Planning the right menu for the occasion can make for a memorable meal.
A scrumptious meal, dessert to-die-for and good company make for a memorable affair. Base the menu for any occasion on the reason for the gathering, guests, time of the event, your budget and whether it's a formal or casual gathering. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Establish your menu by beginning with the reason for the meal. A dinner to honor a dignitary, business chief or head of an organization, for example, usually takes on a formal tone. Start with pre-dinner cocktails and serve items such as spiced nuts and marinated olives. Begin dinner with an appetizer of soup or salad, followed by a main course of fish, meat, or poultry with vegetables, potato or rice. End on a sweet note with dessert.
Celebrating a milestone like a birthday or graduation calls for a casual menu. Finger foods, dishes served at room temperature, or casseroles are good options. A fancy cake calls attention to the celebratory aspect of the event.
2. Foods appropriate in the morning are not always welcome at night. Create a menu for breakfast or brunch starting with an egg dish. Serve breakfast meats separately. Offer a fruit salad and juices, coffee and tea. Include muffins or danishes.
Lunch menus are best when not overly complicated. Soup, salads, sandwiches plus dessert are filling without leaving guests overstuffed.
Dinner menus can range from comfort foods to elegant presentations but generally include a main dish, starchy and vegetable side dishes and dessert.
3. Set up a buffet style service for informal affairs if your guest list is large. Offer soup, salads, stews, meat and poultry, vegetable dishes and items like deli meats and cheeses to allow guests to make their own sandwiches. Set up a separate area for desserts.
Ask guests to indicate food preferences and allergies to allow you to cater to everyone. Offer at least one filling vegetarian dish or prepare the meatless version of your main dish. Allow guests to add items like nuts to their own meals. Include steamed and raw vegetables along with spices, oil, vinegars and vinaigrettes.
Keep meals for children simple. Mashed potatoes, yam, macaroni and cheese, simple vegetables, hot dogs, mini burgers and ice cream usually goes down well with a young crowd.
4. Serve homey, comfort foods and family favourites for informal family gatherings.
Bring out your inner gourmet for black-tie affairs. Artfully composed dishes utilizing luxe ingredients are expected. Start the meal with consomm , follow by a fish course, main dish, salad served separately, cheese selection with fruit and nuts and finish with dessert.
5. Get creative if you're on a tight budget. Look to earthy, rustic dishes from cultures known for inventiveness and frugality in food preparation. Stretch your by serving chicken thighs, shrimp flavored jambalaya, vegetable dishes and salads. Make an economical but tasty dessert like a French Tarte Tatin. Flour, butter, sugar and apples make this a beautiful ending.
Tags: main dish, comfort foods, items like, make memorable, meat poultry