The Budget Chef
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Easy Entertaining For Beginners - Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid
By Patricia Mendez
If you are new to cooking and hosting dinner parties, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed with the thought of pulling off successful entertaining. Most stress that hosts feel come from making the 5 mistakes below. They are easy to avoid; just follow the solutions.
Mistake#1: Hosts that try to do all of the preparation for a party on the day of the event. They clean the house, shop, cook AND have their guests over in the same day.
Solution #1: Pace yourself! Always try to have 2-3 days in preparation for a party. That might sound like a lot to you in our instant microwave world, but it is well worth the effort. You will feel more confident and you won't be exhausted. For instance, two days before a party, clean the house, reread the recipes and make a shopping list. One day before, do the shopping and some of the food preparation. The morning of your party, do most of the remaining food preparation and decorating. Spend some time each day for two to three days before a party in preparation.
Mistake #2: Whether you are cooking for a crowd or hosting dinner for two, you should always prepare a recipe you have never made at least once before your event. If it is a large recipe, simply cut the recipe in half and try it a couple of weeks before your dinner party. Also, carefully read through each recipe before you are ready to start putting ingredients in mixing bowls and firing up the stove. These tips will give you time to fix any mistakes you might make, help you gain confidence and set a relaxed and warm tone for your dinner party.
Mistake#3: Rushing around in frantic preparation as your guests are arriving. This mistake is usually a result from making the first two mistakes above. Not being organized and not pacing yourself and being unfamiliar with recipes you are preparing can lead to being way behind schedule. This sets the wrong tone for your dinner party. It is awkward for guests when they arrive on time and the host is either away at the store for a last minute trip or is still elbow-deep in preparation.
Solution #3: Being organized is the key to hosting fun, satisfying and successful casual at-home entertaining. Remember, beginners should "Do a few things and do those well." Concentrate on the food, the table and the tone that you set as host. You want to be able to be ready to greet your guests as they arrive. Make introductions, get a beverage into their hands and you will immediately put your guests at ease and set a friendly tone for your dinner party.
Mistake#4: Not being able to problem-solve and letting mistakes and unexpected problems ruin your evening.
Solution #4: Even the most seasoned hosts can deal with unexpected problems when they entertain. If something goes wrong (the ice maker breaks, the smoke alarm goes off, one of the dishes you will serve has taken a turn for the worse), don't panic. Simply solve the problem and move on. The ability to be flexible and not let it ruin your evening is a plus.
Mistake#5: Choosing a menu that is too difficult and fussy.
Solution#5: When hosts are looking for a dinner party menu they should choose one that can be mostly prepared in advance. This is especially helpful advice for a beginner. Many books and internet sites put together complete menus if you are not sure what to serve. I believe entertaining should fit your life so another great tip is to prepare the main meal items and use your favorite purchased items to fill in your menu. For instance, purchase a fantastic dessert instead of making one. Use a purchased dip or washed and bagged salad greens instead of cleaning and cutting your own. These all save time and allow you to concentrate on doing a few things well.
Avoiding these top five mistakes will help you and your guests to enjoy your dinner party. You will be less stressed and gain confidence. Kudos to you for your desire to give this wonderful gift of delicious food and warm hospitality to your family and friends!
Patricia Mendez, copyright 2008
Patricia is the author of the book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners. The book is an award-winning finalist in the cookbook: general category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.
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