our beer cheese in and the smaller ones for dips. I use smaller votive holders for condiments like ketchup and mayo when serving burgers or brats. One year I used them for ice cream toppings when we had an ice-cream bar. I can always find these for anywhere from 29 cents to 59 cents at any Goodwill I shop at.
My girlfriend Patricia came over the day before filming to help me prep all the food. She’s wrapping twine around one of the votive holders for a cute added touch. I was actually going to send this “crock” of cheese home with Craig but he ate it all between segments! He really liked the beer cheese. Again, a simple and inexpensive hostess gift too. (We’re wearing sunglasses because neither one of us wanted our picture taken without makeup on!)
Lots of prep work finished….sparkling wine chilling for mimosas. All my glass bowls came from Goodwill, all costing less than 50 cents.
This decorative leaf platter would look great on a coffee table or use it as a serving tray for tacos, hot dogs, dip and chips, veggies, etc. This was $7.99.
Sure you can use these glasses ($1.29) for cocktails but think outside the glass…I used these for my pickled vegetables. I’ve used glasses like these for cold soups, puddings, ice cream, and shrimp cocktail.
Now the fun really begins…cleaning up! Where’s my helpers? Our cat Fergie, who was locked up during filming, came out to check out the mess. Too bad she can’t load the dishwasher!
Craig about to attack, I mean cut the corn kernels off the cob for our grilled corn chowder. My blue and silver bracelet came from Ashley’s Attic for $5.00.
The mimosas certainly helped take the edge off! The champagne glasses were only 79 cents from Discover Goodwill.
It was a great morning of filming. Food and dishes looked fabulous without spending a ton of money and I’m looking forward to cooking with Craig again next Monday, live on FOX 21 News.