Slice, Dice & Dish

Quick note before we dive in: going forward, I won’t normally give you two dinner party menus just a week apart. The flu slowed me down on introducing the first party—and I didn’t want to hold up the Game Night one too. Thanks for your understanding (and flexibility)!

Now… the holidays are behind us—whew! It’s time to relax, have a little fun, and gather around the table again.

This themed dinner party is the perfect excuse to invite close friends (or finally get together with those “we should do this sometime” people) for good food, laughter, and a little friendly competition.

I grew up in Michigan, where the card game of choice is Euchre. I’ll admit it—I never actually learned how to play. But if any of my mitten friends want to teach me, I’ll happily host.

Of course, this dinner party works for any favorite card game: Bridge, Poker, Uno, Rummy… even Cards Against Humanity. The game is just the excuse. The real goal is connection, great food, and plenty of laughs.

Inside this dinner party plan, you’ll find a curated menu with two cocktails, two appetizers, a salad, an entrée with two sides, dessert, and a dessert cocktail. Do I expect you to make everything? Absolutely not. Choose what sounds good, what fits your schedule, and what feels right for you.

Recipes are starting points—not rules. Swap ingredients, adjust flavors, or take a few well-placed shortcuts. After the busy pace of the holidays, consider this your invitation to slow down and enjoy a warm, easy evening with friends.

You’ll also find a flexible hosting timeline, casual styling inspiration, table setups that leave room for cards, recommended tools and serving pieces, and even a printable menu for your guests.

Before you begin, skim the guide and decide what you want to include—and what you’ll happily skip. Easy, easier, and easiest options are included throughout, so you can host in a way that feels comfortable and fun.

Here’s to cards on the table, food worth lingering over, and winter nights done right!

Click here to download your eCookbook HERE.

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

There are some recipes that aren’t just about feeding people—they’re about taking care of them. This is one of those dishes.

I turn to these Asparagus, Ham & Swiss Mini Quiches whenever a friend is under the weather, overwhelmed, or simply going through a hard season. They’re warm, comforting, and practical in a way that feels deeply thoughtful. When your mind is in a million places, having something ready-to-go in the freezer can be an enormous relief.

These mini quiches are the kind of food that says, “You don’t have to think about this right now—I’ve got you.”

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💛 Why This Is Such a Meaningful Make-Ahead

✨ They freeze beautifully.
Pull one out when you need it, reheat, and suddenly a meal is handled.

✨ They’re perfectly portioned.
Small, manageable servings feel less overwhelming when appetite is low or energy is limited.

✨ They’re nourishing and familiar.
The combination of eggs, ham, Swiss cheese, and asparagus is comforting without being heavy.

✨ They’re practical to gift.
I use disposable mini pie pans, which makes baking, transporting, and serving easy—and removes the pressure of returning dishes.

✨ They show care without asking for anything in return.
No cleanup. No obligation. Just something helpful, waiting when it’s needed.

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🥂 Not Just for Tough Times

While this is my go-to “thinking of you” dish, it’s also wonderful for:

• Breakfast-for-dinner nights
• Brunch with friends
• Stocking your own freezer for busy weeks
• Hosting with minimal effort

It’s simple, versatile, and quietly generous—exactly the kind of recipe that earns a permanent place in your rotation.

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🥧 Asparagus, Ham & Swiss Mini Quiche

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting (can also use 1:1 gluten free flour)
1 egg white
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
1-2 tablespoons cold water
7 eggs
3/4 cup milk (can also use oat milk)
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
8 ounces asparagus, woody stems snapped off and cut into 2-inch pieces
8 ounces deli ham, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
4 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded

1. Heat the oven to 350˚F.
2. Place the flour, egg white and butter in a food processor fitted with the multi-purpose blade. Pulse into coarse crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together into a ball.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly-floured mat and roll 1/8-inch thick. Cut out six 6-inch rounds and place into the pie pans. Prick the bottom with a fork, then transfer to the freezer to chill while you prepare the filling.
4. Set a small skillet filled with 2 cups water over medium-high heat. Heat to simmering, then add the asparagus and cook 2 minutes, then drain.
5. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and seasoning mix and set aside.
6. Remove the crusts from the freezer and set on a sheet pan. Sprinkle the ham over the bottom of each. Top with half of the cheese, then the asparagus. Pour the custard into the crusts just enough to cover the ham, cheese and asparagus filling. Top with the remaining cheese.
7. Place the mini quiches in the oven and bake 25-30 minutes or until set and golden. Remove from the oven and cool completely before covering with foil for transport.

Makes 6

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✅ Easy, Easier, Easiest Options:

✨ Easy: Use a refrigerated pie crust instead of making your own. It saves time and no one will know the difference.

✨ Easier: Make it vegetarian and use frozen, pre-cut vegetables. I love frozen bell peppers and onions or a broccoli medley—they’re convenient and always ready when you need them.

✨ Easiest: Purchase a premade quiche, portion it into individual servings, and wrap each piece separately. Remember: it never has to be homemade. It just needs to be easy and comforting for the person receiving it.

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✨ Stay Connected & Keep Hosting (and Caring)

✨ Subscribe so you don’t miss more real-world entertaining tips and weekly recipes.
✨ Upgrade to paid so you won’t miss out on any of the fun dinner parties I’ve planned for you.
✨ Forward this email to a friend who always shows up for others (or could use a little comfort themselves)—they’ll appreciate this one.
✨ Follow along for easy menus, décor ideas, and ways to make every gathering feel special, joyful, and authentic.
✨ Shop my kitchen here: SHOP
✨ Grab what you need at a discount: HOST
✨ Earn some extra income while you’re at it: SELL
✨ Watch what I’m making for dinner every day on Instagram
✨ Join my Slice, Dice & Dish Community on Facebook

Here’s to food that comforts, supports, and quietly says “I’m here”

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

When I really started sharing this passion project—creating dinner party menus and plans—I received two kinds of feedback.

One sounded like this:
“This is amazing. I can’t wait to read more.”

The other sounded like this:
“Hosting a dinner party would never work for me.”

Whenever I heard the second response, I always asked the same question:
“Tell me more—why not?”

The answers were honest, familiar, and very human. So today, let’s talk about the most common reasons people think they can’t host—and why I truly believe you can (and should at least try).

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1. “I Can’t Cook.”

Is that really true—or is it the easiest way out?

If cooking isn’t your strength, I’ve got you covered. Every recipe in my dinner party guides includes easy, easier, and easiest options, so you can match the effort to your comfort level.

And here’s a spoiler alert worth repeating:
You do not have to make everything yourself.

Great hosting isn’t about proving culinary skills. It’s about feeding people well—however that happens.

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2. “My House Isn’t Guest-Clean.”

Translation: it’s clean… but not guest-clean. And guest-clean means dealing with piles you’ve been ignoring since 2019.

Let me burn these two truths into your memory:

1. No one is coming over to see how clean your house is.
2. You only need to clean the rooms your guests will use.

That’s it.
The room where you’re eating and the bathroom they’ll use. Everything else? Close the door. No one should be wandering into other rooms anyway.

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3. “I Have Kids.”

Honestly? That’s even more reason to host!

Kids can help—and learn—so much from being part of it:

• Setting the table
• Making place cards
• Tidying up
• Helping with simple prep

I’ll also be sharing ideas for keeping kids happily occupied while dinner is happening so you can actually enjoy yourself.

And one more thing:
Watching and helping my parents host dinner parties was my education. It’s how I learned everything I’m sharing with you now.

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4. “I Have Dietary Needs.”

This one truly surprises me—because it’s actually the BEST reason to host!

As someone who’s gluten-free, I’ve been to plenty of parties and restaurants where my options were limited (or awkward). When you host, you control the menu. You make food you can eat—and enjoy.

Worried about others being “subjected” to your dietary needs?
Remember: this is not the only meal they’re having that day.

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5. “Small Talk for Three Hours Is Exhausting.”

You love people.
From a safe distance.
On your couch.
In pajamas.

I get it.

That’s exactly why I include dinner + activity parties in my monthly plans. Sometimes a little structure—a movie, a game, a shared activity—takes the pressure off constant conversation.

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🥂 The Big Truth

You don’t need:

• A perfect house
• Advanced cooking skills
• Endless energy
• A reason “big enough”

You just need a table and the willingness to try. I’m giving you the plan.

And, of course, I’ll be right here, helping you every step of the way.

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✨ Stay Connected & Keep Going

✨ Subscribe so you don’t miss more real-world entertaining tips and weekly recipes.
✨ Upgrade to paid so you won’t miss out on any of the fun dinner parties I’ve planned for you.
✨ Forward this email to a friend who keeps saying “we should have people over sometime”—they’ll appreciate this one.
✨ Follow along for easy menus, décor ideas, and ways to make every gathering feel special, joyful, and authentic.
✨ Shop my kitchen here: SHOP
✨ Grab what you need at a discount: HOST
✨ Earn some extra income while you’re at it: SELL
✨ Watch what I’m making for dinner every day on Instagram
✨ Join my Slice, Dice & Dish Community on Facebook

Here’s to trying once, learning as you go, and realizing you’re more capable than you thought

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

There’s a quote I recently read about entertaining at home that hasn’t left me: “So many restaurants are working hard to recreate the atmosphere of a perfect dinner at home with friends—while home cooks are aspiring to create a restaurant experience at home.”

It perfectly captures the tension many of us feel when we host. We want something special… but not stressful. Elevated, but still comfortable. Memorable, without being overwhelming.

That idea became the foundation for Cozy Winter Comforts, my January dinner party guide—attached here.

January feels like the right time to slow down. The holidays are behind us, the calendar is quieter, and there’s space to gather without the rush. When I started putting this guide together, my goal was simple: to recreate the feeling of a great night out—cocktails, shared plates, a beautiful meal—while keeping the warmth and ease of being at home.

Just like dining out, this guide isn’t about doing everything. It’s about choosing what sounds good, what fits your schedule, and what feels right for you.

Inside Cozy Winter Comforts, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated winter menu, along with styling inspiration, a general hosting timeline, kitchen and serving suggestions, and recipes designed to flex with your comfort level. Every recipe includes built-in shortcuts, and every section is meant to support you—not pressure you.

Consider this your invitation to gather your people, light a few candles, and enjoy a cozy meal that feels special because it’s shared.

I hope you’ll download the guide, make it your own, and use as much—or as little—of it as you’d like. And as always, if you have questions or want help tailoring it to your space, your guests, or your time, I’m just a message away.

Download your menu HERE!

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

Some dishes instantly feel special—and these Crusty Crab Cakes with Lemon-Butter Sauce are one of them.

This is the kind of recipe that reminds you why simple, high-quality ingredients matter. When you start with the best lump crab you can find (look in the fresh seafood case, not the aisle), you don’t need to do much to it. The crab stays tender and sweet, the exterior gets beautifully crisp, and every bite tastes fresh, bright, and indulgent in the best way.

The lemon-butter sauce ties it all together—rich but balanced, buttery but lifted with citrus. Add fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, and suddenly you’re eating something that feels straight off a coastal restaurant menu… without leaving home.

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🍋 Why You’ll Love Making These

✨ They feel fancy—but they’re approachable.
Perfect for entertaining without feeling fussy or intimidating.

✨ They’re incredibly versatile.
This recipe makes four generous crab cakes, but it easily adapts:

• Split into eight medium portions for a dinner party
• Or twelve smaller cakes for a passed appetizer

✨ They’re a crowd-pleaser.
Even people who claim they’re “not into seafood” tend to fall hard for these.

✨ They’re memorable.
This is the kind of dish guests talk about the next day—and ask for the recipe.

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🥂 How I Like to Serve Them

These crab cakes work beautifully as:

• A light main course with a simple salad
• A standout appetizer for a special gathering
• The star of a coastal-inspired dinner party

However you serve them, they instantly elevate the meal and signal that something thoughtful and delicious is happening at the table.

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🦀 Crusty Crab Cakes with Lemon-Butter Sauce (GF)

Crab Cakes:
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 lemon, divided
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Lemon-Butter Sauce:
1/2 cup dry white wine
juice of 1 lemon
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces

1. For the crab cakes, zest the lemon. Combine the crabmeat, almond flour, mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, lemon zest, black pepper and eggs in a medium bowl, mixing gently. Divide the mixture into four equal patties. Place the patties on a cutting board and place in the freezer while preparing the sauce.
2. For the lemon-butter sauce, combine the wine, juice from the lemon, and shallot in a small sauté pan. Simmer over medium-high heat 4-5 minutes or until most of the liquid is evaporated. Season with the salt. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Add the butter pieces, one at a time, whisking after each addition until the butter is completely incorporated. Spoon the sauce onto plates and top with the crab cakes.
3. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until hot. Add the crab cakes. Cook 4-6 minutes or until both sides are deep golden brown and crisp, turning once. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
4. To serve, place a spoonful of the lemon-butter sauce on a serving plate and top with a crab cake.

Makes 4 crab cakes

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✅ Easy, Easier, Easiest Options:

✨ Easy: Skip making the lemon butter sauce and serve the crab cakes with bottled lemon butter sauce.

✨ Easier: Purchase frozen or premade crab cake and serve with the lemon-butter sauce.

✨ Easiest: Purchase frozen or premade crab cakes (check the seafood case at your grocery store) and serve with bottled lemon butter sauce.

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✨ Stay Connected & Keep Hosting

✨ Subscribe so you don’t miss more real-world entertaining tips and weekly recipes.
✨ Upgrade to paid so you won’t miss out on any of the fun dinner parties I’ve planned for you.
✨ Forward this email to a friend who loves seafood or dreams of cooking restaurant-quality meals at home—they’ll appreciate this one.
✨ Follow along for easy menus, décor ideas, and ways to make every gathering feel special, joyful, and authentic.
✨ Shop my kitchen here: SHOP
✨ Grab what you need at a discount: HOST
✨ Earn some extra income while you’re at it: SELL
✨ Watch what I’m making for dinner every day on Instagram
✨ Join my Slice, Dice & Dish Community on Facebook

Here’s to crispy edges, bright lemon, and dishes that feel like a treat

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

Candles are one of the easiest ways to instantly elevate a dinner party. They add warmth, intimacy, and that soft glow that makes everyone look and feel their best.

But let’s be honest:
Yes, candles set the mood.
Yes, they require a little planning.
And yes—it’s very easy to overthink them.

As with so many parts of entertaining, the best approach is simple. Here are a few easy, stress-free rules to help you get candlelight right every time.

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✨ Dinner Party Candle Guidelines

• Start with fresh candles.
  Nothing kills the mood faster than candles burning out halfway through the evening.
• Clean out old wax ahead of time.
  Do this a few days before your party. Old wax can be stubborn, and what you think will take five minutes… often doesn’t.
• Group votives on a tray.
  Light them all at once, then place them around the room. It’s faster, cleaner, and looks more intentional.
• Invest in a stick lighter.
  They’re practical, efficient, and save your fingers from burns.
• Never use scented candles.
  Scents compete with food—and not in a good way. Even “light” fragrances can distract or clash with what you’re serving.
• Watch the height of taper candles.
  If guests have to lean side-to-side to see each other, the candles are too tall.
• Flameless candles are fair game.
  They’ve come a long way and can look surprisingly realistic. Remember: it’s about the ambiance, not the flame itself.

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🥂 The Takeaway

Candles should enhance the experience—not add stress. When done thoughtfully, they fade into the background and quietly do their job: creating warmth, comfort, and connection around the table.

If you’re worrying about them, you’re probably doing too much.

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✨ Stay Connected & Inspired

✨ Subscribe so you don’t miss more real-world entertaining tips and weekly recipes.
✨ Upgrade to paid so you won’t miss out on any of the fun dinner parties I’ve planned for you.
✨ Forward this email to a friend who loves a beautifully set table—they’ll appreciate this one.
✨ Follow along for easy menus, décor ideas, and ways to make every gathering feel special, joyful, and authentic.
✨ Shop my kitchen here: SHOP
✨ Grab what you need at a discount: HOST
✨ Earn some extra income while you’re at it: SELL
✨ Watch what I’m making for dinner every day on Instagram
✨ Join my Slice, Dice & Dish Community on Facebook

Here’s to warm light, good food, and effortless ambiance
Cheers,
Colleen 🥂