It’s Saturday afternoon, and you’re nearing lunchtime on a sunny but cool, winter’s day. You’ve been slaving at your desk all week, and you’re in the mood for some company. You get on the phone with a friend, whom you haven’t seen in what feels like ages, and “What are you doing for lunch later?” you ask. She suggests a restaurant. You say, “Forget it, come on over. Bring a great bottle of red wine and I’ll cook my famous meatloaf and macaroni and cheese.”

There’s nothing as enjoyable as an impromptu home-cooked meal with just one, or even a handful of friends. But to pull it off it’s absolutely essential to have several reliable, easy, tasty dishes up your sleeve. A repertoire you can whip up easily, and these recipes are simple, unpretentious, and unexpected. They’re quick-and-easy versions of several classics—with a sexy edge.

Since I hadn’t really been planning to have anyone over, and I didn’t have any fresh flowers in the house, I and was at a loss as what to do for my table. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a gorgeous deep red cloth that had been given to me by a friend years ago that was stored away for later use, and now was just the time. Once I knew what cloth I’d be using, I began to assemble a selection of candles to use as part of my centerpiece. I love thick, square box candles as they’re inexpensive, widely available, and they burn for hours. They also provide beautiful color accents and sculptural elements for any table arrangement. I try to think graphically when I’m arranging a tabletop and so I placed the candles in a wooden tray. Between them I placed glass containers filled with vibrant green moss that was on my windowsill from a few parties past. I also placed a couple of sapling trees in terracotta pots on the tray. By the time I was finished, it looked like a miniature Japanese garden.

The menu was easy to prepare; mixed asparagus with vinaigrette to start, followed by a homemade meatloaf with mushroom gravy, and a decadently rich macaroni and cheese. And for dessert we spoiled ourselves with a chocolate brownie from my favorite bakery down the road, embellished with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Menu

Mixed Asparagus with Vinaigrette
Homemade Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy
Sautéed Green Beans
Macaroni and Cheese
Triple Chocolate Delight