Spring Dinner Party Ideas Slideshow

White Wine Sangria

Before serving dinner, invite everyone into the living room for drinks. Instead of offering red wine, stay festive and make white wine sangria. This fresh and sweet drink will be sure to liven the mood.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups assorted fruits: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and pineapple
• 1 cup mint leaves
• 2 cups ginger ale
• 1 bottle white wine (we recommend a pinot grigio)
• Ice

Instead of serving a fatty side like rice or potatoes, offer this second salad. The fine green beans mixed with the strawberries go great with the sangria and will keep the meal healthy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fine green beans
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2-3 tablespoons pistachios
• 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves
• 1 pound feta cheese (drained weight)
• Pinch of pepper

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil 

You can't host a spring dinner party without serving asparagus. This green vegetable pretty much defines this wonderful season. As we're trying to stick with a healthy theme, a nice crisp salad with fresh asparagus and tomatoes should be a savory choice.

Ingredients:

• 8 asparagus spears
• 1 handful corn
• 1 handful arugula or mizuna leaves
• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 12 black olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon toasted pines

Dressing:

• 1 teaspoon lemon oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Steam asparagus spears for 8 minutes, or until tender. Rinse under cold water once tender and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Arrange the corn salad and arugula around a salad platter, so as to make them the base of the salad. Then, put the tomatoes over the asparagus. Finally, sprinkle the black olives and pine nuts over the top of the salad.

This is an easy way to finish off your spring dinner. The peanut butter is a great source of protein and mixed with the yogurt, it tastes oh, so good. While a cake is good and traditional, it usually means you'll be having it for breakfast the next day. Serving yogurt parfaits will have everyone scraping their cups for more.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter spread
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup crunchy granola cereal
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 cup sliced strawberries

 Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, yogurt, and honey. Put equal amounts into 4 parfait glasses. Sprinkle granola cereal on the top. Add the sliced bananas and strawberries.

In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, yogurt, and honey. Put equal amounts into 4 parfait glasses. Sprinkle granola cereal on the top. Add the sliced bananas and strawberries.