How to Entertain for a Crowd
There really is nothing more enjoyable than gathering together to eat delicious food with loved ones. Whether you’re preparing to host a large family dinner or a gameday party, the key to any successful get together is good food, fun people and a relaxed host.
Below are four tips to keep you sane when hosting a crowd — and your guests coming back for more!
1. Have a plan of action.
Plan exactly what you’ll be cooking, how much you’ll need, side dishes, and any other meal components you may need. The more dishes you offer, the less you need of each.
Here are a few rough guidelines on how much to cook per person:
- Entrees: about ½ lb. of meat or 4 to 5 ounces of pasta
- Sides: 3 to 4 ounces of veggies and 1 ½ ounces of grains
- Dessert: About two cookies or brownies.
You don’t need to overdo it…
2. Keep it simple.
Plan on making foods that are easy and generally well received among the group you are hosting.
Stick with tried and true recipes. Large gatherings aren’t the time to try your hand at something new. Unless you…
3. Prepare in advance.
Be ahead of the game. Preparing things ahead of time can be a huge time saver and stress reliever.
And, if you do want to try something different, practice a week or two before to make sure you know exactly how long it will take to make and that it’s a dish worth sharing! Speaking of sharing…
4. Share the workload.
People will often ask what they can bring. Don’t be afraid to delegate a few appetizers, side dishes, drinks or desserts to others. It will make your life a lot easier, and will make your guests feel like an even bigger part of the festivities!
