There’s nothing better than good food, great movies, and your favorite people. Here’s how to host a spring girls’ night in: from great movies to an easy, seasonal menu.
Spring makes me think of this John Steinbeck’s quote: “Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.”
This year, spring feels like a gentle, slow awakening. I want to celebrate the season of transformation with long walks, seasonal dinners and great movies. I want to be gentle with myself.
Spring offers us many wonderful things: warmer days, budding flowers, and a variety of fruits and vegetables that are as fresh and colorful as the season is. Asparagus, artichokes, radishes, and strawberries start making an appearance at the dinner table.
This is a guide to help you host a spring girls’ night in that’s full of seasonal produce, feel-good movies, easy snacks and great music. Ultimately, it’s all about keeping things light and fun. Here’s to many hassle-free dinner parties that won’t break the bank! Let these tips guide you through planning, cooking, and entertaining with ease.
I cover the season in greater detail (I’m talking about book recommendations and a great playlist!) on my Substack. Please consider subscribing for more similar content! I try to publish on Substack regularly.
What to Cook for a Girls’ Night In
Let’s start with snacks: as a huge snack enthusiast, I believe a girls’ night in is not complete with them. For this season, it’s all about colors and variety. I think a plate is the perfect canvas for this. A snack plate is anything you want it to be: fill it with fresh fruits, crackers, a nice cheese, gherkins, jams, cute little toasts. The result is a feast to the eyes.
For a more complex snack, I love making shrimp ceviche. You can find the recipe here.
Dinner Menu
For a nice, chill dinner, here’s an easy, manageable menu to inspire you. Like I mentioned previously, artichokes, strawberries, and radishes are all classic spring produce. The great thing about them is that they’re so visually striking, they stand out on their own and make any dish look good.
For the appetizer, these artichoke hearts are phenomenal: they’re roasted until golden and crisp then served on a bed of creamy, tangy Labneh. I like drizzling with oregano infused olive oil that’s full of garlicky and lemon flavors. Overall it’s a bright, fun appetizer that looks great on any dinner table.
For a side dish, this citrus salad is not only easy but it can also be made ahead of time. I love that it’s a great palette cleanser, because it’s basically water in vegetable form, so it goes with everything! And it’s crunchy water, so full of textures and complexity and stuff. Besides, it complements our main dish really well.
Speaking of our main, I suggest trying this roast beef for very similar reasons: it’s a fairly hands-off dish and very low effort. The oven does most of the work, so you have time to get everything else ready!
For dessert, a classic lemon tart garnished with fresh strawberries is the epitome of the season! It’s great because it can also be made ahead and it’s very easy to put together. I’ll be sharing the recipe soon!
Girls’ Night Movie Picks
For a gentle, soft spring, there’s nothing better than 90’s romcoms sprinkled with a little Hannah Montana here, some Hilary Duff there and a good dose of the ever charming Brittany Murphy. And some cake, of course.
As a self-proclaimed romcom connoisseur, trust me, I know these things.
Needless to say, I’ve watched these movies so many times I’ve lost count. They always leave me feeling hopeful and they never fail to make me just a little bit happier. And I think at the end of the day, that’s the magic of feel-good movies: they make you feel like anything is possible and they give you all the endorphins you need to survive this harsh world.
Tips for Hosting a Cozy Night In
When it comes to setting the mood and keeping things casual and fun, I believe you should let the food be the centerpiece of your dinner table.
Set the mood with some candles and fresh flowers (and even houseplants) and you’ll be able to create a table setup that’s both cozy and inviting.
For the dress code, an elevated pajama party would be elegant and comfortable. As for the theme, pastel colors would match the season perfectly. And for that movie marathon, cute pillows and cozy blankets would complete the mood and vibe.
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