Some of us can’t wait to host huge family feasts on the holidays – the very idea of it fills us with excitement and energy. Then there are others of us that find the entire process a daunting and overwhelming. Some of these tips almost make me want to host diner at my place this year!
Bon Apatite magazine recently published those great tips for making a holiday get together a bit more manageable. Here are some highlights form the full article.
“There’s no such thing as an effortless Thanksgiving,” Ina Garten states plainly.
Words that may come as a shock to fans of the cookbook author—her latest, Go-To Dinners, is out now—who over the last 20-plus years has come to embody a particular and beloved brand of easy, breezy, oh, this old thing? American entertaining. But she’s quick to clarify that while the notion of “effortless entertaining” is a fantasy, hosting—be it a weeknight dinner for six or a Thanksgiving feast for two dozen—doesn’t have to feel like a trial. “You just have to be strategic about it,” she says. Which for her means a combination of canny decision-making, careful planning, and a good dose of humility. Whether this is your first time hosting Thanksgiving or your 30th, just relax: Ina’s got you.
8 tips from Ina Garten on how to make Holiday Meals a bit Easier
Plan your menu wisely.
For Garten, the biggest mistake a host can make is doing too much in order to impress. “It’s not about showing off,” she says. Prioritizing simplicity is key to pulling off any size of dinner party, and even more so when it comes to Thanksgiving.
Yes, you can please everyone.
Vegan. Gluten-free. Keto. “find creative ways to make everyone happy,” she explains. Her approach is to build a menu that has plenty of things that everyone can eat without singling anyone out.
Give yourself a pass on the apps.
Garten doesn’t let predinner snacks stress her out and neither should you. “I just like to make one thing and then buy the rest,” she says.
Make a (serious) game plan.
Shopping should be finished by Monday. The table should be set by Wednesday. Her cranberry conserve? She might make that one week out. Garten is a fierce advocate for creating an extremely detailed plan of action for at least the week leading up to Thanksgiving, and getting as much done ahead of time as humanly possible.
Help is always welcome.
If you thought you were emulating the Barefoot Contessa by insisting on doing everything yourself, think again. “I actually love to ask people for help,” Garten says. “I might put somebody in charge of wine if they like wine.” But what about the dreaded offer of a dish from that aunt who never cooks? She just shrugs. “I like to say yes because then my guests feel like they’re valued and a part of the process.”
Keep drinks flexible.
One place you’ll never find Garten on Thanksgiving is shaking drinks behind the bar. “Most cocktail recipes are for one drink, which drives me crazy. I always choose drinks that you can make in a pitcher and set on the bar so everyone can help themselves.”
“serve a nonalcoholic cocktail, like these Pomegranate Spritzers, that can be enjoyed as is or with the addition of booze.”
Buffet or bust.
When she entertains, Garten always prefers a buffet. For one, she likes people seated very close together—it’s more convivial that way—which leaves little room in the middle of the table for platters of food.
Set the table with care—but not too much care.
There’s a fine line between a well-set table and a stuffy, overly formal one, and Garten likes to err on the side of simple elegance.
Summary
Whether your holiday meals are as fancy as Ina’s or not, preplanning and simplifying things a bit can make the experience a lot more enjoyable. While you may want to impress your guests, too much stress from going all out will make it harder for you to enjoy your guests – and possibly harder for them to enjoy you. In addition, your spouse/partner may not not enjoy the long list of tasks you put on them to meet your hosting expectations.
Read the Full Article
Source: Bon Appetite