Feasting is one of the most traditional human behaviors. The act of sharing food in abundance engenders feelings of well-being, promotes social bonding and allows for the very best friendly competition. What better time to throw a lavish dinner than the holidays when friends and family will gather for good fellowship.
Of course, as holidays roll around and the day of feasting draws nearer, preparations for the big day can bring out feelings of anxiety and stress. If you have been honored with the task of preparing the holiday menu, don’t panic. This is your time to shine!
In the following article we will cover some important pointers to keep in mind when planning a feast that will be remembered for years to come – and avoiding (almost all) the stress and anxiety of cooking for a large crowd.
Top Pointers For Preparing aA Holiday Feast Menu
No matter the celebration, planning your menu for a feast includes some ubiquitously important “To-Dos”. Here is what you should know about mastering this somber and joyous task:
Preparations
Begin with writing out your menu ahead of time. Write out the menu on your kitchen blackboard and be sure to include your timeline as well. Don’t try to keep all the details in your head as this will lead to forgotten points that can throw the entire feast off kilter. Make sure the menu is clear, the details examined and the process times to perfection. Depending on how many people will be attending, this should be done days or weeks in advance.
Keep It Simple, Sweetie!
K.I.S.S. is the rule of thumb that allows the novice feast-meister to appear professional. This means selecting dishes that are well-within your capacity. If you will be making an especially tricky entré, don’t attempt the soufflé for dessert on top of it – unless you are fully confident in your capacity. Only “experiment” with one dish and preferably one that can be prepared ahead of time, as much as possible.
Scheduling Your Feast
If zero-hour is 8PM, begin scheduling backward from there and allow yourself plenty of wiggle room. A tight schedule is a recipe for stress and frustration. If you think you will need three-hours to prepare the meal, better give yourself 4 hours and work slowly and intuitively.
Food Prep
You will find that much of your meal can be prepared ahead of time, even a couple days in advance. So much of what you will be preparing can be cooked or partially cooked in advance. The preparations for your feast can begin the day before or even a couple days before and left in the fridge till the feast is assembled.
The Big Day
Half of the magic of your feast will be making everything seem effortless and natural. Remember that the point of feasting is not the food but the fellowship. If you are feeling stressed and anxious, your guests and fellow revelers will pick up on this and it can taint the celebration.
Make sure you have included that vital 10 – 20 minutes before serving the meal, in which you will rip off the apron, wash the smell of garlic and celery from your hands and even enjoy a glass of port, wine or a stein of beer. This is imperative to setting the perfect tone for the meal you will serve.
Having Fun With Your Holiday Menu
Remember it is more important that the atmosphere is festive and chill than punctual. Allow your time frame to run a few minutes late if it means you will be calm and chill when it comes time to eat. Furthermore, never make the mistake of running around in a harried frenzy while serving, this is just bad for the digestion, yours and everyone else’s.