The Whole Family is Coming to Dinner

The whole family is coming to dinner. It’ll be a wonderful chance to share some memories, catch up and enjoy a meal – but with several generations and a wide variety of tastes, what on earth do you cook?

A group meal shouldn’t mean pressure and expense. That is the very last thing your guests would want, so don’t be afraid to host, plan and then delegate.

The beauty of kiwi culture is that we expect to help out and contribute when we are invited to a meal, but it is nice to have some guidance.

Some menus are better suited to large groups than others

Plan a meal that can be prepared ahead of time, easily served and feed a good-sized group. It is great to have a bit of a theme, so nibbles, entrees, mains or desserts all complement each other.

As the host or hostess, it’s a good idea to provide a good part of the main course, and leave the rest to the others. If you have a slow cooker, it can be a godsend when cooking for a group. Try pulled pork in the slow cooker for an interesting twist on a pork roast – make a tasty rub (try onion, garlic, paprika, brown sugar, chilli and cinnamon blitzed into a paste. Rub the meat, seal it in a hot pan and leave it in the slow cooker for eight hours or so. The meat will be meltingly tender. As side dishes, ask guests to bring baked jacket potatoes, coleslaw, relish or green beans to accompany. It’ll bring the house down!

If you are ever in a cooking mood, make a couple of huge lasagnas and freeze them. There is nothing like comfort food for a family gathering and it need only be reheated in the oven.

Picky eaters and allergies

Call me old fashioned, but I believe everyone (regardless of age!) should be expected to try new things. If you have picky eaters or those with legitimate allergies, it may be best to ask them to bring food that they are prepared to/able to eat. It will save you extra time, expense and worry.

Try not to tie yourself up in knots about hosting at meal times. If a main meal seems to hard, morning or afternoon tea can be lovely occasions – break out your best scone recipe and reduce your workload.

Remember that people are coming to see you, not judge your cooking. They will be happy to be with you, and whatever hospitality is offered will be just fine. You could even start a regular event like Cheese on Toast Thursdays for you and your grandchildren, so simple and fun.

Social events should be warm, loving and fun for everyone concerned, including the host or hostess.