Hosting 101
HOSTING
Hosting can be a daunting prospect unless you plan ahead. I’ve been hosting for so many years now, I find I love it! Recently, while watching the show “The Bear” I was inspired to offer a fine dining experience to my supper club, which is made up of three couples. We meet once a month. Inspiration moved me to create a four course meal for the six of us.
First things first, I crated my meal plan. I always plan it so I don’t have to be held hostage in the kitchen while everyone else is socializing. I write out a schedule of which Items I can prepare ahead, and what days I need to begin attacking my event. This dinner party was Saturday evening.
MENU
Champagne Appetizer
Chilled fresh peach soup served with a caviar canape and champagne
Caprese Salad
Vine ripe fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella, home grown basil, with sweet balsamic drizzle
Lemon Salmon Piccatta
Roasted, skinless, Atlantic salmon served on a bed of angel hair pasta, covered with a lemon caper cream sauce and home grown lemon basil, served with roasted garlic, Parmesan, rosemary points
Fresh Coconut Cake
Moist white cake with a sweet fresh coconut filling, covered in a light cream frosting, and smothered in shredded fresh coconut
Decaf Espresso
&
Decaf Espresso Martini
Upon Request
Tuesday – Shop
Wednesday – Prepare dessert (This cake takes several days to meld)
Thursday – Chill champagne & prepare soup
Friday – Clean house & create a beautiful table setting (I make my own floral décor), prepare egg mixture for canapes
Saturday – Vacuum once more, make sure the house smells good, thaw salmon if frozen, prepare lemon caper sauce, cut herbs (I grow my own), slice tomato and mozzarella. At the 11th hour, I set mood lighting and music.
Now Food! Prepare salmon, (slightly under cook it) cover and set in warm oven. Prepare salads, and set aside. Prepare toast points. Wrap in foil, place in oven with salmon. Set large pot of boiling water on stove, turn off and cover in wait for pasta. ( If the water is already warmed up it won’t take long for it to come to a boil at the designated time.) (Angle hair cooks so fast I wait to cook it while everyone is finishing their salad and chatting.
* One couple was a half an hour late. The other couple was an hour late. I sat back and sipped my wine until they all showed up! (Since most everything was already prepared, I didn’t have to worry about anything being over cooked)
Now I spring into action serving beverages. While others are greeting each other, I ladle soup into pretty bowls swirling a cream design on top. I spread egg on bagel chips and top with drained caviar to be placed along side the soup.
As my partner pours champagne, I set the appetizer plates on the table.
When we finish our appetizers, the plates are cleared and salad is served. This is when I turn on the pot of water to boil and place the sauce on the stove, covered, on very low. I don’t want it to scorch.
While someone else clears the salad plates, I cook the pasta, (only takes 5 minutes) Heat the salmon, well (this completes the cooking) make sure the sauce is hot. Drain pasta and create the plates. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve.
Oooos and Awwws will abound!
Clear empty plates and present that beautiful cake!
Coffee anyone?
If you need help hosting, reach out to me. I’ll help you wow your friends and family!
Deborah@calvertstyle.com