This Dinner Idea Will Feel Like Dining Out—With Zero Effort
Impress your taste buds with a quality meal that’s effortless to prepare. Perfect for busy nights!
Hey there!
Welcome to the latest Together Kit.
Ever had one of those days where you want to cook something special when you get home, but the idea of measuring, prepping, and following a recipe just feels like a chore?
Maybe you’ve thought about ordering in, but nothing quite matches the warmth of a home-cooked meal—except the pressure of getting it just right can take the fun out of it. And let’s be honest, who wants to spend the whole evening scrubbing pots and pans? (Uh, no one).
This week, we’ve got you a relaxed, laughter-filled way to cook with friends—with a splash of magic to boot.
Raise you a glass.
Introducing…
📌 The Ultimate Cooking with Wine Blueprint
If you love the idea of a dinner party, but can’t stand the thought of complicated recipes? We’ll drink to that—quite literally!
There’s something totally elegant about cooking with wine. It transforms simple ingredients into divine flavours—without requiring a lot of prep time.
What Is Cooking with Wine & Why It’s the Perfect Shortcut
Cooking with wine sounds super fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy. Instead of juggling multiple dishes, you build the meal around a star ingredient: wine. And no, it’s not just for drinking! Cooking with wine gives you a restaurant-quality flavour with minimal effort.
The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a deep, complex taste that makes your food taste like you spent hours perfecting it. Plus, it saves you time—wine naturally tenderises meats and balances flavours, so you need fewer ingredients and less work.
Here are some ways to make things more special:
Utilise Your Mates – Ask friends to take turns stirring, as well as set up the dinner table and plating.
Skip Complexity – Not sure where to start? The classics never fail: a red wine-based coq au vin (French chicken stew), a creamy white wine risotto, or a rich beef bourguignon.
Cook It In One – Make everything in one pot, meaning less cleanup.
The Quick-Start FAQ
Do I need expensive wine to cook with?
Nope! A mid-range bottle ($10–$15) works great. If you’d drink it, you can cook with it. Avoid cheap "cooking wine"—it’s too salty and acidic.
You can also ask your friends to chip in a few dollars, to help bolster your wine choices.
Can vegetarians cook with wine?
Absolutely! Swap out meat for mushrooms, lentils, or butternut squash in dishes like risotto or wine-braised pasta sauces.
Is cooking with wine expensive?
Not at all. It’s actually cheaper than dining out. A homemade coq au vin or risotto can serve 4–6 people and costs way less than a restaurant meal.
What wines work best for cooking?
Red: Good for rich dishes like stews, braised meats, and pasta sauces. (Think Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet). White: Perfect for lighter meals like risottos, seafood, or creamy sauces. (Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.)
What drinks pair well with a cooking-with-wine meal?
The same wine you use in the dish! But if you want variety, try a light wine for contrast or a deep red to bring out the flavours. Sparkling water with a bit of mint is also nice, and a great palate cleanser.
How to Pull Off a Cooking with Wine Night (Step-by-Step)
1. Choose Your Dish
Pick one main dish that features wine (e.g. Coq au vin, risotto, or a wine-braised pasta).
Bonus: choose a simple side like salad or French bread.
2. Gather Your Wine & Ingredients
Grab one bottle for cooking and another for drinking.
Keep ingredients minimal—since the wine enhances natural flavours, you don’t need much.
3. Set Up a Cooking Station
Arrange one big prep area so everyone can chat while chopping.
Have cutting boards, measuring cups, and a communal bottle of wine ready.
4. Start with a Toast
Before cooking, pour everyone a glass and toast to the night ahead.
It’s a built-in icebreaker and makes the night feel special and personal.
5. Let the Wine Do Its Thing
Simmer, stir, and let the wine infuse its deep flavour.
If making a stew, let it bubble away while you enjoy appetisers or conversation.
Do make sure to pay attention to the cook, though, to avoid any burning.
6. Set the Table for Comfort
Think rustic, moody, emotional and cosy, when it comes to atmosphere.
Opt for large bowls for sharing, wooden boards for the bread, and dim lighting for a personal touch.
7. Feel Satisfied
Serve up the meal, pour another glass, and enjoy the flavours you’ve created—with not a lot of effort.
We Hate Awkward At Cooking with Wine Nights
Whilst you’re tucking into dinner, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter a few awkward pauses along the way—or perhaps your group not quite relaxing yet. Given all the wine-infused food, it’s too good an opportunity not to capitalise on. Here are a couple of games to help friends relax.
Two Truths & a Lie: Everyone is given 60 seconds to write down 2 true personal facts and one that isn’t (the lie). Then they each take turns to read out their cards, with the group left to guess which one is the lie. Once the lie is revealed, give friends the chance to talk more about the truths.
Guess Whose Job: Have you got a work story you're dying to share? Perhaps something embarrassing you or a customer did? This time round, get everyone to write out 3 job onto strips of paper. Shuffle these in a bowl, with players taking it in turns to read one of strips, for everyone else to guess its owner. The funnier the stories, the better the game.
Stuck for conversation? Here are three conversation starter questions to get friends talking.
“Do you have a go-to comfort food dish that you always order when you go out? What is it?”
“What’s the worst restaurant experience you’ve ever had, and what made it so bad?”
“What’s your favourite cooking style (e.g. Grilling, stir-frying, baking), and why?”
Grab Your Together Gear
Need more conversation starter questions? Look no further than our book, Conquering Small Talk: 1000 Conversation Starter Questions For Any Social Event.
Thanks for Reading the Latest Together Kit.
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