Best Dinner Party Ideas with a Roaster Oven and Rice Cooker

Hosting a fancy dinner party might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

With the help of an Aroma roaster oven and your rice cooker, you can prepare a multi-course meal that feels effortless (and gives you even more time to enjoy with guests!) Follow this stress-free guide for your next dinner party:

1. Roaster Oven, Rice Cooker, and Keep Warm

Use your roaster oven for the main dish while a mini rice cooker handles the sides. With this clever setup, your traditional oven and stovetop are left open for last-minute touches or additional dishes.

Plus, every Aroma rice cooker has an automatic Keep Warm setting, so you don’t need to set a timer or remember to turn off the heat. That’s a must for easy dinner party dishes!

2. Chop and Prep in Airtight Containers

Most ingredients can be chopped and prepped the day before! Just make sure to use sharp knives for cleaner cuts and less bruising on soft fruits or vegetables. It’s typically best to store chopped ingredients in separate, airtight containers – especially if it has a strong flavor or odor.

Save your leafy greens, onions, garlic, herbs, bananas, and potatoes for the day-of. If you’re in a pinch, acidic lemon juice and tight plastic wrap can help save pre-cut apples, pears, and avocados from turning brown.

3. Easy-Lift Handles for Table Serving

Bring your small rice cooker straight to the table – either with the whole appliance or just the inner pot. The mini rice cooker exterior and lid are insulated to help food stay warm until you’re ready to serve.

Aroma’s roaster oven also has a stainless steel rack with easy-lift handles, so you can easily serve, cut, and share the main course right at the table.

If you’re hosting a formal dinner party on a budget, we recommend shopping for serving platters and extra plates at your local thrift store. You might find some gorgeous treasures, and the mismatched aesthetic makes everyone’s table setting feel unique.

4. Clean and Soak Non-Stick Surfaces

The most dreaded chore is always dinner party cleanup. But it’s really not so bad, as long as you avoid a bottleneck at the kitchen sink! (Aroma’s non-stick coatings and ceramic surfaces help with that, too.)

Before the party starts, try to clean while you prep and only reserve a few dirty utensils or dishes that you know you’ll need to use again for finishing and serving. Keep your kitchen clean and organized while the small rice cooker and roaster oven finish cooking. If you can, empty your dishwasher before dinner party guests arrive so that it’s ready for plates and cups to go right inside. 

Most non-stick appliances wipe clean with minimal scrubbing, like Aroma’s small rice cooker pot. (But no one needs to know that!) Stack appliance pots and components in your sink with soapy water to soak overnight, then get right back to the fun dinner party! Leave that task for tomorrow.

5. Where to Find Dinner Party Recipes

Start with simple, familiar recipes to build your confidence. We recommend testing recipes a week early, so you can confirm cooking times, make adjustments, and treat yourself to a delicious dinner before the big day!

Elegant finishes make any dish seem even impressive, like garnishing with fresh herbs or a drizzle of sauce. Little details make all the difference, so don’t feel pressure to fill your roaster oven and mini rice cooker with something super complicated.

Looking for fun, easy dinner party ideas? While you’re browsing recipes, focus on these key features:

–       Cross-over ingredients that you can use in multiple dishes

–       Community reviews and comments written by home chefs like you

–       User-friendly instructions written specifically for your appliance