Hosting a Dinner Party
Quick and Easy Home Cooking for Guests
Dinner parties are a great way of getting together with friends, and if you're the host there are benefits such as getting to eat exactly what you want, no worries about drinking and driving, and no taxi fares or child minder's fees.
Can Cooking for Guests Ever be Easy?
For the party planner who is just getting into entertaining in this way, it can appear a little daunting. The first thing a host needs to consider is the dinner party menu. What makes an ideal dinner party meal? Does it need to be exotic? What is the right wine? Stop worrying! The host must always remember that the dinner party is just a way of entertaining friends. The meal is a nice little bonus for those friends, and has saved them the bother of cooking for an evening. They're in their host's debt before the oven has even been switched on.
So until it's time to spread those culinary wings, keep it simple and do as much as you can in advance. Creamed soups with hunks of crusty bread are always well received and can even be made the day before the party and refrigerated. Mixed platters of cold meats require no cooking, and paté can also be prepared a day or two early and served up with store-bought oatcakes. Many puddings or desserts can also be made in advance. Think of trifle, gateau, cheesecake or a simple bowl of ice cream.
With those all taken care of way ahead, there should now be plenty of time to concentrate on the main course. But even that doesn't have to be difficult. If the idea of getting the timings right so that the meat is ready at exactly the same time as the vegetables, don't worry. A casserole or stew with all the meat and veg in the one pot will go down handsomely. Or make a pasta dish and serve it up with a side salad.
Dinner Parties Still Seem Like a Lot of Effort
Bear in mind that everything doesn't have to be made by the host.. Partners can often be enticed into working in the kitchen and thereby share in the culinary limelight. Failing that, there is no shame in buying certain items ready-made, although this could put a strain on the entertainment budget.
Choosing a Suitable Wine
Short of hiring a professional sommelier, choosing the right wine to match the meal is a skill that will only be acquired with experience. As a fledgling dinner party host, the best rule of thumb is: white wine with fish, chicken and salads, and red wine with red meats and game.
The reason behind this is white wine is less complex than red and therefore does not overpower the delicate flavours of fish, dairy products and white meats. Red is richer and complements rich foods. In truth, guests will probably bring wine with them and unless the host has a very well-stocked cellar, these offerings will undoubtedly be consumed over the course of the evening – and why not?
Simplicity is Key
The simpler the menus, the more the host will feel in control, and the more he or she will enjoy your party which, don't forget, is the main purpose of the exercise.
Enjoy Hosting Your Dinner Party
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