Greek Dinner Party

Whenever I've got friends coming over for dinner I try to cook up a dinner party menu they're not expecting, but will still eat. Some of my friends are more adventurous than others when it comes to food, so there's always a struggle to introduce everyone in attendance to something I find delicious and new, but maintain enough balance of familiarity so they're all actually willing to try it.

This Greek dinner party menu is one I often find success with since it's impossible to deny its deliciousness, but it also uses ingredients that aren't overwhelming.

As dinner party host, I love the menu for its easy preparation and bulk shopping list, too. While a few of the recipes may look complicated or intimidating I can assure you, first hand, they're not so scary once you cook 'em up.

The creamy feta dip and pita chips recipe works as a great starter for the evening, preparing guests' palates for a meal filled with feta embellished dinners.

I'd never worked with Fillo dough before and took the plunge with my spinach pie recipe. It turned out to be the biggest hit with all my guests, including me. I could not believe just how easy it was to prepare - it's definitely made it onto my make-ahead staple recipes.

Paired with a classic chicken souvlaki, a Greek salad served over a flat bread makes for a filling, delicious entree that still leaves room for dessert.

I like to end the meal with a watermelon salad to keep with the Mediterranean feel of dinner, but you could easily substitute this with any old dessert you love.

Included in this menu is also a traditional Greek cocktail - but beware - Ouzo is more of an acquired taste and can be a bit strong to first time sippers. Our recipe tones down the more intense flavors for an apertif all first time drinkers will appreciate.