recipes & tips

There’s no secret to creating a gorgeous, welcoming home. It’s remarkably simple: create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where both you and your guests feel comfortable. As host, you set the tone. If you kick back and enjoy yourself, your guests will, too. Whether it’s a pot-luck dinner in your kitchen, a buffet in your dining room, or a formal sit-down event for 30 people, here are a few pointers to remember:

1. Avoid being overly ambitious with your menu. Stick to what you know how to cook well, then wow your guests with it. Dressing to impress is one thing, but cooking to impress is asking for trouble.

2. It’s all about ease. Savory stews, soups, and casseroles are wonderful because they can be prepared (in part) ahead of time, and can sit until you’re ready to serve. Avoid soufflés and sauces that will collapse or curdle if you’re 15 minutes off schedule because your guests are enjoying themselves over cocktails, or someone is running late.

3. Food is like theatre, and first impressions count for everything. Choose a dish that is attractive as well as delicious, and that balances color, temperature, texture, and taste.

4. Start with the best possible ingredients and do as little to them as possible. The more ingredients and recipe steps involved, the bigger the potential disaster—unless you are an accomplished cook. A three-course meal including salad, main course, and dessert, is a recipe for success, and an easy one at that.

5. Don’t stress. Being together and sharing one another’s company is what’s important. Who makes the food and where it comes from is completely irrelevant. Serve take-out food, pre-purchased gourmet food, or drop off a casserole dish at your favorite restaurant and have them prepare a stew that you can reheat while you toss a store-bought salad. Buy a great-tasting tart rather than baking one from scratch. You can dress up your dishes by adding chopped chives or a dollop of non-fat yogurt. Punch up a staid salad with grilled prawns, chopped mint, and feta cheese. Even store-bought raviolis can be topped with a tangy tomato sauce and sprinkled with chopped Italian parsley for instant gourmet glamour.