menu planning 101

Congratulations! You've decided to host your first dinner party. Don't feel overwhelmed, you can do it if you read through my helpful five-step menu planning crash course. Planning ahead of time is key, so make that grocery list days before your scheduled event. Keep the dishes simple and steer clear from complex, multi-stepped meals. Choose beautiful colors and place importance on presentation. For the last of my helpful menu planning hints, read more

This week I'm all about planning the perfect menu. Surprisingly it's not hard to do if you keep in mind a few helpful tips. Presentation is essential; as we eat with our eyes first, so pay attention to the color of the ingredients in your dishes. Don't over use an ingredient or stick to one cooking technique; variety of tastes and textures will only enhance the taste experience. If you are interested in learning more valuable pointers, read more

I've planned a lot of menus in my day and get tons of emails from readers and friends asking me to help them plan a menu for a specific occasion. I can throw a menu together in no time flat, and so can you if you take a look at my helpful tips and pointers. All week I am giving you a few more pieces to the puzzle. I see an empty dinner plate as an artist would look at a blank canvas. It's important to think of every aspect of the dishes from the texture, color, and aroma to the techniques of cooking that you use and the variety of ingredients. For today's menu planning tips, read more

On Monday I gave you a few of my menu planning tips and today I'm going to fill you in on some more of my successful secrets to planning the perfect dinner party. Don't feel overwhelmed if you are hosting a dinner any time soon, read through my advice, take a deep breath, and start planning. If you missed Monday's post, read the suggestions and check out today's tips - just read more

Ok, so you've decided to host a dinner party. You open up your cookbooks when panic strikes. What on earth are you going to make at this dinner? What will the menu for the dinner consist of? Whether you've hosted a million dinner parties, or are thinking about hosting your first, menu planning can be a scary and worrisome task. Courses, themes, special dietary needs, wine pairings... there are so many aspects of choosing a menu it's important to take the appropriate amount of time to plan your meal. Don't wait until the night before your scheduled event to wander aimlessly through the supermarket wondering what you should make. Even if you are hosting a last minute impromptu dinner, you should take a quick 5 minutes to organize your meal. It may sound crazy, but I actually enjoy menu planning. You could too, if you keep a few pointers in mind. I'll be giving you a few menu planning tips all week so pay attention! For today's helpful hints on menu planning, read more