It’s party time! Are you a guest that always brings a killer potluck dish and terrific hostess gift? This Hostess Gift Guide will help you with some new gift ideas along with a recipe that works for any season of the year.
Hostess Gift Guide
Most people bring a bottle of wine, which is great but makes you like every other guest. If you plan ahead, you can bring a cool gift that’s acknowledges your appreciation of the host’s invitation. When the hosts wind down after the party, they have a gift to look forward to opening. It also gives your gift a chance to be remembered in the future.
Use the arrows below to see each item in the guide. Click on any item for shopping information.
Pomegranate Chicken Salad with Couscous Recipe
This is a perfect holiday potluck recipe. It looks festive, tastes delicious and rides the line between main dish and side dish perfectly. This yummy recipe is from my friend Lisa Ende, who is one of the best hostesses I know. She makes it all look so effortless and is an incredible cook. If you live in LA, she teaches cooking and entertaining classes that you can find here. She also sells gorgeous wooden serving pieces.
Pomegranate Chicken Salad with Couscous and Spiced Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 cup Couscous
- Salt and Pepper
- 1.25 cup Almonds, Blanched and Sliced
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Can Garbanzo Beans, Drained and Rinsed
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 Lemon, Juiced and Zested
- 1 cup Pomegranate Seeds
- Handful Mint, Torn
- Olive Oil, For Drizzling
Pomegranate Chicken
- 12 Chicken Thighs (You Can Use Breasts)
Marinade
- 2.5 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup Pomegranate Molasses
- 1 Lemon, Juiced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, Chopped
- 2.5 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2.5 tbsp Sherry Vinegar
- 2 Springs Mint
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
Cook couscous according to the packet instructions. Fluff with fork to break up any lumps, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Place the blanched almonds in a skillet and toast on medium-high heat until golden brown. Set aside and cool.
In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add chickpeas, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing often, until crisp and golden.
Add the lemon juice and cook for another minute. Transfer all the contents of the pan to the couscous, along with the toasted almonds.
Add the pomegranate seeds, mint, lemon zest and a good drizzle of olive oil and gently toss to combine.
Finally top with sliced Pomegranate Chicken.
Pomegranate Chicken
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat – working in batches, cook the chicken (about 5-6) minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
Marinade
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Pour into a ziplock bag and add chicken – seal and shake well.
Marinate in fridge for at least 6 hours overnight.
Other Great Recipes:
- Crispy Sheet Pan Chicken
- Salmon with Quinoa Salad
- Butternut and Roasted Tomato Summer Salad
- Shrimp and Farro Bowl
- Black Bean Burgers
Happy Holidays and have fun at your parties!
43 Comments
Biki
December 16, 2018 at 9:23 amI love chicken and cous cous, so this recipe has my name alllll over it!
Also, I think it’s a great idea to give your host a gift, so they have something to look forward to after all the hard work put into throwing a shindig.
Xo
Jenifer
December 18, 2018 at 2:58 pmGlad you liked it. It’s super delicious!
Sofia Him
December 15, 2018 at 8:56 amThe salad looks so delicious! I love anything with pomegranate and chicken
Sofia xx
Jenifer
December 15, 2018 at 9:07 pmIt really is yummy and I love those ingredients too 🙂
Jamila
December 15, 2018 at 2:23 amI just wanted to say that matcha is one of my favourite things and it would be a perfect gift for someone like me. I always order a green tea matcha when I go into Starbucks and I absolutely love the taste. Now, I tried the matcha ice cream and it was nice too but I love the green tea beverage way better. Great holiday idea gift!
– http://www.jamilakyari.com
Jenifer
December 15, 2018 at 9:10 pmThanks for the feedback. I know there are some real Matcha lovers like you. I’m still new to Matcha – the ice cream I tried was delicious but I’ll have to try the tea now.
aumentar
December 11, 2018 at 12:30 amThis recipe looks amazing
Jenifer
December 13, 2018 at 11:49 pmThank you, I’m so glad you liked it. Perfect for the holiday season!
xx Jenifer
Emily
December 10, 2018 at 5:11 pmOmmgggg yum! Definitely want to try this!
-Emily | http://www.TheEmilyEdition.com
Jenifer
December 13, 2018 at 11:53 pmThanks so much, let me know how it turns out! Glad you like it!
xx Jenifer
Len Parent
December 6, 2018 at 1:29 amlooks delicious!!! Love this!
Have a great day!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
XO
Jenifer
December 7, 2018 at 9:45 pmThank you Len!
Yasmin
December 5, 2018 at 6:05 amThis looks so good! I’ve been looking for a new chicken dish to try. I’ll have to bookmark this.
xx Yasmin
https://banglesandbungalows.com
Jenifer
December 7, 2018 at 9:48 pmHope you enjoy it as much as I did!
MP Allegaert
December 5, 2018 at 3:31 amHave to try this chicken and couscous salad asap! The other two recipes, too!!
Jenifer
December 6, 2018 at 12:51 amI think you’ll love all of the recipes. Lisa, the person who gave them to me is the best cook!
Mariann Yip
December 4, 2018 at 7:17 pmThis recipe looks amazing! I love a good chicken salad and I can’t wait to try this out!
Jenifer
December 6, 2018 at 12:03 amI’m so glad you like the recipe. I think you’ll love it!!
Carina Herren
December 4, 2018 at 2:48 amOh gosh girl this recipe looks soo good! I’m totally going to try this on my next potluck! 😍
Carina
https://theagelessmillennial.com/
Jenifer
December 5, 2018 at 11:56 pmGlad you like the recipe. It’s really delicious!
Thomas Paul
December 1, 2018 at 2:31 amOh that dish looks so interesting.
I love experimenting with salads.. There’s so many options!!
Lovely recipe
Jenifer
December 6, 2018 at 12:00 amGlad you like it. I always need salad inspiration and this one is delicious. Enjoy!
Angela
November 30, 2018 at 3:02 pmOh my! This looks so yummy. I love the idea of bringing a gift for the host to wind down! Such a good post.
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 6:37 pmThank you! I know I always like opening thoughtful hostess gifts after the party is over. 😊
Mama in Heels
November 30, 2018 at 4:47 amI love your hostess gift idea..I’m one of those people who would bring wine cuz it’s easy and convenient. I will remember to bring something like this next time because it’s more thoughtful!
xo,
Janise
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 6:38 pmSo understandable. If you don’t get a hostess gift ahead of time, it’s so hard to do it at the last minute.
Wendy Knipp
November 29, 2018 at 10:16 pmI am not usually a salad person, however this looks amazing. Thanks for the idea.
Wendy
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 6:36 pmGlad you like it. Let me know what you think!
Asha
November 29, 2018 at 6:01 pmAh great recipe. Going to add it to my list for 2019 health eating haha. Thank you, I’ll let you know how it goes!
Asha xo Age of Youth
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 11:41 pmGlad you like it! I need a list for healthy uneating – things to stop like chips 🤣
Karolina
November 29, 2018 at 2:49 pmA great post! <3
I am following you and invite you to me
https://milentry-blog.blogspot.com
Jessica
November 29, 2018 at 2:07 pmThis looks sooo deliciously healthy dear! I gotta try this, thanks for sharing!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 6:26 pmHope you enjoy it. Super yummy!
Vicki
November 29, 2018 at 3:39 amMatcha would be such a good gift! Love it and love making it at home!!
Jenifer
November 30, 2018 at 6:23 pmI love hearing that because I’m such a coffee drinker but have some friends that are super Matcha lovers!!
Valerie
November 29, 2018 at 12:03 amThis dish looks amazing! I love that it has pomegranate in it! Also this gift guide is perfect…I love the coaster and the marble cheese board!
http://roadesque.com
Jenifer
November 29, 2018 at 1:52 amIt really is so yummy and the pomegranate adds a festive, delicious touch. So glad you liked the gift guide.
Vanessa
November 28, 2018 at 5:46 pmOh, this looks delicious dear! Need to save your recipe!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Jenifer
November 28, 2018 at 8:31 pmEnjoy the recipe. It’s so yummy.
Lovely Amusan
November 28, 2018 at 8:53 amThis look delicious hun, have to make it for myself!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Jenifer
November 28, 2018 at 8:31 pmHope you enjoy it. I thought it was so delicious.
Simone
November 28, 2018 at 8:23 amI do love to treat the hosts with a lovely gift as well. Your guide includes all the nice things you can wish for. Definitely got to try your recipe, that chicken salad looks divine.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Jenifer
November 28, 2018 at 8:30 pmThank you. Hope you like the recipe as much as I do. Hostess gifts are such a good thing to buy ahead so you don’t have to worry last minute.