#514fc

Serves for 6

1 ½ acorn squash peeled and cut into cubes

 5 potatoes peeled and cut into cubes

4 Granny Smith apples peeled and cut in slices

2 small Italian tomatoes cut into cubes

6 tbsp of butter

3 tsp of brown sugar

1 onion chopped

4 cloves of garlic

3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

Salt pepper

3 tbsp of chopped parsley

1)        Preheat the oven at 180°C.

2)       In a bowl mix sliced apples, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.  Place on a baking sheet and Bake for about 15 minutes until they are tender.

3)       Meanwhile, in a cooking pot at medium heat, boil the squash, potatoes and garlic with water until the vegetables are cooked. (Add water until the vegetables are covered. Check with a fork to know if they are cooked).

4)      Use a hand mixer to purée the vegetables with butter, apples, tomato, onion and chopped parsley.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Hosting your foodies’ get-together

The 514FC Guideline

Choose your Guests

Your guest list is an important task when hosting a dinner. Choosing your guest list first will be easier for you to determine the menu that you will be cooking.

Deciding on the Menu

The choice of the dishes and drinks will depend on the occasion, the season, the time of the day or the number of guests. Opt for light dishes during summer and more nourishing ones in winter. Also, remember to ask if any of your guests have allergies and try to work around them to make their life easier. It is a thoughtful way to tell to your guests that you value them.

Send your invitations

The best way to go is to send your invitations at least two weeks ahead by email or calling them; try not to use facebook events. You know your guests and you usually have their numbers so give them a call and tell them about it, it is a much nicer way to do so. Also remember to ask to your guests if they are bringing a date and make sure to give them a deadline to confirm their presence.

Drinks

There are two choices, you can buy drinks on the market or make your own drink. What we like do is to make a large amount of a lemonade or punch and use a beverage dispenser. It is an easy and classy way to present your drink and there will be plenty for the whole evening. Now, that you have an idea of how to host a dinner it is time to get to work and make it happen. A detailed checklist will follow and will help you to get organized throughout the planning and also on the ‘Jour-J’.

  Checklist  

Three weeks ahead

Establish your budget

Choose the Menu

Make a list of your guests

Two weeks ahead

  Send your invitations with the relevant info

Make a list of  the ingredients you will need to cook

Make a shopping list for miscellaneous items such as cutlery, knives, spoons, forks, napkins, dishes, trays, beverages dispenser, tea and coffee cups, etc

Start buying any non-perishable items such as paper towel, toilet paper, little take-home boxes for leftovers, food cans, spices, etc

Make sure to go through your lists and buy anything that is non-perishable in advance

Prepare a playlist for the party: for a dinner choose something smooth like Classical Jazz, for lunch something a bit more dynamic , etc

Make seating arrangements

One Week ahead

  Send save the date emails to your guests with the menu

  Two days before the ‘Jour-J’

  Clean your house, the dinner room, the living room, the washroom, etc

Start organizing the venue for the dinner party

Prepare the bar

Make sure to make room in your fridge

Do your grocery shopping for your fresh ingredients

Make all dishes that can be preserved without any problems

The ‘Jour-J’

  Wake up early and have a good breakfast (you will need a lot of energy since you will have no time for yourself)

Start by making sure that the place is spotless

Start cooking and make sure to have everything ready on time

After you have finished cooking, light some incense

Go get ready and make sure that everything is set at least an hour before the guests start to come

Welcome your guests with a smile, a drink and enjoy your evening

Bon Ap’!!!