$30 Dinner Party is a Monthly Column that lays out a detailed 3-course meal (appetizer, entree and dessert) for a dinner party of four for under $30. With a detailed listing of ingredients (and their cost) and super easy recipes, along with budget wine pairings, you’ll never have to put off socializing due to budget restrictions again. Recession be damned!

Rachel Chemerynski is a self-proclaimed “Healthy Chick.” Fresh out of college, she loves eating healthy while still enjoying the foods she’s grown to love and strongly believes that not only can others eat healthy, but they can do it without fearing food and still save a buck or two.

Entertaining friends with a low-key, intimate dinner at home can be pricey. But we’ve gathered everything you need to move those after work dinners from the restaurant and into your kitchen — and at about a quarter of the cost. You can downsize your supermarket bill without losing out on taste or presentation with these simple recipes for fabulously frugal meals.