Having A Party? Plan Ahead

Here are some tips for hosting a dinner party:

Invite the guests and decide on a menu at least a week before the party.

Shop the day before the dinner. Make a list by looking over the recipe to see which ingredients you have and which you must buy.

Don’t forget extras such as napkins, beverages and bread.

If no appetizer is planned, buy something for your guests to snack on while you’re putting the final touches on dinner, such as pretzels and a mustard dipping sauce.

Make as many dishes in advance as possible. However, make only those dishes that will keep well in the refrigerator or on the counter.

Partially prepare the ingredients for the remaining dishes before the guests arrive. Do all of the chopping and measuring. Line up the ingredients in order of their use on the counter beside the stove. Set out the pans and utensils you will use. Set the table.

Wash the dishes as you go to ensure that you have enough counter space to do the final preparations.

Make a list of when each step of cooking should be started, and post it on a cabinet or the refrigerator. For example, list when to preheat the oven, when to turn on water for boiling pasta, and when to toss the salad. Use actual times - for example, “7:20 p.m. - preheat the oven.”

Offer a beverage to each guest as he or she arrives. Plan to mingle with your guests for about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. Plan to serve dinner about 45 minutes after they arrive.