A Spouse Club Idea: Going Gourmet and Staying Sane
A culinary adventure guide that will leave you smiling.
by Emily McKinley
Gourmet meals are challenging, from start to finish, and can be enough to drive even the most experienced cooks insane.
Gourmet is certainly not for everyone or every occasion. But, with the right planning, the perfect party and some patience, pulling off gourmet can be a treat for you and guests.
Guest list. The gourmet experience begins with the guest list. Invite friends and family who will be able to appreciate your efforts. Gourmet is best kept to a small group, and small groups will minimize both the grocery bill and the prep work.
Plan wisely. Gourmet preparations are often time consuming and require attention to detail. Start by examining your schedule and avoid days with other conflicts. Ensure that you have proper pre-event planning time. Try to give yourself a day in between work and family activities and the gourmet feast.
Menu mania. Generally, if you are up to the gourmet challenge, you probably also have an idea of what you want to prepare already. If not, look to your cookbook and recipe resources for predesigned menus. They pair complimentary dishes with one another and often suggest wine and other beverage accompaniments.
Make ahead. Many side items and desserts can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until they are ready to be served. Dishes that cannot be completed in advance may have components such as sauces or even dry ingredients that may be pre-measured and mixed to make last minute preparations easier.
If you plan to entertain in a formal dining room, preset the table.
Stagger with style. Stagger courses in such a way as to free up kitchen appliances and allow dishes to grace the dinner table at the peak of perfection. Be sure to plan courses, cooking times and temperatures appropriately and enlist help if you wish to enjoy all of the courses with your guests.
Gourmet is certainly not for everyone or every occasion. But, with the right planning, the perfect party and some patience, pulling off gourmet can be a treat for you and your guests.
Idea: Do you have a teenager in your life who would like to make a few extra bucks or get their curfew privileges extended for an evening? Enlist their help throughout the planning, cooking and execution processes. Have your helper circulate around the table, topping off beverage glasses and lending a hand clearing and serving courses. At the end of the night, your personal server will be happy to walk off with a little cash in hand, and you’ll be grateful for the extra enjoyment afforded you throughout the evening.