Food preparation is a massive part of any holiday. It’s the event’s centerpiece and can make or break the night’s success; everybody will be standing in a semi-circle around your table, eagerly waiting for their food to arrive. Here are easy ways to prepare your holiday dinner!
Know your recipes
You should always have a backup plan in case the dish you choose to make doesn’t turn out as well as you thought it would. Finding recipes online or in cookbooks that use foods you aren’t comfortable with cooking can be nerve-wracking for some people (especially if they don’t taste good). That is why it’s best to pick a menu item you know will go over well with your family and friends. Everything goes much more smoothly when everyone knows what they will eat.
Be cautious of cooking time
If your holiday dinner is going to be at a house with limited facilities, you should consider how much time it will take to cook each item. People don’t usually like waiting an hour for the food to get out of the oven or having a plate rotation between their group and theirs. Cooking for too long might make people lose interest in the meal and move on to eating snacks or talking.
Use cheap dishes
There’s no need to spend much money on Thanksgiving dinner dishes; your family wants a reason to get together, not stare at expensive plates they can’t even eat off of (it’s just awkward). Instead, choose items that are easy to find and cheap but still have a nice look. If you want, you can also ask your friends or family members to bring a plate or two for the food; their family will most likely love a chance to use their china and be a part of the whole event.
Consider vegetarian options
Don’t automatically think that your holiday meal has to consist of only turkey – many other dishes might turn out better than you expect! To ensure that everybody enjoys eating your meal, put out at least two different kinds of meats and maybe one vegetarian item (to keep things fair).
Use these tips to make your holiday dinner turn out well! It’s essential that everyone feels welcome at your table and has something to enjoy. Don’t forget to try out different foods, as they might be some of your favorites!
