Progressive Dinner Party Ideas

Cocktails and appetizers at one house, dinner at another, dessert down the street–turn entertaining into a social affair.

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Appetizer: Beef Tenderloin Bruschetta with Brown Butter

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Appetizer: Beef Tenderloin Bruschetta with Brown Butter Recipe
Progressive dinners allow everyone to take turns hosting different courses. This menu includes recipes for the appetizer (shown here), salad, soup, entrée, and dessert courses. Read on for the entire menu.

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Salad: Chopped Vegetable Salad

Salad: Chopped Vegetable Salad Recipe
At your second stop of the evening, serve this make-ahead salad. Chopped green pepper, onion, pimiento, corn, green beans, and green peas lend a flavorful and varied taste. Serve in ramekins for an innovative touch.

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Soup: Avocado Soup

Soup: Avocado Soup Recipe
This cool, creamy, and elegant starter can be made-ahead and allows for last-minute serving. Garnish with green onions and keep hot sauce on hand in case your guests tastes run a little spicy.

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Entrée: Brick-Grilled Cornish Hens

Entrée: Brick-Grilled Cornish Hens Recipe
Cornish hens are the perfect centerpiece to this menu. The spice rub and marinade add great flavor, as does grilling. Marinate overnight and grill 40 minutes before guests arrive to your house.

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Dessert: Caramel-Glazed Pear Cake

Dessert: Caramel-Glazed Pear Cake Recipe
Finish off the evening with a slice of moist pear cake and a cup of premium-roasted coffee. Reviewer Jimbolaiya says this recipe "is a perfect 5 stars. I made it three times and each time there are no leftovers. Simply delicious and easy to make."

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Progressive Dinner Party

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Appetizer: Beef Tenderloin Bruschetta with Brown Butter

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