Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian Season 2 Episode 11 European Party

Melissa d'Arabian, the host of Ten Dollar Dinners, is throwing a European party and she's sharing all of her tips and tricks for hosting a budget-friendly yet elegant event. In this season 2 episode titled "European Party," Melissa takes viewers on a journey through some of her favorite European flavors and dishes.

The episode starts with Melissa heading to her local grocery store to stock up on ingredients. She's on a tight budget, but she manages to find everything she needs to create a delicious spread. Her first stop is the cheese section, where she picks up a variety of different cheeses from across Europe. She also grabs some olives, crackers, and other snacks to serve as appetizers.

Next, Melissa heads to the meat section to pick up some chicken thighs for her main dish. She explains that chicken thighs are a great choice for a budget-friendly meal because they're often cheaper than other cuts of meat but still full of flavor. She also grabs some fresh vegetables, including zucchini and tomatoes, to serve as a side dish.

Back at home, Melissa gets to work on her party spread. She starts by creating a cheese board with all of the different cheeses she picked up at the store. She adds some crackers, olives, and grapes to the board to create a variety of different flavors and textures.

Next, Melissa moves on to the main course. She seasons the chicken thighs with a blend of herbs and spices and then sears them in a hot pan. Once the chicken is cooked through, she sets it aside to rest while she makes the side dish. She sautés the zucchini and tomatoes together with some garlic and olive oil to create a simple yet flavorful side dish.

Finally, it's time for dessert. Melissa whips up a batch of homemade biscotti, which she serves with a variety of dipping sauces. She explains that homemade biscotti is easy to make and much cheaper than buying it at the store.

Throughout the episode, Melissa shares her tips for hosting a budget-friendly party. She explains that it's important to focus on simple recipes with a few high-quality ingredients. She also recommends shopping for ingredients at discount grocery stores and buying in bulk to save money.

As the party gets underway, Melissa's guests arrive and enjoy the delicious spread she's created. They talk about the different flavors and dishes, and Melissa shares some of her favorite European travel experiences.

Overall, "European Party" is a great episode for anyone looking to host a budget-friendly yet elegant event. Melissa's recipes are easy to follow and full of flavor, and her tips are helpful for anyone looking to save money while still creating a memorable occasion.