The ideal… · 21 August 2023 · 2 min read
The ideal family dinner
Throwing a dinner for family and friends is a really nice way to make your life, and the lives of the people you love, feel a little bit richer. Here are our tips for a successful and uncomplicated evening.
Stick to the cold stuff. If you’re cooking different dishes, make just one or two hot ones. It’s easier to prep, serve and cook everything perfectly.
Keep it simple. There’s no need to overdo it. Cook whatever you’re comfortable with, but spend a little extra time on the plating — people really notice it.
Dim the light. Nothing creates a cosy ambiance like a well lit room. Get some candles. If you don’t want to splurge on flowers, go outside and pick some greens for the table.
Separate the dining table from the food table. Everyone decides when, how much and what they want to eat, and nobody has to interrupt a good conversation to pass a dish.
Have delicious non-alcoholic options. Indirectly encouraging people to drink less is always a good thing, especially if they have a car ride home. Pour them in a nice glass and most people won’t miss the cocktail at all.
Big dinner, small dessert. Small dinner, big dessert. Most people don’t enjoy feeling excessively full. Balance a heavy meal with a lighter dessert, and the other way around.
August dinner menu
- Burrata with yellow heirloom tomatoes, homemade pesto, fresh basil, olive oil and lemon zest
- Figs with chèvre, thyme, nectarine and soy soaked almonds
- Melon with stracciatella, dried cranberries and crushed pistachio
- Pasta with homemade tomato sauce
- Sliced melon, figs, olives
- Affogato with caramel for dessert
Pesto
- 3 bundles of fresh basil
- 3 dl extra virgin olive oil
- 1 handful toasted and salted cashews
- 1 tbsp pistachio
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Zest and juice of half a lemon
Mix everything with a hand mixer.