A little taste of... entertaining
by Sophie Davies
There
is nothing better than getting together a group of your closest friends, a
selection of your favorite beverages (be it beer, wine or cocktails) and
some tasty food – that doesn't have you (the host) stuck in the kitchen all
night.
I learned this lesson after serving up my fair share of over complicated dishes (think Greek feasts, five course French dinner parties) and being left with masses of washing up. I have decided that the aim of the game is to have fun and to enjoy the company of your dear guests, not to intimidate them with your infinite cooking prowess, providing yourself an avalanche of dirty dishes and only five minutes to sit down between courses, only to devour all that is put before you, and enjoy none of it.
So I have compiled a list of tips for next time you have friends over.
Tip One: Keep it simple
I know you hear it in every facet of your life these days however it still rings true. Choose something you know how to cook and choose something you can do the majority of preparation before hand (i.e. NOT fiddly multi-dish extravaganzas with 101 steps to preparation).
Tip Two: Less is best
Unlike in the '70s (bless their cotton socks) people no longer expect five courses complete with vichyssoise for entrée and fancy strawberry mousse for dessert – try a plate of antipasto, a main (like a casserole or roast) and a ripe cheese with some dried figs or muscatels.
Tip Three: Delegate
Everyone is glad to help – get someone to serve the booze, someone to clear the plates and someone to work the stereo, that way you don't end up a nervous wreck by 10pm.
Tip Four: Start early with some quality wines (the best you can afford seeing that you don't need to pay corkage or restaurant prices) – but keep a few bottles of plonk on hand for once the crowd get rowdy (and no longer know what they are drinking) that way you will be remembered as a talented AND generous host.
I encourage you to ditch the restaurants for a weekend and indulge your beloved in some home cooking – the sordid topics of conversation you can breach in your own home can be far more entertaining!