Recipes for this party plan can be found in At Home Entertaining beginning on page 100 including: Banana Colada, Veggie Salad with Thousand Island Dressing, Dilled Crab Cakes with Arugula Sauce, Spinach and Cheese Soufflé, Vanilla and Chocolate Marble Cake

Double the recipes in this menu plan to create an impromptu gathering for 12. You can assign recipes to pals and have everyone contribute. Ask Joe to bring a double batch of Banana Coladas. Beg Mandy to prepare the veggies for the salad, whip up the dressing and toss it all together when she arrives. You prepare the crab cakes in advance – at least 30 minutes before sautéing and up to the morning before. But, ask Herb to blend the sauce. Impress the crowd by making not 1 but 2 soufflés. Vary the ingredients in the second one. Perhaps in place of spinach and Swiss cheese, you might try chopped broccoli and Cheddar. Request that Virginia bring dessert and offer her the cake recipe. Or, if you have extra time, prepare 2 cakes and layer with a drizzle of chocolate ganache in the center and over the top!

If this party plan turns into a favorite, you might like to try some menu variations. Check out Salmon Cakes with Sauce Remoulade , Ratatouille , and Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

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