You’re doing it! That’s great. It’s going to be fun! I’m excited that you’ll be sharing a tasty occasion with family or friends (or both!) and that you’ll be cooking from my new book along the way. Here are some tips to make your occasion even more marvellous and memorable.
PSST It’s definitely about you, not me, but I’ve just got to take a moment to say YAY. It was my vision when planning this book that people would create exactly these occasions from my menus. I am so thrilled that it’s all really happening. Thank you for getting on board.
TOP TIPS FOR COURSE ALLOCATION
If you’re organising a progressive dinner party, look at the map and work out a logical order. Consider the homes too: perhaps the person with a lovely garden or balcony could kick it off with nibbles and cocktails and the person with a large dining table might host main course. Consider designated drivers or, if you’re walking, whether it makes sense to drop ingredients or dishes at someone’s house in advance.
If your occasion is bring-a-plate, give the people travelling the furthest dishes that are easy to make ahead and transport. If you’re the host, choose the dish or dishes that you’re making then take charge of who is making what. Think about your guests’ strengths; don’t give a perennial latecomer the starters, or a newbie Thermomix® cook the most complex dish. If there are more people than dishes, you can ask guests to bring flowers, wine, coloured napkins, drinks for the kids or ice. People love to feel useful!
GENERAL COOKING TIPS
Firstly, clear the decks. Make sure there’s plenty of room in the fridge, surfaces are clear and you’ve got supplies to feed any little people that might not fit into your dinner party schedule. Next, go over the recipes so you’re not flummoxed at the last minute by unexpected ingredients or an instruction to ‘set in refrigerator for two hours’. Then put some music on and make a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine and enjoy the act of cooking: it’s a generous and lovely thing you’re doing. If you get stuck, phone a friend to pick up an ingredient, cook an extra dish or offer advice. You can also message me at facebook.com/danivalentcooking and hopefully I’ll be around to assist.
Styling Tips
The main thing is that you’re doing it and it’s absolutely not necessary to style your occasion. However, if you’re a decorating type, you’ll probably find it fun to theme it up. See chapters for particular ideas: don’t forget your piñata for Mexican! You can also ask your guests to dress up, either in accordance with the dinner or with a playful dress code: ‘wear a splash of red’, ‘remind me of my Thermomix®’ or ‘next time in Paris’. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Set the tone
Think about music, table settings, lighting and keeping the cat off the table, but mostly just be relaxed! My husband has a habit of beginning a home improvement project as guests are arriving. I am totally not joking that he was painting the fence when friends arrived for a baby shower, then there was the time he decided to reconfigure the trestles on our outdoor tables as people arrived for a barbecue. What’s that noise? Oh, it’s just Karl under the table with a drill. (Love you, babe! XX) Anyway, the point is, we still had a good time because I am a saint when friends, family and good food are together other niggles tend to melt away. When the dog eats the oysters, the key ingredient gets left at the checkout, a kid pulls the tablecloth to the floor, my mantra is always, ‘We’ll laugh about this later’.
Styling Tips
The main thing is that you’re doing it and it’s absolutely not necessary to style your occasion. However, if you’re a decorating type, you’ll probably find it fun to theme it up. See chapters for particular ideas: don’t forget your piñata for Mexican! You can also ask your guests to dress up, either in accordance with the dinner or with a playful dress code: ‘wear a splash of red’, ‘remind me of my Thermomix®’ or ‘next time in Paris’. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Set the tone
Think about music, table settings, lighting and keeping the cat off the table, but mostly just be relaxed! My husband has a habit of beginning a home improvement project as guests are arriving. I am totally not joking that he was painting the fence when friends arrived for a baby shower, then there was the time he decided to reconfigure the trestles on our outdoor tables as people arrived for a barbecue. What’s that noise? Oh, it’s just Karl under the table with a drill. (Love you, babe! XX) Anyway, the point is, we still had a good time because I am a saint when friends, family and good food are together other niggles tend to melt away. When the dog eats the oysters, the key ingredient gets left at the checkout, a kid pulls the tablecloth to the floor, my mantra is always, ‘We’ll laugh about this later’.
FAQ
FAQ
My home is too small/messy/modest and my kitchen is tiny. Can I really entertain?
Yes! I’ve often stood in my modest kitchen-living area before people arrive and only seen dirty dishes in the sink, the dog’s muddy footprints and some abandoned sneakers. Then people arrive and suddenly we’re talking and snacking and someone’s offering to pour drinks. It’s amazing how the focus turns quickly from perceived deficiencies to the simple happiness of being together, eating and drinking. Start small and simple and see if I’m right.
Okay, where do I get started?
Brunch, afternoon tea or a movie night. Just invite one or two people, make a couple of dishes and enjoy. The Bacon and Cinnamon Scrolls with Salted Maple Glaze make for a simple but show-stopping brunch or afternoon tea. A slightly more restrained afternoon tea option is the Apple, Pear and Bay Leaf Cake. For movie night, make the Rhubarb and Vanilla Rhumba, Herb-Salted Chicken and Chickpea Casserole and Peanut Butter Parfait, then serve the Spiced Nut Clusters with the film.
I’m a bit worried about trying new recipes. Can you advise?
People often say that you should try a recipe out before you make it for special occasions. Yes, great advice but, realistically, it’s not always possible. What you definitely should do is read through the recipe and envisage each of the steps. If you’re looking at the Chip, you can step through it without cooking – this can be very helpful!
My home is too small/messy/modest and my kitchen is tiny. Can I really entertain?
Yes! I’ve often stood in my modest kitchen-living area before people arrive and only seen dirty dishes in the sink, the dog’s muddy footprints and some abandoned sneakers. Then people arrive and suddenly we’re talking and snacking and someone’s offering to pour drinks. It’s amazing how the focus turns quickly from perceived deficiencies to the simple happiness of being together, eating and drinking. Start small and simple and see if I’m right.
Okay, where do I get started?
Brunch, afternoon tea or a movie night. Just invite one or two people, make a couple of dishes and enjoy. The Bacon and Cinnamon Scrolls with Salted Maple Glaze make for a simple but show-stopping brunch or afternoon tea. A slightly more restrained afternoon tea option is the Apple, Pear and Bay Leaf Cake. For movie night, make the Rhubarb and Vanilla Rhumba, Herb-Salted Chicken and Chickpea Casserole and Peanut Butter Parfait, then serve the Spiced Nut Clusters with the film.
I’m a bit worried about trying new recipes. Can you advise?
People often say that you should try a recipe out before you make it for special occasions. Yes, great advice but, realistically, it’s not always possible. What you definitely should do is read through the recipe and envisage each of the steps. If you’re looking at the Chip, you can step through it without cooking – this can be very helpful!
I’m nervous about relinquishing control of dishes to my guests. What if they have a different style to me?
Chances are they absolutely will have a different approach. Perhaps you follow recipes to the letter but they’re a little more dollop-and-dash in their approach (or vice versa). Their ‘roughly chop’ might be your ‘fine dice’. Your ‘season to taste’ is their ‘get me a glass of water’. You really just have to roll with it: let it happen and enjoy the fact that you’re not in charge of everything. See it as an opportunity: I always learn something when I’m cooking with other people.
I really want to invite someone who doesn’t have a Thermomix® (yet)!
Do it! Your Entertaining event is the perfect opportunity to showcase Thermomix®. Can you invite them over to cook with you, or match them up with another friend who is Thermomix®-equipped? Or perhaps you can give them the task of bringing wine or ice or something to help style your occasion.
What about shopping?
Think about your shopping list well in advance. Check up on any ingredients you’re not sure about and, if you’re concerned, ring shops ahead to ensure they’re in stock. I usually write a shopping list that includes everything I’ll need to use in my menu then I cross things off in the kitchen. Yes, I’ve always got apple cider vinegar…except when I haven’t noticed that I’ve run out!
I’m nervous about relinquishing control of dishes to my guests. What if they have a different style to me?
Chances are they absolutely will have a different approach. Perhaps you follow recipes to the letter but they’re a little more dollop-and-dash in their approach (or vice versa). Their ‘roughly chop’ might be your ‘fine dice’. Your ‘season to taste’ is their ‘get me a glass of water’. You really just have to roll with it: let it happen and enjoy the fact that you’re not in charge of everything. See it as an opportunity: I always learn something when I’m cooking with other people.
I really want to invite someone who doesn’t have a Thermomix® (yet)!
Do it! Your Entertaining event is the perfect opportunity to showcase Thermomix®. Can you invite them over to cook with you, or match them up with another friend who is Thermomix®-equipped? Or perhaps you can give them the task of bringing wine or ice or something to help style your occasion.
What about shopping?
Think about your shopping list well in advance. Check up on any ingredients you’re not sure about and, if you’re concerned, ring shops ahead to ensure they’re in stock. I usually write a shopping list that includes everything I’ll need to use in my menu then I cross things off in the kitchen. Yes, I’ve always got apple cider vinegar…except when I haven’t noticed that I’ve run out!
Should I have everything prepared ahead?
This is Australia in 2017! Your friends and family are very unlikely to expect a formal dinner party with table service. I think it’s more fun and dynamic if people are up and about, helping out, being involved. It’s a good way to encourage mingling and it also reduces the host’s workload. So, in short, prepare ahead if you can and don’t stress if you can’t. I do like to have most of my ingredients and basic preparations done (vegetables washed, ghee made, sugar syrup done) but I’m happy to cook as I go. (Of course, cooking as you go also allows you to show off your Thermomix® for those that don’t yet have one!)
What happens if a guest cancels at the last minute?
Gah! It’s a major shame but rule number one is: don’t panic. Think about the dish they were going to bring. Is it something you can pull together yourself or delegate to someone cool, calm and collected? If not, what might replace it? Flick through the chapter for other ideas. Doubling up quantities of a dish that’s already on the menu or adding an extra nibble or two should fill the gaps of a missing course.
What’s the etiquette about cleaning up? Can I do dishes at someone else’s house?
That all depends. I have some friends who can’t keep away from my sink and I’ve given up trying to stop them. Of course, I appreciate their suds work too. I’ve also stood doing dishes at someone else’s place because I just can’t stand to leave them with a clean up. Conversely, sometimes it’s clear that the kitchen is another’s domain and must remain so. I might collect plates but that’s about it. Ooh, and a major warning: many households have strict protocols for stacking the dishwasher. Either steer clear or seek instructions.
Should I have everything prepared ahead?
This is Australia in 2017! Your friends and family are very unlikely to expect a formal dinner party with table service. I think it’s more fun and dynamic if people are up and about, helping out, being involved. It’s a good way to encourage mingling and it also reduces the host’s workload. So, in short, prepare ahead if you can and don’t stress if you can’t. I do like to have most of my ingredients and basic preparations done (vegetables washed, ghee made, sugar syrup done) but I’m happy to cook as I go. (Of course, cooking as you go also allows you to show off your Thermomix® for those that don’t yet have one!)
What happens if a guest cancels at the last minute?
Gah! It’s a major shame but rule number one is: don’t panic. Think about the dish they were going to bring. Is it something you can pull together yourself or delegate to someone cool, calm and collected? If not, what might replace it? Flick through the chapter for other ideas. Doubling up quantities of a dish that’s already on the menu or adding an extra nibble or two should fill the gaps of a missing course.
What’s the etiquette about cleaning up? Can I do dishes at someone else’s house?
That all depends. I have some friends who can’t keep away from my sink and I’ve given up trying to stop them. Of course, I appreciate their suds work too. I’ve also stood doing dishes at someone else’s place because I just can’t stand to leave them with a clean up. Conversely, sometimes it’s clear that the kitchen is another’s domain and must remain so. I might collect plates but that’s about it. Ooh, and a major warning: many households have strict protocols for stacking the dishwasher. Either steer clear or seek instructions.
