The 3 Most Important Elements Of A Perfectly Balanced Dinner Party
Having a few friends over for a meal is one of the most rewarding types of social affairs. It gives you a chance to show off your decorating skills and your passion for cooking, all while getting to spend some time with some of the best people in your life. But while you may be familiar with the name of this social event itself, you might not know the rules behind it. There are a few things to keep in mind when hosting a dinner party.
According to a survey done by Growth from Knowledge, 50% of Americans host people in their homes at least once a month. And according to PR Newswire, experts expect that statistic to continue to grow post-pandemic. So if there's been any time to host a dinner party, it's now. And while you might have considered this event to be pretty straightforward in the past, remember there's a lot more that goes into planning a night like this than meets the eye. Lucky for you, there are really only three things to keep in mind when planning the perfect dinner for your party.
Dinner party 101
According to The New York Times, the first step to any good dinner party is to plan ahead. Make your to-do lists and send out invitations as far in advance as you can to make sure you're not stressing about the event. Per The Washington Post, this is especially vital if you have bigger ideas you want to tackle like a big birthday bash or an ambitious party theme.
Another important thing to have for your dinner party is a well-rounded perspective. Don't center the evening solely around the dinner, but the entire experience. This is a chance to be in good company, so don't spend all of your time stressing about recipes. Stick with what you know and let yourself have fun with the planning, via The Wall Street Journal.
And lastly per The New York Times, never be afraid to ask for help. Planning a dinner party can be stressful, especially on the day of, so if you're ordering dessert out, ask one of your friends if they can pick it up on the way. Lastly, take a minute to relax before everyone arrives. You've done all the hard work, now you can look forward to reaping the benefits.
3 steps toward a perfect meal for your dinner party
Arguably the most important part of a dinner party is the meal. According to Martha Stewart, there are three things to keep in mind that can make it easier for you to choose what to prepare.
Beginning with texture, think about the consistency of the foods you'll be serving. Don't stock up too heavily on starch or meat, and make sure to add some variety to those plates. Have a good mix of soft and tender textures to salty and sweet flavors. Speaking of flavor, let's talk about tastebuds. Don't think about the courses you're serving as individuals, but ones that come together to tell a story. Consider the drinks, entrees, and everything in between to make sure they complement each other. And if you're not familiar with what flavors go well together, do your research. According to Food Business News, sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami are some of the basic tastes you should know, and you should make sure each has something to balance it out.
Lastly, think about color. This step is for you aesthetic fanatics. A table full of fresh, colorful vegetables, and fruits are so much more appealing than one covered solely in sourdough bread. Color adds a sense of beauty to your table, and it also helps make sure you've checked off that variety box.