Kerrygold Moments

Dinner parties are a fun way to gather with friends and family, try extraordinary recipes we normally wouldn’t attempt, and maybe even show off some of our newly learned cooking skills! Yet, as awesome as they may be, dinner parties can also turn into stressful affairs if they aren’t planned properly. Here are our top hosting tips and hacks to help you plan an at-home dinner party that goes off without a hitch!

Planning the menu

Dinner parties are all about the food, so it only makes sense to put a lot of thought into what goes on the plate. While it can be tempting to delight your guests with an array of foods, there is an old but wise saying that sometimes, less is more. As a good rule of thumb, try to include the following in your menu:

• 1-2 appetizers
• 1 protein for the main course, alongside 2-3 different sides
• 1-2 desserts
• 1-2 drink options, alongside some water

Before planning your menu, it’s important to establish whether any of your guests have special dietary requirements or preferences. This will not only save you from an awkward conversation on the night but also give you enough time to research and prepare something extra special and suited to their needs.

Another top tip for planning the menu is to steer clear of any complicated recipes, especially if you haven’t tried them before. Dinner parties probably aren’t the best time to attempt your very first Baked Alaska or Béarnaise Sauce. If you’re keen to impress, remember that practice makes perfect.

Picking the portions

One of the main dinner party questions is how many portions to serve per guest, especially if your guest list is on the larger side. Here are some common dinner party eats and drinks alongside the recommended amount per person:

• Bite-sized appetizers: 4-6 pieces
• Soup: 1 cup
• Green salad: 2 cups
• Protein for the mains: 225g (before cooking)
• Potatoes: 1 potato
• Rice or other grains: 1 cup (cooked)
• Dinner rolls: 1-2
• Vegetables: 115g per vegetable
• Cakes or pies: 1 slice
• Puddings or ice cream: 1 cup
• Tea or coffee: 1x 300ml serving
• Soft drinks: 1-2x 240ml servings per hour
• Wine or cocktails: 2x 150ml servings for the first hour, and 1x 150ml serving for every additional hour
• Beer: 2x 350ml servings for the first hour, and 1x 350ml serving for every additional hour

Source: foodnetwork.com

Saving some pennies

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of planning a dinner party and lose track of how much money goes into the gathering. But that’s not to say that entertaining has to be expensive. Some great ways to stretch your budget are to build your menu around recipes with seasonal ingredients, which are often more affordable because they are more readily available. They’re also bound to be more flavourful!

You could also save some pennies by making all of your own dishes. Not only are they likely to be less pricey than hiring a private chef or opting for ready-made sides or salads from the store, but your guests are also sure to appreciate the care and effort you put into making the meal from scratch.

Shopping & prepping

Having a dinner party is only half the fun. You also get to enjoy the experience of shopping for and preparing all the exciting dishes! Making a shopping list is a simple step that can surprisingly be overlooked. Of all the stresses that go into planning a dinner party, forgetting an ingredient at the store should not be one of them. So, be sure to compile a shopping list and stick to this.

When to shop is another key consideration! Here’s a handy timeline to refer to:

• Two days before: Purchase wine, beer, and any other beverages you will be serving. This is also a good time to fill up your ice trays and pick up any extra bags of ice from the store.
• The day before: Shop for fresh ingredients like fruit and veggies, cheese, meat, and dairy. Depending on the recipes you choose, you can also start preparing dishes that can be refrigerated or frozen until the party. This is also a good time to start chopping, dicing, and slicing any veggies.
• The day of: Purchase things like bread or seafood to ensure maximum freshness, and prepare the final dishes. To help speed up the cooking process, take a note out of chefs’ books and set out all of the ingredients in small bowls on your kitchen counter before you start cooking. In-between prepping the food, don’t forget to decorate the table, too!

Source: nytimes.com

Small measures, big impact

Dinner party hosts needn’t have a degree in design to set up a beautiful dinner table. Fancy decorations also needn’t apply. Crisp white linen, fresh flowers with a touch of greenery, and some skilfully placed candles are often all that’s needed to create a cosy and charming setting. Another top tip is to start with the tablecloth you like and then select plates, silverware, glasses, and décor to complement it.

One area to splurge on is the glassware. Using the best glass for each beverage can help intensify its unique aroma and accentuate its colour and appearance. Good glassware is also beautiful in its own right and will also add to the table décor. Here is a helpful glassware guide to refer back to.

Timing is everything

With dinner parties, as with most things, timing is everything. For a standard three-course meal, it’s ideal to give guests 30 minutes to enjoy the appetizers and wait about 10-15 minutes after they have finished before serving the main course. The mains should take a minimum of 45 minutes. Once they are finished, it’s ideal to wait 30-45 minutes before bringing out the dessert. Remember to stay calm and casual on the surface, as a clock-watching host can make guests feel uncomfortable. It’s best to strike a balance between the planned timing as well as the natural flow of the evening.

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