Surprisingly Simple Recipes to Guarantee Impressed Guests

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Now that Christmas and New Year celebrations are over, people are easing back into their regular routines. It’s back to reality—back to the office, to school, or doing housework. However, with 2025 just starting, this also means all occasions and parties are on standby.

For all designated hosts, what guarantees impressed guests? Food.

Without a doubt, food is among the top reasons why people show up at parties. The company might make the time great, but excellent food seals the deal. Luckily, Daggett's of Philadelphia, caterer extraordinaire is generous enough to share these surprisingly simple recipes to make guests full on cloud nine.

Here Are Surprisingly Simple Recipes to Impress

Every host has had this issue. Say they invite 10 people with 10 different preferences; trying to create a single menu to cover everyone’s taste can be pretty overwhelming.

But with Daggett's of Philadelphia, hosts don’t have to worry about organizing the party and breaking their backs trying to piece everything together. As an off-premises caterer, Tony Daggett is extremely capable of handling small-party catering in Philadelphia and nearby areas. His surprisingly simple recipes solve any party-dish woes without breaking the bank.

Whether it’s this or that, Tony Daggett will help impress guests and brand anyone as an excellent host.

Appetizers

Appetizers are the perfect quick and easy meals for hungry guests. Served before main courses, these should be light and filling but not too much.

Prosciutto Wrapped Pears

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Don’t be deceived by the name! This meal is surprisingly simple that seasoned caterers like Tony Daggett may not even need to help.

Ingredients

Red Pears

Prosciutto

Pomegranate

Baby Arugula

Olive Oil

Black Pepper

How to Make It

1. Slice the pears into smaller pieces and the prosciutto in half.

2. Mix the arugula with oil, pomegranate arils, and pepper.

3. Wrap the prosciutto around a bunch of arugula mixture and pear.

4. Sprinkle with pepper and extra pomegranate arils.

Mini Caprese Skewers

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Many surprisingly simple recipes only need a handful of ingredients, and this is one.

Ingredients

Mozzarella balls

Cherry tomatoes

Olive oil

Basil leaves

Balsamic glaze,

Choice of seasonings

How to Make It

1. Whisk olive oil and seasonings of one’s choice.

2. Add in the mozzarella and toss to coat.

3. Skewer the ingredients in the preferred order.

4. Drizzle balsamic glaze over skewers.

Whipped Feta

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Hosts can throw in bread, chips, or veggies as their appetizers, but they can add this whipped feta dip to level things up.

Ingredients

Feta cheese

Cream cheese

Minced garlic

Olive oil

Dried basil

Honey

Pistachios

Black Pepper

How to Make It

1. Whip both cheeses together and add olive oil until well combined and smooth.

2. Add basil and garlic, and blend well.

3. Scoop cheese into a bowl and fill the center well with honey.

4. Garnish the sides with pistachios and black pepper. Hosts can also throw in chives.

Main Course

The main courses may be troublesome, but with these surprisingly simple recipes, caterers like Tony Daggett will finish preparing them within minutes!

Herb-Crusted Salmon with Potatoes and Carrots

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This tender salmon coated in delicious herb crust will be every host’s new favorite, given how easy it is to prepare.

Ingredients

Salmon

Bread crumbs

Parmesan cheese

Unsalted butter

Lemon

Seasonings

Olive oil

Potatoes

Carrots

How to Make It

1. Roast the carrots and potatoes by drizzling them with olive oil and seasonings.

2. Mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley, lemon zest, fresh dill, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

3. Add salmon to the roasted carrots and brush it with melted butter.

4. Bake the salmon while topping it with the herb mixture.

Sheet Pan Chicken Marbella

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This classic crowd-pleaser would be on every “surprisingly simple recipes” list, given how host-friendly it is to prepare.

Ingredients

Pitted green olives

Olive oil

Pitted prunes

Capers

White wine

Oregano

Garlic

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs

Chicken stock

Butter

Brown sugar

How to Make it

1. To make the paste, puree olives, olive oil, prunes, capers, garlic, oregano, wine, salt, and pepper.

2. Coat the chicken.

3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and pour chicken stock and wine into the pan.

4. Top it with more capers, olives, and prunes, and sprinkle salt and brown sugar.

5. Bake for 30mins.

6. Take the chicken off, simmer the drippings, and make a sauce with whisked cold butter.

Garlic Butter Steak

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This restaurant-quality dish will surely make guests remember any host that serves them.

Ingredients

½ cup butter

Minced garlic

2 teaspoons of garlic powder

4 pounds of beef top sirloin steaks (or any preferred steak)

Salt and pepper

How to Make It

1. Preheat the grill and lightly oil the grate.

2. Melt butter and stir in the garlic and garlic powder.

3. Season the steak with salt and pepper.

4. Cook the steak for 4-5 minutes per side or until preferred wellness is achieved.

5. Brush steak with garlic butter.

Troubled Over What to Make When Guests Come Over?

If these surprisingly simple recipes feel a little underwhelming, fête by Tony Daggett still has a lot more dishes ready under his sleeve. The caterer extraordinaire is ready to jump into the scene and help hosts achieve a party to remember.

Make the party an experience with Daggett's of Philadelphia, caterer extraordinaire. Reach Tony Daggett at (609) 381-2345 or visit this website to know more.