5 things to have on hand in your kitchen for when you get unexpected guests

Know the feeling of being flustered and completely unprepared when you find unexpected guests on your doorstep? It’s time for that to come to an end. Hack your way to hostess success and ensure you always have these ingredients handy (for those out-of-the-blue moments when you have to make magic and produce something edible).

1. Frozen prawns and peas

These two ingredients are lifesavers when you’re in need of a meal to impress. Throw together a quick and fuss-free sophisticated seafood pasta.

TRY: Prawns and chorizo with salsa verde pasta salad

2. Eggs
Whip up a mean frittata with any leftover meat or veggies from the fridge. Not only will it force you to use up what you already have, it’s super simple to make and rather filling too.

TRY: Potato and bacon frittata

3. Jar of pesto
You can never go wrong having a tub or jar of herb pesto in your fridge. Whether you add it to roast veggies, use it to stuff chicken breasts, or simply stir it into a bowl of pasta, you’ll always find it handy! Just be sure to use it up before it’s Best Before date.

TRY: Bruschetta with brown mushrooms, peppers and coriander pesto

4. Frozen pizza bases
A cheesy pizza always gets the thumbs up. And you can top them with whatever your heart desires. It’s a good idea to keep your pantry stocked with things like olives, artichokes and perhaps some spicy peppers to jazz things up.

TRY: one of these 5 pizza recipes

5. Cheese
If all else fails, having a decent selection of fancy cheeses is a great way of showing that you’re ‘prepared’. Keep a loaf of your favourite artisanal bread in the freezer and simply heat up in the oven for a few minutes before serving. Add a bottle of wine and you’re sorted! A satisfying meal that any French host would high five you for.