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Come Dine with Me
Flavour’s stress-free guide to entertaining at home
There’s something incredibly warming about eating at home with a group of appreciative friends and family. And, depending upon who you are inviting and the time of year, there are so many different ways to entertain.
Flavour’s stress-free guide to entertaining at home There’s something incredibly warming about eating at home with a group of appreciative friends and family. And, depending upon who you are inviting and the time of year, there are so many different ways to entertain.
What kind of party? First things first, you must decide what type of dinner party you’d like to throw. It may be a fabulous five course feast or it could be a relaxed garden party with al fresco delights. However, the type of party you decide to have can often depend on several other factors including; guest numbers, the size of your home or garden, the time of year / the weather, your budget and the time you have allowed yourself for preparation.
When?
You need to decide the best possible time for your party, and let your guests know well in advance as they may need to sort out a babysitter, re-arrange existing plans, plus you need to allow time to await RSVPs. And, never assume anything, for example, most garden parties are held during the daytime, so if you are planning an evening do outside with heaters, candles and lanterns, you really need to let your guests know a time, so they do not turn up mid-afternoon!
How many?
Your guest numbers are often controlled by the kind of dinner party you are planning, the space you have and of course, your budget. Although Jesus may have been able to feed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, we think anyone else would struggle on this one, so don’t invite more guests than you can afford to feed well.
What’s the budget?
Sometimes it is better to start with your budget rather than your guest list or desired menu, as your budget will set your limits on guest quota and food choices. There’s no point planning a champagne reception with caviar canapés and a main of fillet steak for ten, if your budget can stretch no more than £100. Being on a tight budget needn’t show though if you plan your food and wine choices carefully. When thinking of costs, also factor in other elements such as flowers and decorations, entertainment and so on. If it is all becoming too expensive, consider less courses, or keep it simple with a wine and cheese supper.
Will there be a theme?
Themes needn’t be tacky. They can actually be subtle, and simply give your dinner party ‘personality’. It may be a special occasion such as birthday or anniversary, so decorations could set the scene. Seasonal festivities may also inspire a theme, such as Halloween, Easter or Christmas. You may simply want to choose a theme which runs through your menu, perhaps a Chinese, Thai or Indian food fare. Or, remind everyone of holidays past, with a Spanish influenced sangria and tapas evening. Cured meats, olives and pickles can all be picked up from your local deli and make for an easy night of entertaining. Even a themed ‘Night in Provence’ with classic French cuisine and wines would go down well with most guests. To really set the scene, choose music appropriate to your theme, as this will create the right atmosphere as soon as your guests come through the door.
The food
Deciding on what food to serve can be incredibly confusing, especially when you throw dietary requirements, vegetarians and fussy eaters into the mix. The easiest way around it, is to decide on a main course which will suit all your guests (very occasionally you may have to offer a ‘two option’ main course, especially if there are one or two vegetarians dining with a lot of meat eaters), then choose a simple starter to go with and perhaps two options for dessert if there are more than six of you.
If you are nervous about playing host, choose dishes you know well and that you can prepare in advance so you are not getting stressed in the kitchen while your guests are left to entertain themselves. Some of the best dinner parties can include some of the easiest no-fuss dishes, such as a hearty hot pot or a tasty, rich lasagne.
Also, think about the presentation of the food. One of the easiest ways to serve food at a dinner party, especially if you have a small kitchen, is to put food into attractive serving bowls straight out onto the table where guests can spoon up what they want for themselves.
Last but not least, be realistic about the time you have to prepare your courses and your capabilities in the kitchen. And, if necessary check out a nearby deli, local caterers or even ready-made options from your supermarket.
The drinks
These days, guests do not expect hosts to serve free-flowing alcohol all evening. Most will bring a bottle as an offering, which can help greatly if it complements the meal. Guests also don’t expect to be offered a range of spirits, so a choice of red, white and rose wine, and perhaps chilled beer is optional enough. You should also have soft drinks available for those who are driving. There can be snobbery attached to wine, but try not to worry about this too much. It may help to follow the usual rule of red wine for red meat dishes, and white wine for white meat and fish dishes.
On The Day Hints & Tips
Make lists of the jobs you need to get done – preferably in the order you should do them.
Make ice and remember to take any items out of the freezer that need defrosting.
Create a centrepiece on your dining/buffet table with either flowers, candles or something that suits your theme, such as a carved pumpkin or Christmas wreath.
Tidy the rooms your guests will see, and don’t forget to clean the bathroom.
Lay the table before your guests arrive. You’ll appear super organised to your guests even if things in the kitchen are not going exactly to plan.
Create an inviting atmosphere with low lighting, candles and a warm house.
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for your guests. You certainly don’t want them arriving while you are still in cooking attire, with hair messily pulled back and no make up on!
Most importantly, enjoy your evening. If things don’t go quite to plan, there’s always the local takeaway to call on!