HEALTH MATTERS
Be your own sous-chef.
Cooking for a crowd means there will be lots of cutting, slicing, chopping and measuring. Before you start, do all that prepping at one time and consolidate where you can. For example, if you have three dishes that require chopped onion, do all the onion chopping at once. When you're done, just store it in a glass lidded container. The OXO Smart Seal glass containers can keep your dishes and ingredients fresh and neatly stacked in your refrigerator.
Round up your helpers.
A family feast begins with a good plan ... and lots of delegation. At least a few weeks beforehand, draw up a master to-do list of things you need to do to get the house ready for guests, from cleaning to decorating to setting the table. Hand out tasks to different family members so everyone plays a role. One easy way to do this is to put each family member in charge of a room to clean and prepare. For example, one can take bathroom duty, making sure it's clean, stocked and company-ready, while another takes on the family room. Hang this list in a common area, so tasks are crossed off as they're completed.
Order the food.
This year, skip the hours of shopping at the grocery store, and try ordering everything on your list online. Whether you opt for a delivery service, or try a grocer's curbside pickup option, you'll miss out on the stress of finding parking, nudging your cart through the crowded produce section and waiting in long lines. This will save you time and stress.
The night before, set the table.
Nothing beats waking up the morning of the big feast and seeing that your table is ready for company. The place settings are arranged just so, the wine glasses are shining and the serving dishes and utensils are laid out. All you have left is baking, warming and roasting, leaving you with plenty of time to get ready. You may even have time in the morning to relax over that extra cup of coffee!
"One easy way to do this is to put each family member in charge of a room to clean and prepare."