Tackling the Entertaining Fear Factor
According to a survey from England's University of Reading, contemplating a dinner party is scarier than a job interview or first date for 61 per cent of respondents. It is particularly prevalent at this time of year, now that the casual barbeque season is over and people are looking forward to getting back to candlelight-and-wine dining room dinners.
For many people the dinner party dilemma is two-fold: 'How can I do most of the preparation in advance so that I can graciously greet my guests and serve before-dinner drinks?' and 'What if the guests are late?'
"Take a deep breath and relax," recommends home economist, Joyce Parslow. "There is an easy solution. Plan your menu around an oven roast."
"I think of roast beef as the original convenience food," explains Parslow. "It cooks itself, leaving you free to prepare other menu items or sit back and enjoy visiting with your friends. Including a generous time buffer in your cooking plans not only gives you breathing space, it actually improves the meat texture."
Most importantly, the succulent aroma of a roast welcoming arriving guests is a sure-fire way to put everyone at ease. It's even better than potpourri!
Even if you've never cooked a roast before, a new booklet, Perfect Roast Beef, published by the Beef Information Centre, shows you just how easy it can be - from selecting the right cut at the meat counter to clever carving tips. Perfect Roast Beef is available at meat counters in selected grocery stores. You can also order your free copy by visiting the on-line order centre.
