There's nothing quite like the experience of hosting your first holiday dinner for family or friends. If you don't plan ahead, you might join the ranks for many who, just hours before dinner is set to begin, find themselves in a kitchen that looks like a bomb hit it. You're sure to wonder just how your mom or grandma ever put it all together, and made it look easy. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to manage it quite well too.
To begin with, the way to best survive your first big dinner is to plan the day ahead of time. It's not just about the cooking, but about the arrangements. For instance, where will your guests eat? How is your supply of dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and serveware? A good place to start is by making a list of the items you'll need, and get them in advance of the big day. You'll want to consider who your guest will be - is it your friends who will be quite content with a casual event, or is it your in-laws who you need to impress?
The next step in planning is coming up with your menu. This is an area where emotions run high. Thanksgiving, to me, means my grandmother's stuffing. A dear friend says it is not a holiday without green bean casserole. However, unless the family is moving their celebration en masse to your house, you probably won't be cooking for the crowds that we usually associate with holiday dinners.
If this is your first holiday dinner, and you need to allow for that in your planning. You probably aren't yet experienced at cooking a lot of dishes in large quantities, so edit your list. Include some sentimental favorites, maybe add something new you think is interesting, but keep it as simple as possible. Assemble your recipes (from the family files, cookbooks, or the Internet) and write down a shopping list. Again, check and see what equipment the recipes need.
So you have your kitchen supplies in order, and now you can concentrate on the food. Double check your grocery list to make sure you have it all covered - this way you'll avoid last minute dashes to the store. If you're planning the meal around a main dish such as ham or turkey, make sure you have the ordered or purchased days in advance. Then purchase the rest of the items you'll need for your side dishes and drinks, waiting until the day or 2 before to buy the most perishable items.
A week ahead of time, you'll want to prepare your home and especially the kitchen. Do a thorough cleaning including a good scrubbing on countertops and sinks for a sparkling clean kitchen. Try to avoid buying too many foods not related to the holiday so that you'll have the room you need in the fridge and the cabinets. Place the things you'll need the most in easy reach of your cooking area the day before the holiday.
The next step is the most important thing you can do to ensure a stress free day. Get out all of the recipes. Now make a schedule. The schedule should have every step you will need to prepare every dish listed and the time you will need to do it. That way, at 9am on the big day you know exactly what you should be doing. Pin the schedule somewhere easy to see. As you complete each task, mark it off. That you won't forget in the stress of the moment if you remembered to baste the turkey. Don't forget to enjoy the holiday!
To begin with, the way to best survive your first big dinner is to plan the day ahead of time. It's not just about the cooking, but about the arrangements. For instance, where will your guests eat? How is your supply of dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and serveware? A good place to start is by making a list of the items you'll need, and get them in advance of the big day. You'll want to consider who your guest will be - is it your friends who will be quite content with a casual event, or is it your in-laws who you need to impress?
The next step in planning is coming up with your menu. This is an area where emotions run high. Thanksgiving, to me, means my grandmother's stuffing. A dear friend says it is not a holiday without green bean casserole. However, unless the family is moving their celebration en masse to your house, you probably won't be cooking for the crowds that we usually associate with holiday dinners.
If this is your first holiday dinner, and you need to allow for that in your planning. You probably aren't yet experienced at cooking a lot of dishes in large quantities, so edit your list. Include some sentimental favorites, maybe add something new you think is interesting, but keep it as simple as possible. Assemble your recipes (from the family files, cookbooks, or the Internet) and write down a shopping list. Again, check and see what equipment the recipes need.
So you have your kitchen supplies in order, and now you can concentrate on the food. Double check your grocery list to make sure you have it all covered - this way you'll avoid last minute dashes to the store. If you're planning the meal around a main dish such as ham or turkey, make sure you have the ordered or purchased days in advance. Then purchase the rest of the items you'll need for your side dishes and drinks, waiting until the day or 2 before to buy the most perishable items.
A week ahead of time, you'll want to prepare your home and especially the kitchen. Do a thorough cleaning including a good scrubbing on countertops and sinks for a sparkling clean kitchen. Try to avoid buying too many foods not related to the holiday so that you'll have the room you need in the fridge and the cabinets. Place the things you'll need the most in easy reach of your cooking area the day before the holiday.
The next step is the most important thing you can do to ensure a stress free day. Get out all of the recipes. Now make a schedule. The schedule should have every step you will need to prepare every dish listed and the time you will need to do it. That way, at 9am on the big day you know exactly what you should be doing. Pin the schedule somewhere easy to see. As you complete each task, mark it off. That you won't forget in the stress of the moment if you remembered to baste the turkey. Don't forget to enjoy the holiday!
About the Author:
Consider purchasing a classic piece of cookware from the Romertopf clay cookware line for your holiday cooking needs. One of their more popular items is this fabulous stoneware vertical chicken roaster.
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