Christmas dinner is the highlight of the Yuletide season. It is a chance for you to get together with loved ones; it is also a good excuse to deviate from your usual healthy diet.
But if you are like most people, you worry about how to survive Christmas dinner preparation every season. It doesn?t have to be rocket science, though. Simplify your life by following these tips:
Before Christmas dinner
You should start thinking about your Christmas dinner plans at least a couple of weeks prior to the date. Sit down with your family and make a tentative dinner menu. This way, you?ll know what kind of food your family prefers for that special night.
Make a list of all the ingredients and supplies you will need for the dinner. Include not only food and drinks but also items for the table setting and the decorations for the dining area.
If you are planning to order any items, such as ham or cake, better reserve it a few days early to avoid the last-minute rush.
A potluck is always a great idea because it saves you cooking time and effort (and cash). Just make sure you discuss the menu thoroughly with family members and guests so as not to have double-ups.
While turkey and goose have traditionally graced the Christmas dinner table, you may also consider other alternatives, especially if you?ve been serving the same fare year after year.
How about glazed ham with pineapple and cherries? Roast beef and lamb are also good alternatives for smaller groups. For a healthier meal, try putting up a salad bar or a cook-your-own-barbecue hibachi grill.
During dinner
Place food items in strategic positions on the table, preferably grouping them according to food type ? appetizers, main courses, sidings, and desserts. Use a buffet style to save on space.
If the table is long, consider placing two of the same dishes at opposite ends for the convenience of the guests. Keep ice, wine, and other beverages in a large chiller bin, which should be positioned within easy reach.
Designate a small table to contain all the utensils ? napkins, forks, knives, cups, straws, and condiments. You can inform your guests about the setup so that they don?t have to keep asking you.
Disposable plates and utensils are ideal, to minimize after-dinner cleanups, leaving you with more quality time to spend with your guests.
Make sure you have a large trash bag or bin where guests can throw out used paper cups and plates.
After dinner
Washing the dishes can be fast and fun if you get your family to help, by packaging the chore as another chance to spend quality time together as a family during the holidays. If you don?t have a dishwasher, assign different people to clear up and pre-rinse the flatware, soap, rinse, dry, and store.
Got stains on your tablecloth? Just rub the area with a mixture of dishwashing detergent and water, or lemon juice and warm water, to remove the stain.
Any food droppings on the carpet can be removed by hand. As soon as possible (probably the next day), rub the area with a solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water, rinse out, and blot dry.
For stubborn stains, use a mixture of ammonia and warm water (for regular carpets only). Scrub till the stain is removed, then rinse and blot dry. With the right help and know-how, post-Christmas house cleaning can be easy ? maybe even easier than the holiday itself.
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Christmas is a time of indulgence! Learn how to make traditional eggnog from scratch in this free how-to instructional video clip on classic Christmas cooking. Expert: Louis Ortiz Bio: Louis Ortiz is a professional chef instructor at a culinary institute. He has been working in the culinary industry for 10 years. Filmmaker: Emily Thomas
Source: http://marvellousoffers.com/77290/cooking-christmas-dinner/
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