Pre-party food ideas for you and your mates

What’s on your mind when you’re getting ready for a night out? Choosing an outfit that’ll get you noticed? Putting on the party tunes guaranteed to get you in the mood?

Food may not be top of your to-do list. But if you choose to drink later, you need to think about your stomach. Food helps to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream so it doesn’t go to your head as quickly. So a good meal can help you carry on the night for longer and you’ll be less likely to end up at home early doors...

Easy eats

Eating before you go out doesn’t have to mean queuing for a burger or fighting for a table at the local Italian. Why not cook up a storm at home?

Not only will you save some cash, making dinner with your mates can be a great laugh. If you’re going to be drinking, go for food that’s big on carbohydrates and protein. It’ll keep you fuller for longer, and the slow releasing energy will mean you’re less likely to be the night’s snoozer...

Here are some simple meal ideas you can whip up in minutes:

Homemade pizza

If you’re dressed up in your best outfit, you might want to avoid getting messy with flour and dough. So go for some ready prepared pizza bases and a jar of tomato sauce.

Ask everyone to bring round a different topping – and get creative!  Feeling spicy? Try thinly sliced pepperoni and a few chopped jalapeno peppers. Get fruity with pineapple and banana. Or keep it simple with sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.

Tuna pasta

Put your pasta on to boil. Chop up an onion, some celery and peppers and pop it all into a frying pan. Add a can of chopped tomatoes and a clove of garlic (depending on how sociable you’re planning to be later!).

Leave it simmering for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in a can of tuna. When the pasta is done, serve with a generous helping of your tuna veg mix on top.

Mock Mexican

Brown off some onions and garlic in a saucepan and add mince (or veggie substitute). Bung in a can of chopped tomatoes and cook over a medium heat for 20 minutes. When that’s done, pour it over a packet of nachos, grate some cheese on top, and bung in the microwave until it’s all melted. Simples!  

Scrambled eggs and beans on toast

Don’t underestimate the power of this pre-party super snack!

To make it you’ll need two eggs per person, a bit of butter and some water or milk. Beat the eggs with a fork until the yolks and whites are fully mixed together. Add a splash of water or milk. Melt a small chunk of butter into a hot pan and add in the egg mixture – stir continuously.

While you’re doing this, get a mate to heat some beans and put some toast on. Serve hot, buttered toast, topped with scrambled eggs and beans. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, and get the ketchup out (or even hot chilli sauce if you’re in the mood).

Page last updated by

Unknown, 10 May 2012.

Page checked on

01 Sep 2010