| One of the "tricks" I find most useful for | | | | |
| hosting stress-free dinner parties is to make | | | | Some of the recipes I rely on are make-ahead, |
| some of the recipes ahead. I find that too | | | | and some are just items that I can bring home |
| many last minute jobs can overwhelm me, so I | | | | from the store and put out in nice serving |
| plan ahead to eliminate as many as possible. | | | | dishes. |
| | | | |
| The more dishes you can prepare a day or some | | | | Some cooks even make everything ahead. If you |
| hours before guests ring your doorbell, the | | | | love stews, lasagna and casseroles, then you |
| more you reduce your stress. Here are some | | | | could do that too. |
| reasons: | | | | |
| | | | But I often prefer serving a delicious roast |
| • You avoid a last minute crisis if | | | | of lamb or beef or chicken as the special |
| preparation takes longer than you thought it | | | | item on the menu. Luckily these dishes are |
| would. | | | | ones you can put in the oven and leave to |
| | | | themselves while you do other things. |
| • If you like to cook, you'll have the | | | | |
| leisure to enjoy what you're doing instead of | | | | If you can add potatoes and vegetables to the |
| feeling frantic about a deadline | | | | roast while it cooks you have almost all of |
| | | | the advantages of make-ahead. Once you pop |
| • You have time to clean up after you | | | | them in the oven beside the roast you can |
| cook. | | | | pretty well ignore them until they are |
| | | | cooked. |
| • If there is a disaster, say you burn | | | | |
| something, you have plenty of time to come up | | | | So I tend to focus on finding appetizers, |
| with an alternate plan. | | | | salads, side dishes and desserts that I can |
| | | | make ahead, or set out straight from the |
| • If you have prepared the dessert | | | | store, or vegetables I can cook alongside a |
| ahead, you don't need to leave the table for | | | | roast. Then I can concentrate on the last |
| a long stretch just when the conversation is | | | | minute items like slicing a roast, making |
| getting really interesting. | | | | gravy, and getting things on the table. |
| | | | |
| Put your imagination to work for you! Try to | | | | Probably the most important category for me |
| imagine your way through the last minute jobs | | | | is appetizers. I find it too stressful to be |
| you will have to get dinner on the table, and | | | | fussing at cooking something while the |
| reduce them to a minimum you feel comfortable | | | | doorbell is ringing. If you are hosting by |
| with. It helps to think about what all those | | | | yourself you may find the same. |
| last minute jobs are: setting out the ice | | | | |
| water pitcher, lighting the candles, putting | | | | So I try to have a repertoire of make-ahead |
| items in serving dishes and getting the | | | | or buy-ahead appetizer recipes that work for |
| guests to the table. | | | | me. Often I serve more than one, since some |
| | | | of my guests like to stick to very light |
| By the way, many of these are jobs that your | | | | appetizers, and others enjoy heartier ones. |
| guests can do. | | | | |
| | | | You can build your repertoire of make ahead |
| What is your level of tolerance for last | | | | recipes for your home dinner parties. I |
| minute jobs? | | | | suggest you start with appetizers. If you |
| | | | want to see some of my favorites, just go to |
| Now ask yourself what your level of tolerance | | | | my Make-Ahead Appetizers page on my website. |
| is for last minute jobs? If it is low, then | | | | |
| you should think about finding some recipes | | | | Enjoy minimizing your hosting stress and |
| that absolutely minimize any last minute | | | | watching your guests' eyes light up at the |
| work. This is especially true if you are an | | | | sight of your tasty, well presented |
| inexperienced cook. | | | | appetizers. |