subject: How To Prepare A Christmas Dinner When You Can't Cook [print this page] Few things are met with as much expectation as the Christmas meal. Family and friends come from far and near, ready to see the holiday display of delicacies. Unfortunately for many, cooking the Christmas meal can be anything but merry; and the results anything but jolly.
So what do you do when the guest list is long and the expectations are high? All hope is not lost. There are many ways to avoid holiday meal humiliation. Even non-cooks have the chance to put out a meal that could rival any top chef, is they use a few tricks of the trade.
Make the Simple Beautiful
If you are determined to cook the meal yourself, make the meal simple but the table beautiful. Many simple recipes for holiday favorites can be found on the internet along with a corresponding rating for difficulty. Even beginning, reluctant or truly rotten cook can plug their way through most simple recipes and come up with something presentable. The trick is to take something that may be a little common and make it look festive. A few simple things can take a modest meal and make it memorable.
- Plate the foods on unusual, special, elegant or festive dishes.
- Use fresh herbs to garnish the dishes.
- Adding a centerpiece, such as fresh flowers, adds to the tables flair.
- Be sure to take the time to arrange the table setting so it fits the mood you are trying to achieve.
Supplement with Ready-Made
Chances are that your guest will not think poorly of you if you add some ready made foods to the menu, and are likely to have done the same in holidays past. In response to the busy 24/7 American lifestyle, many grocery and specialty stores have ready made side dishes. These go well beyond pre-cut vegetables. Many stores carry a wide range of side dishes that would please even the most discerning diner. Desserts also provide an opportunity to purchase a wide variety of traditional as well as unique treats that would be a pleasing addition to any meal.
- Choose traditional holiday sides to supplement the main course.
- Use pre-made sides and concentrate on the remaining dishes.
- Choose one thing that you do well and concentrate on one showpiece item.
Go Whole Hog
These days, you can buy whole holiday meals already prepared. While this may seem like a cop-out to some, they are becoming more and more popular. Many restaurants, supermarkets and specialty grocery stores provide Christmas meal menus from which to choose. Everything from the turkey or ham, cooked and seasoned to perfection, to herb vegetables and fresh baked bread. Would you be cheating guests from a home cooked meal? While the holiday meal is an important event, it is the opportunity to gather around it that is the true attraction. Homemade or not, a pleasant meal and lively company are hard to beat. Perhaps it is a question of the conscience relieved by the confession that chose to let those who can, do.
