If you are having friends and family over for dinner then this is great, but that being said, you do need to make sure that you put in the work to make sure that it’s a success. This is easier said than done, but with these tips, you can drastically improve your chances of pulling off your next dinner party. 

Stick with Recipes you Know Well

Unless you thrive under pressure, you need to stick with recipes that you know very well. It may be that you have a favourite lasagne or that you have an enchilada recipe that you swear by. If you have a meal you know you are good at then this will help you out a lot when the time comes for you to host. If possible, you need to make sure that you choose something that doubles well too. It may be that you cook a soup, casserole or even a jambalaya. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier for you to get the result you want.

Consider Dishes You Can Make Ahead

If you want to take some of the pressure off yourself and if you want to make time to enjoy the evening that you are planning, then one thing you can do is try and pick a recipe or two that you can make ahead of time. You can even use a slow cooker if you want. Meatballs can be simmering away in the crock pot, and you can also serve a variety of cheeses and rolls for dessert. If you do this, then you will have way more time to mingle with your guests and this is a great way for you to relax and unwind between courses. If you want to make sure that you get the timing just right then one thing you can do is allow an extra hour or so for soups and casseroles, as sometimes if you’re doubling up, it can make things take a little longer than they should.

Know How Much Food You Need to Cook

It’s so important that you know how much food you need to cook. It’s always better to cook extra, rather than less, as this will ensure everyone has something. If you are cooking in bulk then you can always have leftovers the next day, so make sure that you are mindful of this. If you are cooking dessert too then you can always make individual portions, as this will help you to make enough for everyone. If you want a great dessert then you should try making ladyfingers, as they're easy, they last and everyone will love them.
 

Come up with a Game Plan

A couple of days before you host your big event, you need to come up with a game plan. Take a look at your recipes and then determine the order that you want to prepare and cook everything. You need to include any ingredients that you may need as well as any items that can be prepared in advance. If you can make a list then this will make it easier for you to take care of everything you need, without concern.

Don’t Fill your Oven Too Much

It is so important that you do not overstuff your oven. The more things you put in your oven, the longer everything will take to cook. One way for you to work around this would be for you to extend the time of casseroles as they will take longer to heat through. You also need to take into account the fact that a soup or a chilli will take longer to reheat than normal if you have a bigger batch. Understanding the oven you have will also make a major difference. You need to make sure that the temperature you are setting reflects the food you are cooking, and you also need to know where the hot spots are. If you can do this, then you will make it easier to get the result you want out of your cooking experience.
 

So, as you can see, cooking for the whole family doesn’t have to be hard, and if you follow this guide, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get the results you want without stressing yourself out. Remember that preparation is key and that sometimes things won’t go to plan. When this happens, keep your cool and always have a backup so you don’t end up being stuck. It’ll help you out a lot in the long run.

Until next time.

Cheerios!

***Hollie***