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Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Yahoo4 hours ago

Milwaukee Public Schools celebrated 13 soon-to-be Montessori teachers with a graduation ceremony at Hoyt Park June 6, after the cohort finished a unique MPS-sponsored training program intended to fill vacancies.
For 18 months, the 2025 Montessori elementary credentialing cohort spent their evenings and weekends taking classes to receive certification for teaching grades 1-6 with hands-on materials. Shortly before the June 6 ceremony, they went through a final examination process.
"A lot of us are mothers of young children and working full-time in schools, and it's so rewarding to have done something this hard and be here today despite all that," said Katie Mullen, a paraprofessional at MacDowell Montessori School who will be teaching at Maryland Avenue Montessori School next year.
Lauren Schweiger, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin School, said Montessori training was one of the most difficult things she's ever done.
"It's been a challenge, but also refreshing," Schweiger said. "It was fun getting to know all our classmates."
In order to be licensed to teach in a Montessori school, teachers need special credentialing from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education or Association Montessori Internationale, known as AMI. There are specific accredited learning centers where teachers can go to obtain the training.
The 2025 cohort of MPS candidates received training from the AMI-approved Montessori Training Center Northeast in Connecticut.
"We don't have one here in Milwaukee. It closed a couple years ago, which is a huge problem when you have the largest public Montessori system in the world," MPS Montessori Coordinator Abigail Rausch said. "We have a teacher shortage in general, but then finding people who have this particular certification is an extra burden."
So, MPS Montessori developed a partnership with MTCNE. In November 2023, credentialing classrooms for MPS Montessori teachers opened in Grant Gordon Learning Center in Milwaukee, with professors from the Connecticut center helping the 2025 cohort earn their Montessori license.
The district pays program tuition with a three-year commitment to MPS Montessori. The Milwaukee School Board approved a contract in 2023 to pay up to $300,000 for the 18-month course for up to 20 MPS employees.
MPS Montessori is currently looking for MPS staff members with bachelor's degrees who are interested in becoming Montessori educators. More information can be found at mpsmke.com/montessori.
Over a century ago, Italian pediatrician Maria Montessori developed an education system that allowed children to grow their skills through hands-on learning. In a Montessori classroom, children work with specially designed materials that teach one concept at a time. This introduces children to skills like independent work and interpersonal dynamics.
Mullen was drawn to Montessori education because of how it's rooted in peace activism and self-direction, she said.
"It's about the interconnection of all things on Earth — not just people — but plants and animals, and it's such a creative method of teaching that really stimulates independence in kids," Mullen said.
MPS offers the largest cluster of public Montessori schools in the U.S. with eight locations enrolling more than 4,000 students annually, according to MPS. Also according to the district, MacDowell Montessori is the nation's only public K–12 Montessori school and Riley Dual Language Montessori School is the region's only public English/Spanish Montessori program.
Rausch said while most Montessori school are private and expensive, MPS has been offering free district-wide Montessori education for for 51 years.
"Montessori is something that MPS does very well," Rausch said. "We're able to continue to invest in our children by investing in future Montessori teachers."
Despite MPS having the largest public Montessori system in the nation, Rausch said there is a staffing crisis partially because of how difficult the Montessori credentialing process is. Still, MPS is providing access to a different type of education that a number of families wouldn't normally be able to afford, Rausch said.
MPS has been home to public Montessori programs for over five decades.
1973: The MPS Early Childhood Program launched four Montessori pre-kindergarten programs, which were the first public Montessori schools in Wisconsin and some of the first in the nation.
1978: MacDowell Montessori school was established after MPS was ordered to desegregate in 1976. The school began as a magnet program to help the district achieve racial integration.
2006: MPS' Montessori high school opened. MacDowell Montessori is the only public K-12 school of its kind in the nation, and the high school program was featured in the documentary "Inside Montessori."
2018: The Milwaukee Board of School Directors passed a resolution to create a long-term Montessori Strategic Plan, which was later revised in 2022.
2023: MPS celebrated its 50th anniversary of offering public Montessori education.
Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

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Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay
Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Milwaukee Public Schools celebrated 13 soon-to-be Montessori teachers with a graduation ceremony at Hoyt Park June 6, after the cohort finished a unique MPS-sponsored training program intended to fill vacancies. For 18 months, the 2025 Montessori elementary credentialing cohort spent their evenings and weekends taking classes to receive certification for teaching grades 1-6 with hands-on materials. Shortly before the June 6 ceremony, they went through a final examination process. "A lot of us are mothers of young children and working full-time in schools, and it's so rewarding to have done something this hard and be here today despite all that," said Katie Mullen, a paraprofessional at MacDowell Montessori School who will be teaching at Maryland Avenue Montessori School next year. Lauren Schweiger, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin School, said Montessori training was one of the most difficult things she's ever done. "It's been a challenge, but also refreshing," Schweiger said. "It was fun getting to know all our classmates." In order to be licensed to teach in a Montessori school, teachers need special credentialing from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education or Association Montessori Internationale, known as AMI. There are specific accredited learning centers where teachers can go to obtain the training. The 2025 cohort of MPS candidates received training from the AMI-approved Montessori Training Center Northeast in Connecticut. "We don't have one here in Milwaukee. It closed a couple years ago, which is a huge problem when you have the largest public Montessori system in the world," MPS Montessori Coordinator Abigail Rausch said. "We have a teacher shortage in general, but then finding people who have this particular certification is an extra burden." So, MPS Montessori developed a partnership with MTCNE. In November 2023, credentialing classrooms for MPS Montessori teachers opened in Grant Gordon Learning Center in Milwaukee, with professors from the Connecticut center helping the 2025 cohort earn their Montessori license. The district pays program tuition with a three-year commitment to MPS Montessori. The Milwaukee School Board approved a contract in 2023 to pay up to $300,000 for the 18-month course for up to 20 MPS employees. MPS Montessori is currently looking for MPS staff members with bachelor's degrees who are interested in becoming Montessori educators. More information can be found at Over a century ago, Italian pediatrician Maria Montessori developed an education system that allowed children to grow their skills through hands-on learning. In a Montessori classroom, children work with specially designed materials that teach one concept at a time. This introduces children to skills like independent work and interpersonal dynamics. Mullen was drawn to Montessori education because of how it's rooted in peace activism and self-direction, she said. "It's about the interconnection of all things on Earth — not just people — but plants and animals, and it's such a creative method of teaching that really stimulates independence in kids," Mullen said. MPS offers the largest cluster of public Montessori schools in the U.S. with eight locations enrolling more than 4,000 students annually, according to MPS. Also according to the district, MacDowell Montessori is the nation's only public K–12 Montessori school and Riley Dual Language Montessori School is the region's only public English/Spanish Montessori program. Rausch said while most Montessori school are private and expensive, MPS has been offering free district-wide Montessori education for for 51 years. "Montessori is something that MPS does very well," Rausch said. "We're able to continue to invest in our children by investing in future Montessori teachers." Despite MPS having the largest public Montessori system in the nation, Rausch said there is a staffing crisis partially because of how difficult the Montessori credentialing process is. Still, MPS is providing access to a different type of education that a number of families wouldn't normally be able to afford, Rausch said. MPS has been home to public Montessori programs for over five decades. 1973: The MPS Early Childhood Program launched four Montessori pre-kindergarten programs, which were the first public Montessori schools in Wisconsin and some of the first in the nation. 1978: MacDowell Montessori school was established after MPS was ordered to desegregate in 1976. The school began as a magnet program to help the district achieve racial integration. 2006: MPS' Montessori high school opened. MacDowell Montessori is the only public K-12 school of its kind in the nation, and the high school program was featured in the documentary "Inside Montessori." 2018: The Milwaukee Board of School Directors passed a resolution to create a long-term Montessori Strategic Plan, which was later revised in 2022. 2023: MPS celebrated its 50th anniversary of offering public Montessori education. Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay
Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Short on teachers, MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

Milwaukee Public Schools celebrated 13 soon-to-be Montessori teachers with a graduation ceremony at Hoyt Park June 6, after the cohort finished a unique MPS-sponsored training program intended to fill vacancies. For 18 months, the 2025 Montessori elementary credentialing cohort spent their evenings and weekends taking classes to receive certification for teaching grades 1-6 with hands-on materials. Shortly before the June 6 ceremony, they went through a final examination process. "A lot of us are mothers of young children and working full-time in schools, and it's so rewarding to have done something this hard and be here today despite all that," said Katie Mullen, a paraprofessional at MacDowell Montessori School who will be teaching at Maryland Avenue Montessori School next year. Lauren Schweiger, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin School, said Montessori training was one of the most difficult things she's ever done. "It's been a challenge, but also refreshing," Schweiger said. "It was fun getting to know all our classmates." In order to be licensed to teach in a Montessori school, teachers need special credentialing from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education or Association Montessori Internationale, known as AMI. There are specific accredited learning centers where teachers can go to obtain the training. The 2025 cohort of MPS candidates received training from the AMI-approved Montessori Training Center Northeast in Connecticut. "We don't have one here in Milwaukee. It closed a couple years ago, which is a huge problem when you have the largest public Montessori system in the world," MPS Montessori Coordinator Abigail Rausch said. "We have a teacher shortage in general, but then finding people who have this particular certification is an extra burden." So, MPS Montessori developed a partnership with MTCNE. In November 2023, credentialing classrooms for MPS Montessori teachers opened in Grant Gordon Learning Center in Milwaukee, with professors from the Connecticut center helping the 2025 cohort earn their Montessori license. The district pays program tuition with a three-year commitment to MPS Montessori. The Milwaukee School Board approved a contract in 2023 to pay up to $300,000 for the 18-month course for up to 20 MPS employees. MPS Montessori is currently looking for MPS staff members with bachelor's degrees who are interested in becoming Montessori educators. More information can be found at Over a century ago, Italian pediatrician Maria Montessori developed an education system that allowed children to grow their skills through hands-on learning. In a Montessori classroom, children work with specially designed materials that teach one concept at a time. This introduces children to skills like independent work and interpersonal dynamics. Mullen was drawn to Montessori education because of how it's rooted in peace activism and self-direction, she said. "It's about the interconnection of all things on Earth — not just people — but plants and animals, and it's such a creative method of teaching that really stimulates independence in kids," Mullen said. MPS offers the largest cluster of public Montessori schools in the U.S. with eight locations enrolling more than 4,000 students annually, according to MPS. Also according to the district, MacDowell Montessori is the nation's only public K–12 Montessori school and Riley Dual Language Montessori School is the region's only public English/Spanish Montessori program. Rausch said while most Montessori school are private and expensive, MPS has been offering free district-wide Montessori education for for 51 years. "Montessori is something that MPS does very well," Rausch said. "We're able to continue to invest in our children by investing in future Montessori teachers." Despite MPS having the largest public Montessori system in the nation, Rausch said there is a staffing crisis partially because of how difficult the Montessori credentialing process is. Still, MPS is providing access to a different type of education that a number of families wouldn't normally be able to afford, Rausch said. MPS has been home to public Montessori programs for over five decades. 1973: The MPS Early Childhood Program launched four Montessori pre-kindergarten programs, which were the first public Montessori schools in Wisconsin and some of the first in the nation. 1978: MacDowell Montessori school was established after MPS was ordered to desegregate in 1976. The school began as a magnet program to help the district achieve racial integration. 2006: MPS' Montessori high school opened. MacDowell Montessori is the only public K-12 school of its kind in the nation, and the high school program was featured in the documentary "Inside Montessori." 2018: The Milwaukee Board of School Directors passed a resolution to create a long-term Montessori Strategic Plan, which was later revised in 2022. 2023: MPS celebrated its 50th anniversary of offering public Montessori education. Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS sponsors Montessori training for 13 staff who promise to stay

34 Easy Dinner Party Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining
34 Easy Dinner Party Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining

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time9 hours ago

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34 Easy Dinner Party Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining

I love hosting my friends and family for dinner parties. No, really. There's nothing better than seeing my loved ones gathered around a table full of food, chatting and eating. What I don't necessarily love is the stress that comes along with it (planning menus, shopping for ingredients, spending the whole day cooking—you know the drill) and the last-minute push to get everything done when I'd rather be hanging out with my guests. Luckily, I've honed my hosting technique over the years. My secret to success? Crowd-pleasing dishes that look super impressive, but are actually so simple to pull off. Think jambalaya, an Italian bruschetta bar, easy one-pan ratatouille and all the lightning-fast pastas, for starters. Here are 34 easy dinner party recipes to try for yourself that fit the bill. 40 Fancy Appetizers That Are Secretly Really Easy to Make Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Katherine Gillen Time Commitment: 1 hour Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy Serves: 4 to 6 Can I let you in on a secret? Spatchcocking your chicken—basically, removing the backbone—will yield evenly cooked results in far less time than if you roasted it like usual. "By doing so (easily, with kitchen shears), you can split and flatten the entire thing, which speeds up the cooking time and increases the surface area for more browned, crispy skin," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains. "I like to pair it with peppery radishes and creamy roasted potatoes, but any vegetable will work." Get the recipe Katherine Gillen Time Commitment: 6 hours and 45 minutes Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser Serves: 8 Who knew your slow cooker could make such an elegant main course? "When I've made this sauce in the past, I've been able to freeze a quart of it for later, so it can easily serve at least eight people," Gillen writes. "It's a set-it-and-forget-it number that tastes rich and hearty without much effort on your end." Use a long, flat pasta (like pappardelle) for an elegant presentation and so the noodles can get fully coated in the sauce. Get the recipe Katherine Gillen Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes (includes chilling time) Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly Serves: 8 "I know it's really tempting to use store-bought pie dough, but I promise the ounce of extra effort it takes to make your own is worth it," Gillen urges. "You'll be rewarded with an ultra-buttery, flaky crust that will impress your guests to next year (or at least the next dinner party). The tomatoes don't even have to be in season because the oven will concentrate their flavor." Get the recipe Katherine Gillen Time Commitment: 30 minutes Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, kid-friendly Serves: 4 Store-bought pizza dough and a cast iron skillet are the keys to making a homemade pizza party entirely stress-free. "My favorite topping combination is sausage and fennel because their flavors are complementary, but you could put anything on this pie and it would be good," Gillen claims. "Just make sure you cook any vegetables beforehand so they don't make the crust soggy." Get the recipe Katherine Gillen Time Commitment: 15 minutes Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, no cook Serves: 4 to 6 Take it from me: A charcuterie board can totally count as an entree if you make it big enough. And what better way to take the pressure off entertaining than to indulge in a gorgeous, no-cook spread? "You can follow the recipe to a T or just use my suggested cheese selection as a jumping-off point," Gillen says. "I think all boards are best with a creamy cheese, a semisoft cheese and a blue cheese, but anything goes." Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 1 hour Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser Serves: 6 When it comes to dinner parties, we all want something that looks like it took all day but really took 30-ish minutes. To streamline the process, this take on paella features fewer types of seafood than the original, but doesn't skimp on flavor. (Bonus: Because it's made in one pan, you won't be left with a pile of dirty cookware when all the guests go home.) Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 1 hour Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead Serves: 6 This elegant DIY bruschetta bar looks like it came from a fancy caterer. But really, it's just a matter of buying the right essentials—like cornichons, marinated artichoke hearts, pesto and charcuterie—and a little artful arrangement. Most importantly, you won't need to do any "cooking," besides toasting the bread. Get the recipe Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes Why I Love It: vegan, one pan, special occasion-worthy Serves: 4 If a cartoon rodent can make this dish look fancy, so can you. With summer squash, tomatoes and eggplant in the mix (and no cheese), it's totally vegan and gluten free, so it's a great thing to serve when you're not totally up on what your guests prefer. Add pasta, rice or quinoa to complete the spread. Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 15 minutes Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, make ahead Serves: 4 Wondering how to make a salad look impressive? As it turns out, all you need to do is serve it on a board instead of in a bowl, which not only looks nice but also makes all the toppings more easily accessible. This one, full of ripe figs and ribbons of prosciutto, is a first-course knockout. Get the recipe Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes Why I Love It: one pan, special occasion-worthy, high protein Serves: 4 Is there anything more inviting than the smell of a chicken roasting? It's one of my back-pocket tricks for feeling like the host with the most. While it looks impressive, it really couldn't be easier to make—you can thank the herbs and lemon for that. Throw some veggies onto the pan or toss a salad and dinner is done. Get the recipe David Loftus/Ultimate Veg Time Commitment: 1 hour Why I Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly Serves: 6 This classic Moroccan dish is usually made in a tagine, a traditional clay pot with a cone-shaped top that lets out steam as it cooks. But a regular skillet will work in a pinch. Sub in whatever veggies you have on hand, but don't skimp on all the warming spices. (You'll never look at cinnamon the same way again.) Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead Serves: 6 OK, I know this is not how Julia Child did things. But the slow cooker is actually a great way to turn the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender. (Plus, you'll actually have time to make a side of mashed potatoes and dessert, and I know she'd approve of that.) Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 30 minutes Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, one pot Serves: 6 Well, aren't you fancy? Bouillabaisse is a notoriously complex dish that can take several hours (and several trips to the fish market). But paring down the ingredients a bit turns it into a totally manageable (and totally delicious) one-pot meal. Talk about an easy dinner party recipe, am I right? Get the recipe Erin Kunkel/The Vibrant Life Time Commitment: 40 minutes Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, special occasion-worthy Serves: 4 In my humble opinion, scallops are fabulous for a last-minute, easy dinner party recipe when you haven't had time to plan or prep ahead of time. They're pretty foolproof (all you need is a hot pan) and come together in minutes. These are served alongside a citrusy mix of summer vegetables, but you could swap in rice or another grain if you'd prefer. Get the recipe Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 2 hours Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein Serves: 6 Sometimes the best way to throw a dinner party is to keep things as simple as possible. Good steaks, a bright herby sauce and plenty of good wine? You'll have happy guests, trust me. The meat is marinated in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, garlic, chile powder and herbs for maximum flavor. Get the recipe Half Baked Harvest Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead Serves: 8 Lasagna will always be an entertaining crowd-pleaser. Why? All the work is done ahead of time, it feeds a million people and everyone loves it. This extra-flavorful version is a twist on the classic, and it has a hearty meat sauce and a pesto-packed ricotta filling instead of the usual tomato base. Get the recipe Laura Edwards/From the Oven to the Table Time Commitment: 50 minutes Why I Love It: gluten-free, high protein, beginner-friendly Serves: 4 This one-pan meal features all the different tastes and textures: crispy chicken thighs, salty feta and a spicy, creamy yogurt sauce drizzled on top, to name the highlights. Arrange it on your most elegant platter and congratulate yourself on a hosting job well done. Get the recipe Food Faith and Fitness Time Commitment: 20 minutes Why I Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly Serves: 2 Behold, a nutritious number that can be enjoyed by everyone at your dinner party. (Don't worry, the serving size can be scaled up for a crowd with ease.) Honey-ginger glazed carrots, pineapple, crispy cabbage and snow peas keep it interesting. Get the recipe Floating Kitchen Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, one pot Serves: 8 Yes, it's meat-free, but it's also hearty and seriously delish. Homemade cheesy biscuits tend to have that effect. (If you, like me, aren't the biggest fan of blue cheese, try swapping in cheddar or goat cheese instead for a less intense funk.) Get the recipe Minimalist Baker Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, kid-friendly Serves: 3 You can't please everyone all the time, but you can please your vegan friends with these meatballs. They're made with quinoa and black beans for a tender texture and lots of protein. Toss them over some spaghetti, serve up some crusty garlic bread and your dinner menu is set. Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 5 hours and 20 minutes Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly Serves: 4 It's just like grandma used to make. The capers and lemons make the entire dish bright and briny, but most importantly, the trusty Crockpot basically cooks dinner for you. How's that for stress-free hosting? Get the recipe Minimalist Baker Time Commitment: 55 minutes Why I Love It: gluten free, vegan, make ahead Serves: 4 This healthy side is packed full of flavor, courtesy of beets, avocado and a tahini maple dressing. It's the ideal accompaniment to whatever your dinner party main might be (although personally, I think it would pair great with chicken). Get the recipe Real Food With Jessica Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, gluten free Serves: 6 Everything tastes better on a stick, no? These sumptuous skewers are a nut-free take on Thai-style chicken satay. They're spicy, nutty and perfect for hors d'oeuvres or as a light entree. You can also pair them with coconut rice or salad if you want to make it a main. Get the recipe The Defined Dish Time Commitment: 35 minutes Why I Love It: gluten free, Paleo-friendly, high protein Serves: 4 Light and fresh, these salmon burgers are ideal for a summer night dinner party on the patio. Lemongrass, chiles and cilantro ensure the patties are packed with flavor, but if you don't like spicy food, just omit the peppers. Ta-da, problem solved. Get the recipe Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 40 minutes Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly Serves: 6 When I make tomato-based pastas, I like to add a little bit of spice. This Italian sauce is particularly delicious because it's made with a small amount of cured pork. It gives the sauce enough richness that can stand up to that burst of heat. Guanciale is traditional, but it's hard to find stateside—I've used pancetta with success instead. Get the recipe I Am a Food Blog Time Commitment: 15 minutes Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly Serves: 4 Hot pot might be the greatest (and easiest) dinner party recipe out there, because everyone picks and cooks their own adventure whatever ingredients you prep ahead of time. Try including multiple meats, seafoods and vegetables (like ribeye, shrimp, broccoli and mushrooms) for variety, and don't sleep on frozen dumplings for an indulgent twist. Get the recipe The Modern Proper Time Commitment: 8 hours Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, <500 calories, dairy free Serves: 10 Juicy, slow-cooked pork shoulder makes an excellent easy dinner party recipe, mainly because it's filling and can be served in an endless number of ways. Just serve the meat as the star of a taco bar and you're set. (Oh, and don't forget the margaritas.) Get the recipe What's Gaby Cooking Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, special occasion-worthy Serves: 4 Recipe creator Gaby Dalkin's smoky, citrusy grilled salmon with jammy cherry tomatoes will become an instant go-to for any warm-weather holiday. Serve it with a crisp white wine and a simple green salad—and never look back. Get the recipe EE BERGER/PULP Time Commitment: 35 minutes Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly Serves: 4 I thought fruit and meat sounded like an odd pairing, but here, the berries are just tart enough to pair beautifully with lamb, and the black pepper keeps the dish on the savory spectrum despite the fruit. It doesn't hurt that the whole thing calls for just seven ingredients either. Get the recipe Pinch of Yum Time Commitment: 8 hours and 10 minutes Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein Serves: 10 A slow cooker can be a total dinner party savior. It'll help you do all the heavy lifting earlier in the day, meaning you'll have more time to hang with your guests. This restaurant-worthy dish pairs fork-tender braised beef with al dente pasta, not to mention a dollop of ricotta cheese on top. Get the recipe The Recipe Critic Time Commitment: 50 minutes Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, high protein Serves: 6 Jambalaya is a fun and festive way to feed a crowd (it's really just a one-pan rice dish packed with shrimp and smoky sausage). Crank up the jazz and serve it with a pitcher of daiquiris for a real New Orleans vibe, and end the meal with beignets to drive the theme home. Get the recipe Damn Delicious Time Commitment: 5 hours and 20 minutes Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe Serves: 6 There's nothing better for a summer gathering than a good old-fashioned shrimp boil with sausage, corn and plenty of Old Bay seasoning. In this easy dinner party recipe, everything cooks together in a Crockpot, so all you'll need to do once friends arrive is slice up some crusty bread for dipping. Get the recipe Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell Time Commitment: 1 hour Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, one pan Serves: 2 This recipe serves two, but if you have a larger skillet, you could add another steak and double the vegetables to serve four. In my experience, the easiest way to ensure your steak is perfectly cooked is to use a meat thermometer and check it before your timer goes off. Then, let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing so it stays juicy. Get the recipe Gimme Some Oven Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, high protein Serves: 8 to 10 What's more fun than a build-you-own-taco party with friends, especially when the filling is more exciting than what you usually make on a random Tuesday? This cochinita pibil—savory, citrusy pork shoulder—definitely fits the bill, and you can fix it up easily in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. I won't tell if you don't. Get the recipe 27 Simple Pasta Recipes Anyone Can Make

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