Plan To Enjoy Yourself!

Whether it’s a frosty-themed cocktail party or the neighbours dropping by for a drink, the following tips will have you ready to entertain at the drop of a wool hat and keep you on top of things when throwing a dazzling Holiday dinner.

Stock the pantry

Having a few staples in the fridge and pantry will keep you ready for last‑minute après-ski parties or surprise visits from family and friends over the holidays. Entertaining will become second nature when your cupboard is stocked with these basics.

Nuts are healthy, easy to store and provide lots of variety beyond the
peanut—think pistachios, cashews, and pecans. You can easily serve them warm by roasting them tossed in some butter, salt, pepper and your favourite spice—then watch them disappear from the table. Keep jars of good olives, pickles and marinated red peppers handy; they make flavourful snacks on their own or great accompaniments with your fridge staples like Canadian Cheese and fresh vegetables. Make an easy dip by crumbling a saltier Canadian Cheese (Aged Cheddar, Feta, Blue, etc.) with plain yogurt and a dollop of mayo. Quick and foodie-friendly. For the kids, melted Cheddar on whole grain tortilla chips will satisfy even the fussiest belly. Open a jar of zesty salsa and you’ll have the adults digging in too.
As for beverages, always have cans of club soda on hand. Infinitely versatile, it adds sparkle to any beverage and makes an elegant thirst-quencher in a lowball glass with a wedge of lemon. Keep a few extra bottles of vino in the wine rack and have drink boxes on hand for the kids.

Think forward

Advance prep means less mess, an uncluttered kitchen (and thus, a clean workspace) and the impression that everything is under control. So plan a menu that can be made ahead of time; it’s still the best way to make sure you eat
when planned.

For a really smooth evening, plan your dinner around a delicious and fun dish like fondue or raclette. All you have to do is provide the cheese and accompaniments (slice some bread, put out some pickled onions, vegetables and charcuterie) and you’ll spend less time in the kitchen than if you had ordered take-out.

Don’t forget about brunch—a weekend morning may be the easiest time to coordinate busy schedules. Set your table the night before. Think about what serving dishes you’ll use and ready them ahead of time. Work the meal around a big batch of crepes (premade and kept warm in the oven) served with fresh fruit and Ricotta. Muffins, a quiche and a few local cheeses with some crusty bread will keep you snacking for as long as it takes to catch up on everyone’s life.

Delegate

Most importantly, delegate and get the whole family involved! Kids can take coats and boots while an adult uncorks wine and keeps the pitcher of cocktails filled as guests arrive. And always save a few chores for guests who will want to help-they’ll feel good being useful. Take all the help you can get so you can handle the most important job of all: feeling relaxed, greeting your guests and mingling.

Create a mood

Candles always create an intimate, elegant mood and votives are an inexpensive choice. Cluster a few on glass trays around the room, or set some in a row down the centre of the table—it’s simple elegance. Centrepieces can be as uncomplicated as a basket of lemons, or a sparkling bowl of festive ornaments. Throw on your favourite classic Holiday music or some jazz and your living room is ready for show time.

Attitude

The Holiday season is about sharing with your loved ones and your demeanour sets the tone. No matter what few things are left to do, make sure you are ready fifteen minutes before anyone arrives. You will feel refreshed and ready to greet your guests with warmth and genuine enthusiasm. And the most important thing to remember about hosting the perfect gathering is really quite simple: enjoy yourself, and so will everyone else.

For more tips on entertaining this Holiday season visit www.allyouneedischeese.ca/magazine

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