Elegant Entertaining ~ Passionate about healthy food and entertaining!

Happy Autumn everyone. I love this time of year because there is a sense of getting back to routines and one of those routines for me is Sunday Dinners – they are such a great habit because they give so much joy! Growing up we always had a Sunday Roast dinner. It was either roast beef or roast chicken and was always a great way to get the family together.

The days are a little cooler, so its cozy to have the oven on and fill your home with the delicious aroma of a roast dinner. An additional bonus of roast dinners is that you will have leftovers for the week.

The secret to easy breezy Sunday dinners with family and friends is creating a plan, developing a simple menu, and having a set timeline and game plan that allows you to be organized and relaxed when your guests arrive. If you practise this plan each week it becomes such an easy way to entertain. The key is to have tried and true favourite recipes that you can prepare in advance. Also have fun with it!

The secrets to creating an easy Sunday Dinner

• Write down a plan that includes your menu, shopping list and preparation timeline
• Create a simple menu with tried-and-true recipes
• Do most of your preparation in advance
• Set a festive atmosphere with music and lighting
• Prepare a menu that includes recipes that can be cooked in the oven all at the same time
• Do all your food preparation at the same time early in the day
• Create a children’s table with activities and snacks
• Set the children’s table and the adults table early in the day or even the night before

Roast Dinner Menu Ideas

• Roast beef, beet puree, roast potatoes, mushroom and onion gravy, Yorkshire pudding, flourless chocolate cake
• Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, savory gravy, green salad, roast vegetables, cheesecake with berry sauce
• Rack of Lamb, smashed potatoes with cilantro and mint sauce, vegetables, tiramisu
• Roast stuffed Pork Tenderloin, brown butter yams, almond beans, tart tatin

Create a Great Ambiance

• Declutter and organize your home – clean your home before hand and minimize clutter to make a welcoming space.
• Spend a little extra time cleaning the bathroom, light a scented candle and add towels and special hand soap for your guests.
• Use a carefully selected playlist to enhance the dinner experience (create these early in the week so you have them ready).
• Use dimmable lighting, lamps or candles for a warm, inviting glow.
• Create a kids table with crayons, markers, stickers and a paper tablecloth. Have the kids design their own placemats with the markers and crayons. You can also have an activity in the centre of the table; at my last dinner I put small rocks in the centre with paint markers and each child decorated their own rock to take home with them. Having special drinks and snacks at their table are always appreciated, while the adults are getting their beverages.

Time savers

• Chop all vegetables and fruit at the same time for food preparation
• Set the tables early in the day (I actually set mine the night before)
• Label serving platters and set out serving utensil’s
• Prepare gravy starter to be finished just before serving
• Prepare salad ahead of time so it is ready to be dressed just before serving
• Create a Signature Drink: Offering a unique or special drink can be prepared in a pitcher before your guests arrive and is a nice touch. Create a non-alcoholic version, as well.

Activities

• Create a Children’s Area – Have a mix of activities available, such as board games, card games, puzzles, or even a craft table.  As I mentioned above, I always have a children’s table all set up.
• Create a Children’s table with crayons, markers, stickers and a paper tablecloth. Have the children design their own placemats with the markers and crayons. You can also have an activity in the centre of the table; at my last dinner I put small rocks in the centre with paint markers and each child decorated their own rock to take home with them. Having special drinks and snacks at their table are always appreciated, while the adults are getting their beverages.
• Have a themed night – A dinner based on food from a certain country or a cooking session where guests can create a meal together.  Example: Pizza night where everyone decorates their own pizza.

Timeline for your Dinner Party

Week Before your Party

1. Create your menu
2. Prepare your shopping list
3. Stock up on drinks
4. Stock up on pantry items
5. Check dishes and plan your table setting
6. Double check linens, dinnerware and silverware
7. Create a music playlist or select a music station

Two days before your Dinner Party

1. Clean and declutter your home
2. Grocery shop for your fresh ingredients

Day before Dinner Party

1. Prepare your bathroom with fresh guest towels and hand soap
2. Purchase flowers for table and bathroom flower arrangements
3. Prepare your dessert

Day of Party

1. Set your dinner table in the morning
2. Set up a kids table in the morning
3. Do food preparation (create a timeline list for this)

Remember to Keep it Simple and Don’t Overcomplicate it! Have Fun!!

People come together to socialize and have fun, not to critique your home or your cooking. The key is to keep it simple and if you want to delegate, then have someone bring a dessert. Guests love to help! The goal is to spend quality time with your friends and family and to make it an enjoyable and memorable time!