Many people are intimidated by the idea of having friends, coworkers or business contacts over for dinner. They worry what they prepare won't be good enough or enjoyed by their guests. Or, they think their home isn't nice enough, their serving pieces special enough or their silver silver-y enough. Instead, they either skip the opportunity entirely or simply aim too low on the entertaining ladder, not taking advantage of the chance to show their creativity and have fun.I love entertaining. I love the idea of preparing something delicious for someone else, even if it is simple and basic. From fancy food to a casserole, it's fun to think about what you will serve it in and what china you will use. It's always a challenge to consider what little details will make a simple meal special or special meal spectacular. To be a successful host, all you really need is motivation, but I've put together a list of some helpful tips that can assist the novice host in getting started or the most seasoned one hone his game.
1. OrganizeWhen I'm planning a dinner or party, I use something quite shocking: a file folder. True. I copy the recipes I'm going to use from cookbooks and magazines and place them all in the file. I also make a master shopping list and a game plan, which also go into the folder. Sometimes I even make a sketch of the table and how I expect it to look, which also goes into the file. Everything is in one place and you don't have to spend time looking for recipes or moving back and forth between cookbooks. You can also use the file folder as a record keeping device, if you make a note of what dishes you used and who came to dinner, you can file it away and be sure not to repeat your success on the same victims. But, you have the dinner at-the-ready and planned to use on some new victims, n'est-ce pas?
2. Make the coffee before dinnerUnless you have a maid or a super-special espresso maker and want to prepare individual coffees, invest in a high quality carafe. You can find these at Target or other home stores, or you might even find one in perfect condition at the thrift store like I did. Consider this: after everyone has finished eating whatever delicious food you have prepared what would you rather do:
- Go into the kitchen; turn on the coffee pot; wait for it to brew; etc. etc.?
- Grab a carafe of coffee and suggest everyone follow you into the living room for dessert?
My pot will keep the coffee very hot for at least four hours, and when I'm done preparing dinner, I'm done with everything and can enjoy my guests and conversation. Have the cream in the pitcher in the fridge too!
3. Buy something
Give yourself a break and buy something. You don't have to go all Martha Stewart crazy and prepare everything from scratch down to the ketchup. I mean, it IS fun to do that sometimes as a personal challenge, but completely unnecessary. Buy the starter whether it's cheese or a spread from your local delicatessen. Add some olives and crackers and call it done. Your favorite restaurant will probably prepare a portion of a special salad or appetizer that you like, and your guests might discover something new. Or buy the dessert from your favorite bakery. Whether a sacher torte or chocolate cupcakes, your guests will love what you love.
4. The table
Keep it simple. Of course, this is coming from the person who has a hard time keeping it simple. I like to play with the dishes a couple of days before and think about what I'm going to use. Are you still wondering where everything goes? It's the 21st century and rules are made to be broken. Be creative, but be consistent.
The most important thing to consider is how are you going to serve? Here are some pointers for each:
Family style
1. You don't need table decoration if what your serving is going to fill the table, but think about little vases or something special at each place setting to smarten up the look of the table. Party favors?
2. Even if you're doing family style, it's still nice to have courses and clear between each.
3. Serve dessert in the other room.
Buffet style
Table service
1. Have a very thorough plan.
2. Keep the number of courses to a minimum: serve appetizers with cocktails; start with a simple salad that's on the table when guests are called in; have dessert already portioned out so you can bring to the table quickly.
3. If you really want to serve your guests, don't let them help with clearing and service. If you really need help, hire it. Really.
Simple touches for whatever style dining your using:
1. Placecards
2. Individual salt and peppers
3. Butter in pats at the ready
4. Think small centerpieces, not tall
5. Hand-held fans if it is going to be warm are a fun touch and favor
5. Keep a list
Keep a journal of your entertaining and list the following things:
1. Who came (and if they have any like, dislikes or allergies you may have learned about)
2. What you served
3. What you served it in
4. What you wore. Yes, I know it's ridiculous, but we all have that favorite party outfit and sometimes its hard not to trot it out every time there is an event.
6. One good cookbook
You can have a wall full of cookbooks and still not have any luck figuring out what to prepare for your guests. Or, you could have one good cookbook by an author you trust with time-tested recipes and ideas for entertaining. Find one that works for you (the public library has a huge selection of cookbooks you can check-out and peruse until you find one that works.) and use it as your go-to guide for thinking about dinner. Here are my top five suggestion (yes, I know I said one, but I'm past that part):
1. Mark Bittman, How to Cook Everything (revised edition) or How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
2. Rosso and Lukins, The New Basics Cookbook
3. The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook (both the original classics and new classics editions)
4. Jeane Lemlin, Simple Vegetarian Pleasures
5. The Bon Appetit Cookbook
7. Have fun, enjoy your dinner and your guests!
3. Buy somethingGive yourself a break and buy something. You don't have to go all Martha Stewart crazy and prepare everything from scratch down to the ketchup. I mean, it IS fun to do that sometimes as a personal challenge, but completely unnecessary. Buy the starter whether it's cheese or a spread from your local delicatessen. Add some olives and crackers and call it done. Your favorite restaurant will probably prepare a portion of a special salad or appetizer that you like, and your guests might discover something new. Or buy the dessert from your favorite bakery. Whether a sacher torte or chocolate cupcakes, your guests will love what you love.
4. The table
Keep it simple. Of course, this is coming from the person who has a hard time keeping it simple. I like to play with the dishes a couple of days before and think about what I'm going to use. Are you still wondering where everything goes? It's the 21st century and rules are made to be broken. Be creative, but be consistent.
The most important thing to consider is how are you going to serve? Here are some pointers for each:
Family style1. You don't need table decoration if what your serving is going to fill the table, but think about little vases or something special at each place setting to smarten up the look of the table. Party favors?
2. Even if you're doing family style, it's still nice to have courses and clear between each.
3. Serve dessert in the other room.
Buffet style1. Using the list you made of all of the dishes you will prepare, consider what they will be served in and label each serving piece with a Post-it note so you don't have to sweat it when you are pulling it all together.
2. Try to arrange your dishes in a sensible order, with the main dish first and sides to follow.
3. You can still set the table with the silver so people don't have to worry about. But, if they're picking it up, put it at the end of the buffet and roll the silver restaurant-style in the napkins.
2. Try to arrange your dishes in a sensible order, with the main dish first and sides to follow.
3. You can still set the table with the silver so people don't have to worry about. But, if they're picking it up, put it at the end of the buffet and roll the silver restaurant-style in the napkins.
Table service1. Have a very thorough plan.
2. Keep the number of courses to a minimum: serve appetizers with cocktails; start with a simple salad that's on the table when guests are called in; have dessert already portioned out so you can bring to the table quickly.
3. If you really want to serve your guests, don't let them help with clearing and service. If you really need help, hire it. Really.
Simple touches for whatever style dining your using:1. Placecards
2. Individual salt and peppers
3. Butter in pats at the ready
4. Think small centerpieces, not tall
5. Hand-held fans if it is going to be warm are a fun touch and favor
5. Keep a list
Keep a journal of your entertaining and list the following things:
1. Who came (and if they have any like, dislikes or allergies you may have learned about)
2. What you served
3. What you served it in
4. What you wore. Yes, I know it's ridiculous, but we all have that favorite party outfit and sometimes its hard not to trot it out every time there is an event.
6. One good cookbookYou can have a wall full of cookbooks and still not have any luck figuring out what to prepare for your guests. Or, you could have one good cookbook by an author you trust with time-tested recipes and ideas for entertaining. Find one that works for you (the public library has a huge selection of cookbooks you can check-out and peruse until you find one that works.) and use it as your go-to guide for thinking about dinner. Here are my top five suggestion (yes, I know I said one, but I'm past that part):
1. Mark Bittman, How to Cook Everything (revised edition) or How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
2. Rosso and Lukins, The New Basics Cookbook
3. The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook (both the original classics and new classics editions)
4. Jeane Lemlin, Simple Vegetarian Pleasures
5. The Bon Appetit Cookbook
7. Have fun, enjoy your dinner and your guests!