Planning The Perfect Dinner Party
by Michael Sheridan

Related products on Healthy Foods

Decide very early on how many courses you intend to serve. It is by no means essential to serve three courses plus cheese just because that tends to be the norm. But if you do decide to follow that convention there are few things it would be helpful to consider.

Avoid, for example, using the same main ingredient in more than one dish. i.e. don't serve a quiche followed by something else in pastry, or add a strong flavor like chili to more than one dish.

Plan, also, how you intend to cope with both preparing and serving the food. If your menu means that you will need to spend more time in the kitchen than you do with your guests, you need to re-think

Design your courses so that as much as possible can be prepared in advance. A simple way to do that is to serve only one hot dish, perhaps the main course, one course at room temperature and one straight from the fridge. The cheese can take care of itself.

Speaking of which, here is something you might like to consider. In Australia and the UK , cheese is served at the end of the meal. In France it is served before the dessert. I recommend the latter course.

The reason for that is because it puts the timing firmly in your hands as to when the meal is over and it's time for the guests to go home.

Let them linger over the cheese until you are ready to bring the evening to a close. Then serve the dessert with just one bottle of good pudding wine, having cleared all the other dishes, including the cheese board.

You do this by bringing two dishes to the table, and taking several dishes away as if to make room for more. With a little practice you will become very adroit at this and the table will clear as if by magic.

Once the dessert is finished, choose your time to offer coffee and a final nightcap of port or brandy, if that's what you would normally do. Most guests will understand that the coffee signifies the end of the evening and will not even be aware that you have manipulated the timing in this way. And even if they are, they will probably admire you for it and adopt the same system themselves.

Above all, remember that everything you serve has turned out just as it was supposed to. Never ever make excuses or apologize for your food.

Create it with conviction, serve it with panache.

About the Author
Michael Sheridan is a former head-chef and an acknowledged authority and published writer on cooking matters. His websites, which can be found at http://www.thecoolcook.com, contain a wealth of information, hints, tips and recipes for busy home cooks.

Related Articles on Healthy Foods

Amazing Power of Acai Berry
For many years, the acai berry has been a well-kept secret, but that is beginning to change. Today more and more people are discovering the health enhancing power of this antioxidant rich food from... read more.

Pomegranate Juice For Your Health
The pomegranate has been a much loved part of the diet of many cultures for thousands of years, and scientists have recently begun to take a look at its possible health benefits, over and above those derived from the vitamins and... more.

Black Cohosh For PMS Symptoms
For many generations, women in the United States have relied on a root known as black cohosh to relieve various problems associated with female health. From PMS issues and menstrual cramps to menopause, black cohosh has long been... read more.

Healing Power of Milk Thistle
The prickly milk thistle has been used in the treatment of various liver problems for more than 2000 years, and many of the earliest healers were well acquainted with this valuable plant. The milk thistle is actually a member of the sunflower family, even though it... more on milk thistle.

The Value of Seabuckthorn Oil For Your Health
Seabuckthorn oil is one of the most exciting nutritional supplements to hit the market in recent years, and there are many studies underway to prove the health benefits of this important... more.

Health Benefits of Wolfberry
The health benefits of the wolfberry have long been known to the world of traditional medicine, these health benefits were explored throughout China many thousands of years ago. As far back as the Tang Dynasty, in the years... more on wolfberry.

Fruits And Vegetables In New Food Pyramid
The question of what foods are healthy can often be quite a difficult one to answer. The research often seems to be in conflict, The studies that say a particular food is great for you one day often turn around and... read more.

Add Fresh Strawberries To Your Diet
Everyone knows that strawberries are delicious as well as nutritious, and strawberries, both fresh and frozen varieties, should be a part of every person's daily diet. There are many health advantages to eating strawberries, and strawberries... more on strawberries.

Exercise Bike And Treadmill To Start Your Healthy Diet
Many people wonder how they can maintain a healthy weight without starving themselves. It is important for every would be dieter to understand that a healthy diet starts with exercise. Without a solid exercise plan, it will be almost impossible to... more.

Improve Your Overall Health And Fitness By Detoxing The Body
One of the most important things anyone can do to improve overall health and fitness is detoxing the body. This detoxing should ideally take place a couple of times a year, and many people prefer to do... read more.

Food That Helps Reduce Asthma Symptoms
Asthma symptoms can be at best annoying and at worst life threatening and the bad news is that cases of asthma are on the rise. More and more children and adults are diagnosed with this condition every year, and asthma continues to be... more on asthma symptoms.

Bilberry And Nutrition
Bilberry, known to science as actinium myrtillus, is a member of the blueberry family, and it is known for producing sweet blue colored berries. The bilberry bush is found both in North America and Europe, and it grows best in... more on bilberry.

Wild Yam To Treat Menstrual Cramps And Other Similar Problems
The plant known as the wild yam is actually a perennial vine which features a pale brown rhizome coupled with a thin reddish brown stem with can grow up to 36 feet in length. The wild yam features large oval leaves with a fine hair on... read more.

A Combination of Green Tea Extract And Caffein Burn A Higher Number of Calories
There few drinks with as many important health benefits as green tea, and the Chinese have long known about the many benefits of this exciting foodstuff. The Chinese have been using green tea in traditional medicine to treat... read more.

Fresh Ginger Root And Your Health
There are many reasons to love the pungent aroma and great taste of ginger, but there is increasing evidence that ginger provides strong health benefits as well as great taste. Ginger has a long tradition of use in traditional medicine, and cultures around... more on ginger.

Peppermint Tea For Chronic Stomach Conditions
Peppermint has long been known for both its great taste and its soothing medicinal properties. Many people use peppermint leaves, brewed in a tea for instance, to soothe stomach ailments and other mild illnesses. Fresh peppermint and... more.

Parsley And Its Benefits
Most people know parsley as those little springs of green often used to dress up food at the finer restaurants. Did you know, however, that parsley has many health benefits? More.

Benefits of Spinach In The Diet
For many years, nutritionists and mothers have known about the awesome power of spinach and its importance to a healthy diet. After all, there is a reason your mother always encouraged you to eat your spinach, and... more on spinach.

Whole Wheat Bread: Rich Sources of Dietary Fiber
One of the easiest dietary changes to make, and one that carries a real health punch, is replacing refined grains with more healthful whole wheat. This one change in diet can have a significant impact on health, from helping to maintain a... read more.

Pygeum Supplement For Treatment And Prevention of Prostate Problems
Prostate problems are a growing problem for many men, and it is estimated that most men will experience some type of problem with their prostate at one time... read more.

Grow Basil, For An Endless Supply of The Freshest Herb Recipe
Basil is one of the most commonly used of all herbs in cooking, and there are many recipes that are enhanced by this minty, aromatic plant. Many cooks like to grow fresh basil in an herb garden, for an... more on basil grow.

Tomato Sauce, Canned Tomatoes And Stewed Tomatoes Are All Valuable Sources of Antioxidants And Other Valuable Nutrients
The health benefits of tomatoes are well known, and tomatoes are known to contain a great many important compounds that play an important role in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, cataracts and... more.

Prevent Breast Cancer By Eating Read Cabbage And Red Beets
There are many reasons why red cabbage and red beets are such popular foods. Both red cabbage and red beets are delicious, nutritious and low in calories. In addition, the compounds found in red cabbage and red beets are thought to... read more.

Vitamin D Found In Milk Is Vital For The Utilization Of Your Calcium Diet
Calcium is a vital part of every diet, but many people are not getting all the calcium they need for healthy teeth and bones. Nutritionists recommend that women aged from 11 to 18 consume no less than... read more on calcium diet.

Prevent Breast Cancer by Eating Healthier
More and more people are coming to understand the important role diet has to play in the prevention of many forms of cancer, and many recent studies have indicated that it is possible to help prevent breast cancer by eating healthier. Read more.

The Excellent Sources of Fiber In Black Bean
For many people, including some highly respected nutritionists, beans are just about the perfect food. Beans are so nutrient dense and low in calories that they are perfect for any dieter. In addition, beans are a strong source of dietary fiber, which... more.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice For Your Good Health
Oranges in all their forms, from fresh Florida oranges to fresh squeezed orange juice, have long been enjoyed for their delicious flavor as well as their health benefits. Indeed, oranges and other citrus fruits are among the most healthy of all foods, and... read more.

Why Interest In Using Health Food Supplement Is Growing
The past several decades has seen quite a resurgence in the interest in traditional and natural ways of treating disease. As more and more prescription and over the counter medications are shown to have significant side effects and cause other serious... more.

Balanced Diet Is An Essential Part of Keeping A Healthy Weight
For many people, maintaining a healthy weight is a real struggle, and obesity is quickly becoming the number one health problem in the country. Everyone knows about the many serious health problems that have been associated with... more.

The Power of Goji Berries
The goji berries just may be the most powerful of all anti-aging foods on the market. More and more people are discovering the power of the goji berries, also known as lyceum barbarum. More on goji berries.

Other Information On Healthy Foods

Recipes

Other Tips

Other Useful Articles