Beautiful simple dishes for the holiday table. What to cook for a birthday: a selection of delicious recipes

If the holiday “takes you by surprise” and spend a large number of There is no time to prepare a variety of culinary masterpieces; you can always use a number of quick and tasty recipes for holiday dishes. It’s worth adding such recipes to your culinary “arsenal” - and you will always be “fully armed” for any holiday.

Quick recipes for hot dishes for the holiday table

Of course, no holiday feast is complete without hot dishes. But what if guests are already on the doorstep, and there is simply no time to prepare the same, for example, traditional fried chicken? The answer is simple - there are a surprising number of quick hot recipes that will take literally 20-30 minutes. These are, for example, unusual “pancakes” made from spaghetti with mushrooms, herbs and cheese - the dish both looks appetizing and is extremely simple to prepare. In case of force majeure, you can store a pack or two of egg noodles in the kitchen cabinet, which cook very quickly: in this case, you can serve them at the holiday table original dish in Asian style. A “quickie” recipe is good not only because it takes 15-20 minutes at most to prepare, but also because when preparing such a festive hot dish, you can fantasize endlessly, adding any greens that you have in the refrigerator, recycling any remaining pieces of meat.

Quick and delicious sweet recipes for the holiday

Something, and all kinds of desserts for the holiday table can really be prepared in a hurry - if only the necessary ingredients were found. And first of all, this option for quick sweet dishes festive table- these are all kinds of cakes without baking. Most recipes for such cakes do not even require ready-made cake layers - just ordinary cottage cheese, sour cream and cookies and some frozen berries or jam will be enough.

If you have ready-made “store-bought” cakes on hand, it’s absolutely wonderful: in a matter of minutes you can prepare a quick and delicious cake with the most delicate coconut cream for the holiday table. However, ready-made cakes are not needed at all to prepare truly delicious homemade “pseudo-baking” - you can use, for example, the most ordinary gingerbread cookies. The finished “gingerbread” cake turns out no worse than the “store-bought” one. If time permits, you can prepare a chocolate-coconut roll without baking in advance for the holiday: it is made quickly and simply from available ingredients (cookies, coconut flakes, chocolate), but until ready delicious dessert you will have to “freeze” it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

If you show a little imagination, then without baking you can cook not only birthday cake, but also a great variety of desserts. So, for example, the dessert “Pleasure” will be an excellent table decoration without any effort or waste of time: in “baskets” of chocolate cookie crumbs there is an airy and very delicate mass of cottage cheese and strawberries (the berries can be used either fresh or frozen). From the same chocolate cookies and condensed milk you can make the well-known Potato cakes. If you have nothing at hand except cottage cheese, eggs and sour cream, you can serve the original cottage cheese casserole, for the preparation of which neither flour nor semolina. Simple and very tasty, this casserole has the consistency and taste of a classic cheesecake.

Recipes for a quick holiday dinner

In order for the holiday table to be replete with a variety of dishes, it is not at all necessary to spend the whole day in the kitchen - it will be enough to use a couple of recipes for quick holiday snacks. Try treating your gathered guests to miniature canapés with pate, rolls with curd cheese and herbs, or Raffaello cheese with walnuts and garlic - such snacks are ideal with wine and other festive alcoholic drinks.

Of course, the more original the appetizer looks, the better - after all, it is the design that distinguishes holiday dishes, first of all, from the “every day” menu. Even the most ordinary sandwiches with sprats can be an excellent holiday snack if you spend an extra 5 minutes decorating them. The appetizer with the self-explanatory name “Tomato Salad” also looks very nice - the great thing is that it takes only 10 minutes maximum to prepare. And in the same 10-15 minutes, from the leftovers that are found in the refrigerator, you can prepare a traditional “quickly” appetizer - stuffed eggs (the main thing is that you have something to stuff them with).

Not only snacks, but also salads can be prepared from literally anything you can find in the kitchen - if you don’t have time to go to the store, you can prepare, for example, an original warm buckwheat salad. And if you have any canned fish in the house, the number of available options for holiday salads immediately increases tenfold. A salad made from a can of canned tuna with eggs and cheese will be very tasty and festive. Moreover, from any canned fish If time permits, you can quickly prepare a variation of the classic holiday salad “under a fur coat” from potatoes, gherkins, beets, and chicken eggs.

If the holiday really took you by surprise and you don’t have any ingredients at home to prepare any holiday appetizers or desserts, “lazy” mince pies are an excellent option - for example, the original meatball pie or the hearty and tasty lavash jellied cake “Men’s Joy” " And even if the list of available products is limited to lavash, sour cream, milk and eggs, you can prepare a quick “lazy” pie with cheese filling for the holiday table.

Before this significant date the heart invariably skips a beat with joy in anticipation of gifts, fun, and friendly meetings. But some people various reasons don't like their birthdays. Someone because they are at least a year older, but they are getting older. And some, especially thrifty people, tensely calculate how much it will cost them and the announcement of the estimate spoils their mood. Life is such that everyone is forced to save money from time to time. But this is not a reason to deprive yourself of the holidays. Therefore, we will try to answer the question: how to inexpensively set a table for a birthday?

Where does the tradition come from?

When did people start celebrating birthdays? There are two versions. According to the first, the tradition was based on Roman rites held in honor of the gods. The pagans set rich tables, congratulations were heard, and various gifts were given. This hypothesis is more modern. And the second version says that the roots of the tradition go back to ancient times, when there were beliefs about the special vulnerability of a person on his birthday. It was believed that any wishes or curses had double power on such dates. Therefore, ancient people tried to appease the spirits with offerings so that they would not harm the newborn.

Name day of Mukha-Tsokotukha

Gradually they got personal, but for a long time no one paid attention to the date of birth of children and women. The first woman whose birthday was celebrated on a grand scale was the beautiful Cleopatra. It was not customary for ordinary people to record and celebrate ladies' birthdays.

The Greeks and Egyptians often and pompously celebrated the birth dates of the gods, as well as pharaohs and kings. Sometimes, on the occasion of the birth of the pharaoh, prisoners were released from prisons. In ordinary families, it was common practice to celebrate only the birthday of the head of the family.

The position of Christianity on this issue was initially extremely harsh: life was given to man to atone for sins, so he had no time for fun. Later, the church softened somewhat and allowed baptisms with name days. But the Soviet system was against name days and, figuratively speaking, trampled tradition with its iron boot. Even the famous birthday fly was ordered to be removed from the works of old man Korney.

By the way, name days in Rus' were very popular: they baked a loaf, brewed delicious beer, made pies and always sang songs. Of course, peasant holidays were much more modest than the royal ones: sometimes the amount spent on the name day of the crowned person could build several luxurious palaces.

Cake with surprise

It is clear that ordinary people have always dreamed of setting a tasty and inexpensive table for their birthday. But what's a holiday without cake? Few people know where this indispensable attribute of birthdays came to us. If you dig deeper, it is believed that the idea itself came again from the times of paganism, when sacred altars in honor of the ancient gods were lit in pitch darkness.

But the tradition was introduced into use by the Germans. They created a common ritual of celebration children's day birth. To do this, they prepared a delicious cake in which they hid various symbolic objects, placed candles on top according to the number of years of the hero of the occasion, and, waking up the child at dawn, sang cheerful songs to him. It is noteworthy that the pie was not eaten until evening, until the whole family had gathered at the table. The child had to wish for something cherished and blow out the candles in one go. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Jam Day: their morals

IN different countries Such holidays are treated differently. Most people on the planet have a reverent attitude towards anniversaries. But some nationalities celebrate odd or non-round dates. Traditions are also different: in Italy, spaghetti will be an indispensable dish on the birthday boy’s table (so that he lives long), and in countries Latin America Be sure to break the piñata with gifts loaded into it.

Englishmen who have lived to 80 years or more are personally congratulated by Her Royal Majesty. But the most unlucky birthday people live in Japan: instead of children, their parents are congratulated, and gifts are generally given only after the age of 60.

Economy table rules

If the birthday hostess still decides to gather close people under her hospitable roof, but wants to balance her needs with her capabilities, then there is a way out.

Setting the table for a birthday at home is inexpensive, very tasty, and in such a way that it looks presentable - an absolutely doable task. To do this, you need to adhere to the simplest rules:

1. The menu must be thought out in advance. It’s a good idea to delve into cookbooks and leaf through magazines. You need to pay attention to the ingredients: it’s cheaper to buy seasonal products, so the menu is selected accordingly. If a housewife wants to set a birthday table at home inexpensively, recipes with photos are especially welcome, because you can immediately see how the dishes will look on the table.
2. Accurately calculate the number of invitees (taking into account, of course, several uninvited guests). You can prepare hot food in portions, but in this case the birthday girl will have no peace. It is better to make a common dish with a reserve.
3. As a rule, first courses are not included in the birthday menu. The exception is exotic gourmet soups.
4. If you are planning a traditional celebration, then it is quite possible to set the birthday table at home inexpensively. Recipes for budget dishes can be found in any source to suit your taste. But it must include cold and hot appetizers, a main course (meat or fish), salads and dessert.

Alcoholic drinks are also an important attribute of the holiday table, since they increase the mood, forgive the pun.

Modest cut and luxurious roll

Many families adhere to classic, long-standing traditions and set the table with their favorite dishes that guests know by heart. But this approach has its own benefits: people will never leave hungry and are guaranteed to be satisfied.

Standard cold appetizers include meat, cheese and vegetable slices. This classic approach has never failed anyone. The main thing is the variety of varieties in the cutting composition. Everyone knows that any feast should start with cold appetizers. This is the so-called Organizing time: It’s useless to hope that no one will be late. And while waiting, the rest of the guests will be able to have a great meal so as not to drink on an empty stomach.

For those who want to set a birthday table at home inexpensively, Korean snacks are perfect: buy a little of everything (try the dishes first) and place them on the table in small plates. Homemade pickles and marinades are also in great demand among guests.

There are express recipes for those initiated on how to deliciously and inexpensively set the table for a birthday: a cold roll and an appetizer with the romantic name “Raffaello”. The first one is prepared as follows:

• sheet thin pita bread grease with a mixture that includes: mayonnaise, garlic, dill and grated cheese;
• Thinly sliced ​​ham is placed on top;
• then the actions are repeated;
• roll the pita bread into a roll;
• Wrap the product in cling film and put it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

This inexpensive but original dish should be served by cutting it into portioned pieces with a very sharp knife.

The Raffaello appetizer will require the following ingredients:

• crab sticks;
• garlic;
• hard cheese;
• mayonnaise;
• cashews (but to save money, you can use walnuts).

A nut kernel is rolled into a mixture of cheese, full-fat mayonnaise and garlic. Next, grate the frozen crab stick. Roll in grated crab meat with a surprise: the dish is ready. Using this recipe, you can reveal the secret of how to quickly and inexpensively set the table for a birthday. To make these balls look festive, they are placed on fresh lettuce leaves.

You can also use seasonal dishes. A budget option The menu is compiled in the summer. For example, eggplant tongues or fingers. The second option is more expensive, since it contains very little meat, but it does include meat.

Delightful hot snacks

A hostess asking herself the question of how to set a tasty and inexpensive table for a birthday party should not forget about hot appetizers. They follow the cold ones when everyone has gathered at the table and it’s time for the first toasts. There should not be a lot of them, and they are prepared shortly before serving. This light dish, which features small portion sizes. An example of such a snack would be easy-to-prepare meat balls:

• traditional minced cutlets are made, with the addition of raw eggs;
• the finished dough layer is rolled out and cut into strips;
• meat balls are wrapped with dough threads like a ball;
• The dish is baked in the oven until cooked.

This snack looks very presentable.

Nowadays it is not a problem for a housewife to set a table for a birthday at home inexpensively; recipes simply jump out of magazines, cookbooks, and Internet portals. Here, for example, is a dish similar to julienne, which is prepared ridiculously quickly and tastes simply charming. We present to housewives champignons in sour cream sauce.

The dish is prepared like this:

• Add peeled mushrooms to carefully sautéed onions and carrots and simmer for about 10 minutes;
• later sour cream and seasonings are added and everything is stewed until cooked.

The simplest dish can be made beautiful by sprinkling it with grated cheese and herbs on top and serving it in ceramic pots.

Salads for the date

If you intend to set the table for a birthday at home inexpensively, then you can’t do without salads. For the traditional approach, Olivier, herring under a fur coat, Mimosa or Caesar are suitable. You can use the simplest option, which will require products such as:

• green pea;
• ham;
• pickled champignons;
• mayonnaise.

This salad is suitable when guests are literally on the doorstep or come unexpectedly. After all, you don’t need to prepare anything in advance, all the components are simply mixed.

Salads with seafood can look original; the female half of the guests especially like them.

Main serving of dishes

A very important moment when, after the artistic exclamation: “Fedya! Game!" For example, a delicious baked duck appears on the table, stuffed with dried apricots and apples. But the question was how to inexpensively set the table for a birthday, what does the game have to do with it? You don’t have to bake the duck this way; you can do the same with chicken. You can use not the whole bird, but its legs or wings. If you marinate them well and roll them in honey, you will get an excellent dish with a delicious crispy crust.

In general, before planning the main serving, you need to ask yourself what your guests like more: meat or fish? Only after this can you prepare the treasured main course. Of course, with fish there is several times more trouble than with meat, but pike will become truly festive and will be remembered by guests for a long time. It’s a good idea to serve chops, cutlets, medallions or steaks to the holiday table. One thing is certain - meat must be present on the table.

As a side dish for main courses, you should choose potatoes in any form: mashed, fried, fried, boiled with herbs.

What about compote?

To set the table for a birthday inexpensively, food recipes are not all that a housewife needs. Drinks are also important. Of course, you can’t do without compotes, juices, carbonated drinks, maybe even croutons. What about alcohol? It is important to take into account here that not everyone drinks strong alcohol, so champagne and other wines are a mandatory attribute on the festive table.

Desserts require tea or coffee. As a sweet, of course, in classic version They serve a cake with candles, but how can you set a festive table for a birthday inexpensively? After all, cakes are quite an expensive pleasure. There is a solution: either bake a cake with your own hands, or buy cakes, cookies or candies. By the way, a confectionery product prepared personally is better than any purchased product, because the hostess puts her soul into the dish.

Mistress's secrets

To set the table for a birthday at home inexpensively, but at the same time make it unforgettable, you need to know main secret: competent serving and decoration of dishes. You should not waste your time on this.

What you need for serving and decorating:

1. Tablecloth. The classic version is white, but other colors are allowed.
2. Dishes. Cutlery and glasses should be polished to a shine. For a special occasion, it would be useful to take out your best set from the bins.
3. Don't forget about cloth napkins depending on the number of guests. They can be beautifully laid out in waves or in the form of shapes.
4. Decorate dishes with herbs, bright berries, like cranberries, peas, olives. For curly and fruit there is special knife, it would be nice to buy it. If you ask yourself: how to set a table for a birthday inexpensively, the recipes may be very surprising. And not only not too expensive and tasty dishes described in them, but also presentable appearance. This happens because the dish is decorated correctly, because when you look at the food, your appetite should come.
5. You shouldn’t do a lot of culinary experiments, let everything be as usual, with the exception of one or two dishes.

The holiday table should not be complete without a variety of vegetables and fruits. If you plan to have strong alcohol, then take care of a hearty and plentiful snack.

Little birthday boy

Many mothers probably think about how to inexpensively set the table for a child’s birthday so that he is delighted.

It's actually not difficult at all. There are several tips that you can use to make an unforgettable celebration for your child and his friends:

• paper dishes in bright colors - safe and beautiful, and you don’t need to wash anything;
• decorating the room with balloons, paper garlands;
• small-sized dishes - mostly canapés, salads in bowls, pita rolls with various fillings, chicken croquettes - children do not really like to overeat, unless, of course, it is sweets;
• you can offer water drinkers lemonade homemade, fruit drinks, juices, compotes and milk-fruit cocktails;
• desserts made from cottage cheese are preferable;
• It is better to season salads with sour cream and yoghurt.

Anything is suitable for canapés: ham, cheese stars, pepper slices, olives, corn, shrimp. The sweet version is made like this: bananas, grapes, and kiwi are stuck on skewers.

You can make a delicious salad from boiled chicken, tomatoes, sweet peppers and hard-boiled eggs, decorating it in the shape of a hedgehog with fly agarics on its back. The salad is laid in layers: chicken cut into pieces → tomatoes → grated eggs → chopped pepper. Each layer is coated with sour cream and yogurt dressing. The hedgehog should be sprinkled with grated carrots, and its face should be marked with egg white. The eyes and nose are made from olives and prunes, and fly agaric mushrooms are made from eggs and tomatoes.

It is important to create a festive atmosphere and provide the baby with the opportunity to move actively.

Alternative ideas

Finally, we can offer a few ideas when there is neither time nor desire to spend time in the kitchen, but the soul requires a holiday. You can set the table for a birthday at home inexpensively and deliciously by purchasing ready-made food from a deli or restaurant. This option is especially suitable for a young, advanced company. You can order pizza, ready-made grilled chicken and salads. Japanese cuisine will cost a little more.

There is also an interesting and modern option - a buffet table. But it obeys certain rules:

• division into single portions;
• dishes should be mostly on skewers;
• you can put all kinds of goodies on one large table;
• the main course should be in baskets or make plates by cutting them first;
• If chicken legs are served, the bone is wrapped in a napkin.

Alcoholic drinks must be uncorked, and guests must be provided with glasses. But a huge plus will be that the birthday girl does not have to constantly change plates and cutlery.

The most interesting option It will be a birthday party in nature. Happy people born in summer months, know what it means. Picnic in nature, barbecue, barbecue, air and sun - what could be more tempting? But there are nuances here too:

• salads with mayonnaise are not recommended dishes for a picnic;
• the meat must be marinated in advance;
• you should take care of drinking water;
• Sandwiches and side dishes can be taken from home.

Which one then delicious pilaf on a fire or potatoes baked in ash!

But no matter what the birthday boy chooses, the main thing is his loved ones nearby.

Quick holiday table

Recently I had to put together a holiday table in a hurry. There was little time to prepare - only 2.5 hours + another 1 hour for a quick run to the store for everything you need. I made it. It turned out very tasty, the guests were satisfied.

I’ll tell you how you can manage your time, have time to assemble the table and not get too tired. And what to whip up for guests.

What should be on hand

• Good knives (a sharp small one and 1 large one are enough for me);
• Cutting board (2 possible);
• Grater (large and small);
• Several bowls for preparing and mixing the dish;
• Spices (which you usually use);
• Apron;
• Dishes for table setting (plates, forks, spoons, glasses, glasses, glasses and utensils for tea and coffee: cups, saucers, plates for cake, teaspoons), napkins, a jug for drinks (for compote, juice), tablecloth.
• Dishes for serving dishes to the table and tablespoons (for laying out salads and other dishes);
• Cooking utensils (pots, pans, kettle).

In addition, clean hand towels are needed in the house, toilet paper, soap. Perhaps slippers, if you and your guests usually wear them.

I cooked on foreign territory. Therefore, I took with me: an apron, spices (dried basil) and a grater (in case I didn’t have one in the house). If you go to cook in someone else’s house and are not sure whether there are convenient knives there, I advise you to definitely bring your own, proven ones.

What can you buy in the store?

We assume that time is running out. Therefore, complex salads, for which you need to cook and cut a lot of different ingredients or lay them out in a special way, are not suitable for us. You can take them, but only ready-made ones. Yes, I know that ready-made salads are evil, but we have an urgent men's birthday. Here - either everything is from the supermarket kitchen, or we still have time to prepare some of the dishes ourselves, giving the table a homely look.

With our own hands we will only do things that can be prepared quickly. The principle of distribution of forces is as follows:

1. A few homemade quick and easy meals.
2. Some prepared food (1-2 salads, 1 meat). This is to guarantee that we will be fed something if we don’t have time to cook.
3. Snacks - something that will be a tasty addition to dishes or diversify the table, but does not require cooking (sausage, cheese, olives, cherry tomatoes, fruits, candies and other snacks).

I only write what I chose for a specific birthday.for 7-8 people. And you are guided by the situation.

Shopping list

Of the spices, I only had dried basil (for cutlets and cucumbers, but you can do without it). Check if you have salt at home. Otherwise, it must be added to the list.

Ready-made culinary dishes

• Salads with mayonnaise to choose from: – 700-800 g– Olivier (almost a win-win option, most guests love him, that’s what we bought). Herring under a fur coat is also an option; women love it. You can take any other delicious salad, which you have already purchased here and are confident in its quality.
• Baked/fried meat: – piece by piece, by the number of guests. We took the meat in French style. Can be replaced or supplemented with chicken thighs or legs (oven-baked or grilled). Choose something traditional, beautiful and fresh.
• Vegetable salads – 400 g(not all of them will be). We instead vegetable salads We bought 300-400 g of pickled champignons with onions. Options: coleslaw or sauerkraut, if you like it spicy: Korean salads (seaweed, mushrooms, pork ears), Georgian cabbage (large pieces in beet juice). Spicy and fresh diversify the taste sensations of guests.

Semi-finished products

• Minced meat (we have delicious pork-beef, pork-chicken and chicken) – 700-800 g.

Canned food

• Pickled cucumbers(gherkins) – 1 jar(not necessarily, we haven’t opened it, and there are so many). You can – pickled tomatoes;
• Mushrooms (salted are tastier than pickled) – 1 jar. We didn’t buy anything, we made do with those from the culinary industry;
• Olives and black olives – 1 jar each;
• Pineapples – 1 jar(480 g). This is for a salad with cheese and garlic.

Vegetables fruits

• Cherry tomatoes (fresh) – 500 g (packaging). Place the whole sprig on the table. They are very good eaten casually, like grapes (you can take both/or grapes for both a salty and a sweet table). Choose those cherries that sit firmly on the branch, they are fresh (those that have fallen off have been standing for a long time).
• Fresh cucumbers – 5-8 pieces(medium size). This is for the fast ones lightly salted cucumbers;
• Potato - 2-2.5 kg(whole plastic bag);
• Lemon – 1 piece;
• Garlic - 1 head;
• Bulb onions - 2 heads(in salad and cutlets);
• Dill - bun.
• Tangerines, grapes, any seasonal fruits and berries. We had 1 kg of tangerines.

Sausage, cheese, minced meat, fish, eggs

• Boiled sausage (doctor’s) – 0,5 small loaf;
• Boyarskaya sausage(type of ham) – 0,5 small loaf;
• Cheese Black Prince(Belarusian) – 250 g. The taste is good, traditional;
• Cheese (some kind of regular cheese, like Russian, in a salad) – 100 g;
• Processed cheese (Friendship or Orbit) – 1 piece;
• Eggs - 1 ten(large);
• Herring in oil – 1 package;

• Mayonnaise (the hostess’s dream turned out to be quite normal) – 1 small package (200 ml);
• Vegetable oil for frying(you only need a little, maybe you have a quarter of a bottle at home).

Beverages

Remember that at a rich table you always want to drink and 1 glass of compote or juice will not be enough for a guest (assume that everyone drinks 2-3 glasses).

• Alcohol: wine, martini, vodka - whatever you like. We have 1 bottle each: white and red wine (dry and semi-sweet), Martini Bianco. We drank a little, but everyone had a choice. Focus on your company.
• Juice - 2-4 liters(orange, grapefruit, apple, multifruit, tomato) - whatever you like. Can - three liter jar homemade compote.
• Mineral water – 2 bottles 1.5 liters each.

• Tea - package. Perhaps coffee (we made do with regular Ahmad tea);
• Sugar - package lump (refined sugar) or 0.5 kg of regular bulk.

Hercules or semolina- it lies right next to it (you will need a couple of handfuls for cutlets). I took a package of rolled oats, then the owners will cook porridge from the leftovers.

Sweet

• Cake - 1 piece(we had 800 g of honey and sour cream, the most common, similar to homemade).
• Candies - 500 g. I bought by weight, 3 types - Gulliver (cool, big), Mishka (good) and some ordinary ones. You can just have a box or do without candy.

Bread

Take everything in slices, remember that we don’t have time.

• Black or custard - 1 loaf/loaf;
• White bread or loaf – 1 piece.

What dishes were on the table (menu)

• Cutlets (cooked) - 12-14 pieces came out (depending on size);
• French-style meat – 7 pieces;
• Olivier salad - a large salad bowl;
• Pineapple salad with cheese and garlic (prepared) – 1 medium salad bowl;
• Stuffed eggs - 2 plates, Jewish salad of processed cheese with garlic (prepared);
• Sliced ​​meats (2 types of sausage and cheese) – 2 plates;
• Olives and black olives;
• Herring with onions;
• Marinated champignons;
• Mashed potatoes). I made it with olive oil; I didn’t have any butter or sour cream or milk at home. It turned out delicious.
• Cherry tomatoes;
• Korean-style tomatoes (prepared in advance).

Procedure

Stewed cutlets

Boil eggs hard– Boil 9 pieces, the tenth raw one is minced. Post to cold water, bring to a boil, cook for 10-12 minutes. Cool in cold water.

• Prepare minced meat for cutlets: break 1 egg into the minced meat, add rolled oats (1/2 or 2/3 cup), grate a couple of cloves of garlic (fine grater) and 1 onion (coarse grater) into it. Add a pinch of basil. Add salt. Knead. Let it sit while we peel the potatoes - the flakes will swell and absorb excess moisture.
• Lightly salted cucumbers cook and then - peel potatoes(put in water, set to cook 40-50 minutes before guests arrive). Quick preparation of lightly salted cucumbers in slices: wash, cut off the ends. Cut each cucumber in half and cut the rugs into 4 slices. Throw the slices (as they are cut) into a container or jar and add salt on top. Chop a few sprigs of dill and 2-3 cloves of garlic and add to the cucumbers. Close the lid and shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes. Then leave at room temperature until serving (under tightly closed lid). You can shake them periodically (as soon as you remember them, shake them, they will be better salted).

  

  Lightly salted cucumbers

• Fry the cutlets– heat the oil in a frying pan, form cutlets and fry them on both sides until a small crust appears. Fried - place in a pan with a layer of oil at the bottom. When all the cutlets are in the pan, add 2/3 cup of cool water, cover with a lid (or open it slightly if there is no hole in the lid for steam to escape so that the water gradually evaporates) and simmer over low heat until the cutlet smells (30 minutes) . Be careful not to burn.



Eggs stuffed with salad

Stuff eggs– Peel the hard-boiled eggs and cut them into halves. Remove the yolks and mash them with a fork. Add finely grated: processed cheese and 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped onion (1/2 head). Mix. Season with a small amount of mayonnaise. Stuff the eggs with the resulting salad (1 teaspoon per egg). There is no need to compact them, let them be heaped. I decorated with dill and a piece of sweet pepper (yes, we didn’t buy it, I found it in the owner’s refrigerator, but this is not necessary). 4 eggs fit on a dessert plate (7 halves in a circle + 1 in the center), I had 9 (18 halves), the extra one was somehow squeezed in. Before serving, each plate can be placed in a plastic bag (so that the bag on top does not come into contact with the eggs, let air in there). And put in the refrigerator until serving.

• Slice sausage and cheese. I cut the sausage loaf lengthwise into 2 parts and then cut it into thin semicircles across the loaf. You probably cut the same way. Place the slices on plates, put them in bags and also put them in the refrigerator so that the slices do not spoil or become rotten.
• Make a pineapple salad. Place pineapples in a bowl (pieces or cut rings into pieces), grate cheese (hard, like Russian) into it - a coarse grater, garlic (2 cloves) - a fine grater. Closer to serving, stir and season with mayonnaise.

As you go along, you need to set the table - entrust this to someone at home or run around yourself during breaks between cooking. Set the table, cover with a tablecloth, arrange the plates, lay out napkins (place additional ones in the napkin holder), and forks. Place glasses and glasses. Bring drinks to the table. Place the bread on a plate (cover with a napkin or put it in a bag for now).

• Assemble the table: gradually lay out everything ready meals into salad bowls and plates and transfer to the table. You can immediately put bowls of olives and black olives (they won’t spoil); pickled cucumbers and tomatoes; Place the herring in the herring bowl, add the onion cut into semicircles (half of the stuffed eggs is left). Just when the cutlets arrive, the potatoes are cooked (drain the water, add salt, add oil, mash). I also cut lemon for tea (I sprinkled the circles with sugar to make it tastier, but whoever likes it). Remove salads and cold cuts from the refrigerator right before guests arrive to prevent them from spoiling.

All! Bon appetit!

A quick holiday table in a hurry.

Quite often a situation arises when recipes can come in handy quick dishes. Guests are on the doorstep, and you have a lot of things to do and worries, or you have just returned from work. In order to quickly set the table for guests, it is not necessary to spend hours preparing exotic dishes. You can quickly and inexpensively, and most importantly, deliciously set a festive table, and guests will not even believe that it was prepared almost before their arrival. Or you can simply please your family with simple and tasty dishes for the lazy.

The classic set of the festive table is appetizers, salads, main course and dessert.This is the order in which I suggest cooking.

Quick snacks in a hurry

Canapes with boiled pork and cucumber

Ingredients:

• white bread – 10 slices
• boiled pork – 20 pieces
• butter – 100 gr.
• olives – 20 pcs.
• cucumber, dill for decoration

Cut thinly sliced ​​white bread in half diagonally, spread with butter, and arrange the boiled pork beautifully. We put an olive and a cucumber on a skewer and stick it into a slice of bread with boiled pork

Canapes with egg and salmon

Ingredients:

• rye bread – 10 pcs.
• salmon - 10 pcs.
• eggs – 5 pcs.
• butter – 100 gr.
• ½ lemon
• Dill, green onions, black or red caviar for decoration

Cut the black bread into squares, grease with butter and sprinkle with green onions. Place the salmon and sprinkle with a little lemon juice. Place half a boiled egg on top. Decorate with dill and caviar.

Mozzarella with ham

Ingredients:

• strips of smoked ham – 150 gr.
• arugula salad
• a little olive oil and black pepper

We add an arugula leaf to the mozzarella ball and wrap it in a strip of ham. Drizzle a little olive oil on top and sprinkle with black pepper. We pierce the roll with a toothpick and place it on a serving plate.

Tomato appetizer with mozzarella

Ingredients:

• small balls of mozzarella cheese – 150 gr.
• Cherry tomatoes – 250 gr.
• fresh basil
• olive oil – 3 tbsp. l.
• salt and black pepper

Mix olive oil with salt and black pepper. Take the mozzarella balls out of the brine, dry them a little and marinate for 10-15 minutes in olive oil with salt and pepper. We trim the bottom of the tomato a little for stability. Place a tomato, a ball of cheese and a basil leaf on a toothpick.

Simple tomato appetizer

The simplest and quick snack for guests. Cut the tomatoes into slices. Finely chop the garlic and dill. Sprinkle a little lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper and sprinkle with garlic and dill.

Classic of the genre - stuffed eggs

A familiar, simple, quick, but always popular dish. Feed all your guests with this appetizer. Boil the eggs, remove the yolk, and then - freedom for creativity. An incredible number of fillings, I suggest only a few:

• yolk with canned cucumbers, mustard and mayonnaise;
• cheese with yolk and mayonnaise;
• cod liver and yolk (if you have time, you can fry the onion);
• green peas, yolk and mayonnaise;
• liver or goose pate with yolk and a drop of brandy;
• yolk with butter and a piece of salted salmon.

There can be countless fillings; come up with what you have in the refrigerator. The main thing is that the products match each other to taste.

Salads quickly

Salads are very popular on our traditional table. Therefore, despite the lack of time, it is worth offering several recipes to guests. And since we are in a hurry, our salads will be quick and easy to prepare.

Salad “Quickly”

Ingredients:

• cucumber – 2 pcs.
• chicken eggs – 2 pcs.
• half-smoked sausage or ham – 100 gr.
• canned peas – 100 gr.
• cheese – 50 gr.
• mayonnaise

Boil the eggs. While the eggs are boiling and cooling, cut the cucumbers and sausage into strips. Also cut the eggs into strips, mix with cucumbers and ham, add green peas and mayonnaise.

Quick and tasty salad “Exotica”

Ingredients:

• smoked chicken breast – 300 gr.
• canned pineapples – 250 gr.
• apple – 2 pcs.
• mayonnaise
• salt pepper

Cut chicken breast and apple into strips. Cut the pineapples into cubes. Salt, pepper and season with mayonnaise.

Cucumber salad is simple and delicious

This salad takes 5 minutes to prepare, but in order for the cucumbers to cool and marinate a little, you will need to put it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• cucumbers – 2-3 pcs.
• sesame – 2 tbsp. l.
• ¾ cup rice vinegar (can be replaced with any other)
• 3 tbsp. l. Sahara

Three cucumbers on a grater for Korean carrots. If there is no such grater, then simply cut into strips.In a hot frying pan, lightly fry the sesame seeds until brownish.

Mix vinegar with sugar and boil for 5 minutes over medium heat. Pour the resulting marinade over the cucumbers and put the salad in the refrigerator as long as you have patience.

Salad with smoked fish and beans

A delicious salad that is prepared quickly, and there will be no limit to the surprise of your guests.

Ingredients:

• cold smoked fish (I used hake) – 1 pc.
• canned red beans – 250 gr.
• onion - leek to taste
• mayonnaise

We will need to fillet the fish, remove the bones and skin. We cut the fillet into small pieces. Drain the liquid from the red beans and add to the fish. Cut the leeks into rings. Add mayonnaise and mix.

Hot dishes quickly and tasty

It is not at all necessary to spend hours at the stove preparing the main hot dish for the holiday table. There are many simple and quick recipes. You can prepare delicious dishes in just 15 minutes.

For fish lovers, there are excellent recipes with red fish, preferably salmon.

Salmon in caramel crust

A quick and tasty recipe for a hot dish that is suitable for both a holiday table and a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

• salmon fillet – 1 kg.
• honey - 3 tbsp. l.
• apple juice – 1 glass
• salt, pepper to taste
• olive oil

For faster cooking, preheat oven to 200° C. Mix 1 cup apple juice from 3 tbsp. l. honey, bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Cut the salmon into portions and place in a baking dish greased with olive oil.

Bake the fish in the oven for 10 minutes. Then remove the salmon from the oven, add salt and pepper and fry in a frying pan for 2 minutes on each side until a golden brown glazed crust forms. When serving, sprinkle with lemon juice.

Salmon in ginger marinade

This dish is also prepared very quickly, and ginger gives it a specific taste. Moreover, such a fish steak invariably turns out soft and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• salmon fillet – 1 kg.
• ginger root - about 3 - 4 cm.
• sesame – 2 tbsp. l.
• soy sauce – 2 tbsp. l.
• sunflower, olive or sesame oil

Cut salmon or other red fish into pieces. Peel and grate the ginger root. Mix ginger, soy sauce and olive oil sunflower oil(sesame oil is even better). Marinate the fish in this sauce for at least 5 minutes. Roll each piece in sesame seeds. Fry in a hot frying pan for 3-4minutes on each side.

Korean instant pork

15 minutes is enough to cook this delicious meat, which will be a welcome guest on the holiday table.

Ingredients:

• pork (preferably soft neck) – 0.5 kg.
• onions – 2 pcs.
• garlic – 2 cloves
• soy sauce – 4 tbsp. l.
• chili sauce – 2 tsp.
• ginger root – 2 cm.
• green onions – 100 gr.

Cut the pork into thin strips into portions.

Cut the onion into rings, finely chop the garlic. In a frying pan with addedfry pork in olive oil high fire 2 minutes. Then add onion and garlic to the pan, reduce heat and fry for another 5 minutes.

Now add soy sauce, chili sauce, grated ginger and finely chopped green onions to the pan with the meat.Close the lid and simmer for another 2 minutes.

Chicken breast with vegetables Chinese style

And this dish will take even less time, since chicken with soy sauce and ginger cooks instantly, and the end result is soft and juicy.

Ingredients:

• chicken breast – 1 kg.
• soy sauce – 50 ml.
• canned pineapple – 1 can
• sweet pepper – 2 pcs.
• onion- 1 PC.
• sesame – 2 tbsp. l.
• sugar – 1 tbsp. l.
• starch - 1 tbsp. l.

Cut the chicken breast into thin strips and pour soy sauce over it for 5 minutes. Cut the onion into fairly large pieces and also add soy sauce.At this time, cut the canned pineapple into cubes,sweet pepper strips.

Place the breast in a heated frying pan and fry for 5 minutes in olive oil over high heat. Reduce the heat, add chopped vegetables to the chicken, add a little juice from the pineapples and simmer for another 5 minutes. At the end, if desired, you can add starch. To prevent lumps from forming, first dissolve the starch in a small amount of sauce.

Well, now that the main dishes are ready, you can quickly prepare dessert.

Desserts for guests quickly

Tangerines in honey glaze

A very simple and vitamin recipe. Peel the tangerines, place them on a plate and pour liquid honey on top. If the honey has thickened, melt it in a water bath. Sprinkle any nuts on top of the tangerines.

Dessert with mascarpone and cookies

Ingredients:

• mascarpone cheese – 100 gr.
• cream - 50 gr.
• chocolate cookies – 50 gr.
• fresh or frozen fruits

Whip the cream and mix it with the mascarpone. Grind the cookies. Grind fresh fruits with sugar. Pour some of the cookies into glass glasses, place the cheese mixture on top, and then grate the fruit with sugar. Repeat again. again a layer of cookies and cheese mass. Top with grated chocolate, fruit and shaved almonds.

Hot chocolate

Ingredients:

• almond milk (can be replaced with regular milk) – 250 ml.
• dark chocolate – 200 gr.
• cinnamon – 1 tsp.
• ground ginger – 0.5 tsp.
• nutmeg– pinch

Add chopped chocolate to milk. Add cinnamon, ginger, grated nutmeg. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 2 minutes. Check that all the chocolate has melted. Pour hot into small glasses.

So, are you convinced that you can quickly and deliciously set the table before your guests arrive? The main thing is to have it on hand necessary products and recipes.

If you think this article might be useful to your friends and acquaintances, share it on social networks.

Culinary community Li.Ru -

Hot dishes for birthdays

The most popular holiday dish in our area, the recipes of which are known to many housewives, is chicken with potatoes in the oven. I share the good and simple recipe cooking chicken with potatoes with photos.

Hash brown is a popular potato dish in American cuisine that is very simple and easy to prepare. We will need potatoes, butter and onions. We will cook in the oven and on the stove. Go!

A popular and very tasty dish of baked meat with potatoes under a beautiful crust of melted cheese. French-style meat with potatoes is something you should definitely try!

For you - a recipe for chicken Kiev with photos. Chicken Kiev from beaten chicken fillet, wrapped around a piece of butter, fried in boiling oil. I'll tell you how to cook!

The name of this recipe is somewhat arbitrary - French chops are the most ordinary chops, only baked with cheese. It has nothing to do with French cuisine. But the main thing is that it’s delicious!

For me, there is nothing tastier and more filling than a well-cooked meatloaf. Meatloaf is a real celebration of life for lovers of meat and meat products. I’m sharing a proven recipe! :)

Beef goulash is a classic dish of Hungarian cuisine. For me, this is both soup and second. You can’t do without the popular Hungarian paprika. You will also need potatoes, bell peppers, onions and spices.

Chicken tabaka is a popular Georgian dish. It is prepared simply and quite quickly. Fry the chicken with coriander and cumin. Two or three chickens will be enough for a family. You will need a hammer and mortar.

Fragrant, juicy potatoes in cream in the oven can be prepared in portioned pots or a large heat-resistant form - choose the dishes yourself, and it will turn out delicious in any case, I promise!

Another “exotic” dish of poultry and fruit - for those who support unusual culinary solutions. Original recipe cooking chicken breast with pear is also relevant for those who are watching their figure!

Scientists call potatoes a “botanical masterpiece.” This root vegetable is one of the most valuable on earth. There are simply countless options for preparing it, one of them is potato casserole with bacon.

Another unusual fruit and meat dish. The recipe for beef with pear is perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a gala family feast.

Only three ingredients, but what a colorful and tasty dish we get! You can please your family with an unusual dinner, and feel free to display boats on the festive table. I'm sharing the recipe!

I came across an excellent piece of beef just now. It was a pity to cut such meat into pieces. I decided to cook beef, baked in a piece. The beef came out meltingly tender and the spices were baked into a crispy coating.

Chicken with apples is delicious, but chicken with apples and prunes is even tastier! It’s easy to prepare, and the dish turns out amazing - try it! :)

Chicken fillet and bell pepper make a delicious and very beautiful roll. It can be served as a hot dish, cut into a snack or used in making sandwiches.

Chicken legs with apples will amaze you with the combination of the taste of chicken and sour apples flavored with onions. I got this recipe from a friend, and she came up with this dish when she couldn’t buy duck.

French-style meat with tomatoes is an excellent holiday dish for dinner with friends or family members. The meat turns out very juicy and tender, and the dish is aromatic and appetizing.

Here is a simple but very effective recipe for pork in the oven. With this recipe, you can easily prepare a hot dish that you can safely put even on the holiday table.

Tender beef with mushrooms and sour cream served with rice or noodles. The cooking recipe was invented by Count Pavel Alekandrovich Stroganov in 1890 in St. Petersburg.

A properly cooked piece of meat is the best thing you can put on the table. The beef medallion prepared according to this recipe is a dish of exactly this category.

Duck with apples is a classic New Year and Christmas dish in many countries. European countries, especially in Germany and Austria. If you don't know what to cook for the New Year, try this!

Pork zrazy is a great way to prepare pork zrazy. The dish fits perfectly into the harmony of a festive feast - for example, in honor of the New Year. Try it - everyone will be delighted! :)

Turkey drumstick with garlic and rosemary is a trivial dish, but cook it once and you'll be making it over and over again.

Potato Chateau is a very popular side dish of potatoes for meat or fish in France. A wonderful alternative to boring mashed potatoes and fried potatoes :)

Baked Potatoes with Avocado Sauce are a crazy easy vegetarian dish. The potatoes turn out very appetizing and aromatic, and the avocado sauce makes the taste more varied. Try it!

Duck baked with oranges is a very festive and solemn dish that I usually cook on New Year or Christmas. The hostess cooks, the owner cuts it and puts it on everyone’s plate...ah!

Pork loin is quite dry meat, and it is not easy to cook it tasty. I’m sharing a very successful recipe - bone-in pork loin with carrots. A couple of tricks - and the meat turns out very juicy.

The recipe for pork with mushrooms and cheese is a wonderful dish for the New Year's table. Festive serving, tender and juicy meat, magnificent spicy aroma - the dish meets all quality criteria.

Chicken baked with pineapples is an easy to prepare, but very tasty dish that can be prepared for a holiday - New Year or birthday. Effective, unusual and original.

Spicy French potatoes are very in an original way cooked potatoes that will serve as an excellent side dish for any meat, fish or vegetable dish.

Recipe for cooking chicken with tomatoes, sweet peppers and olives in white wine. French cuisine.

Chicken with garlic and thyme is another simple but very effective method delicious baked chicken in the oven. The garlic and thyme marinade makes the chicken very tender and flavorful.

Stuffed eggplants in Armenian is my signature dish, which was taught to me by a professional Armenian chef. The eggplants turn out simply excellent - you'll lick your fingers!

Chicken with peanuts is somewhat unusual for Slavic people, but a very tasty dish of Chinese traditional cuisine. Properly prepared, it is simply doomed to success. It's very easy to prepare!

"French-style meat" from minced chicken

A recipe for a popular meat dish using minced chicken. Essentially, we cook the same meat in French, but instead of chops we use minced chicken. Delicious!

Pork stuffed with dried apricots and onions is a very unusual and original meat dish, which is pork chops with a very juicy and delicious minced meat. Surprise your eaters!

If you don’t know how to cook beef, I recommend paying attention to this recipe. Beef chops with garlic are very soft, tender, with a pleasant garlic taste and aroma. Try it!

Puff cabbage in Transylvanian - a very tasty Romanian national dish, somewhat vaguely reminiscent lazy cabbage rolls. A delicious dish made from simple and affordable ingredients.

Rooster in wine is an exquisite French dish that can be prepared in your home kitchen. As for me, the dish has every right to be called festive - it looks solemn and is very tasty.

Escalopes are lean pieces of boneless meat, fried in a frying pan without breading. It is best to use pork tenderloin. Escalope is prepared from the kidney part, where the meat is especially soft and tender.

If you don’t know what to cook for New Year, I recommend trying it chicken breasts, baked in spices. This is a fairly simple to prepare, but very festive and worthy hot dish.

A simple recipe for chops for fans of fried pork. Step-by-step preparation with photos.

Are you looking for something original for a side dish or an appetizer? Then meet - balls of thread. This chicken dish will not only surprise you with its appearance, but will also delight you with its taste.

I'll tell you how to cook a classic schnitzel - a thin pork chop that is rolled in batter and fried in oil. A wonderful men's lunch or dinner - simple and satisfying.

Breaded pork is a very unusual way of preparing the most trivial pork meat. Thanks to the original breading, the taste of pork is very original and unexpected.

Chicken marinated in kefir with potatoes - great option for quite fast and simple dinner or a lunch made from simple ingredients. No frills, everything is very simple, but delicious.

Lawangi is a delicious chicken dish traditionally prepared in southern regions Azerbaijan. I’m sharing my cooking secrets!

Chicken in an almond crust is another wonderful way to prepare everyone's favorite chicken meat. The almond crust gives the chicken a perfect new taste- try it, you won’t regret it!

I haven’t cooked such a bright, colorful and tasty dish for a long time. stuffed peppers and tomatoes. The ingredients are simple, but the dish is a real masterpiece both visually and in taste :)

Stuffed baked potatoes are a great side dish for meat dish. A very satisfying, attractive and beautiful side dish for some (for example, vegetarians) can become a separate serious dish!

Mackerel with bell pepper - perfect union and a great flavor combination. Before you cook mackerel, remember this instruction and you will get the most excellent dish!

Stew is an excellent solution for those who like to cook dishes in earthenware. Check out this very simple recipe for stew with meat and green beans in a pot.

Zucchini and meat go just great, but I don’t like large pieces of meat with zucchini, so I mix this vegetable with minced meat. The result is a very juicy and tender casserole.

Fried tomatoes are one of my favorite snacks for both everyday and holiday table. It takes no time to prepare, but it turns out very tasty and beautiful.

Found another one interesting way cooking pork meat - pork with bell pepper. The result is a very juicy, aromatic and tender dish.