| | PATCHWORK MEAL
originally published on December 21, 2001 at Suite101
The last week before Christmas is a notoriously hectic one for many of us, and it can be difficult to round up friends and family before they head off for their Christmas destinations...or, to keep guests who are in-town and visiting with you duly entertained. But it isn’t impossible. Round up your beloved for a fuss-free and relaxed patchwork meal.
The operative element of a patchwork meal is the contribution of foods bit by bit, be it generous donations from your guests, or little lifts of your own energy throughout the week. The casual factor should be high, as this is about relaxing and relishing good eats and good company. No fretting about the decor and table settings, no fussing over a monumental menu or exuding ambiance. This is all about eating, relaxing, and having an enjoyable (i.e., not stressful) time. Anyway, it’s very likely your pad will already be decked out for the holidays, so no need to add more. Pop on a holiday CD and you are set. Stress relief during this very busy and bustling season is high on many lists of priorities, and I’ve compiled some useful resources out on the web below.
Gather your munchers. Because this time may be stressful for your intended guests as well as yourself, don’t expect a turnout that would please New Year’s Eve-ing Dick Clark. Whoever can come will come, and the food will sort itself out accordingly. Key to remember is this is a meal meant to up the respite quotient, if only for one night. We all have to eat, right?
If your patchwork meal is meant to gather up your friends before they all jet off for their holiday plans, clue them in as soon as you get the idea to throw this little shindig. Phone up or email your invitees, at the very least, a couple days in advance. A week ahead is preferable. Be sure to cement the details of where, when, and what (buffet? brunch? bring something?).
If your patchwork meal is meant to feed your visiting family and friends and take a little pressure off the big holiday meal you know you‘ll be slaving over later, you’ll also want to clearly communicate your meal plan, but it might be a bit easier to coordinate since they’re in town to see special little you.
Whatever the reason for this (almost) impromptu meal for the season, be sure to convey the specifics that are important to you to make the meal hassle-free for all.
 Holiday Brunch ~ There is a special, warm-fuzzy about mornings that meet you with a tasty meal and the warmth of your loved ones. Even now, I always look forward to the big, home-cooked breakfasts that Mom (and occasionally, Dad) wakes us up with when we’re home for visits. Brunches are nice for time convenience (not too early, not too late), easy menu possibilities (a bit of brekkie, a bit of lunch), and general enthusiasm for attendance (probably because of the first 2 factors). Even better, there is a wealth of possibilities for saving time by prepping parts of the meal the night before and simply popping them in or on the stove the next morning. You can serve your brunch family-style, with all the fixings being passed around the table, or you can lay it out buffet-style and let the traffic flow take care of itself.
See the following resources for great recipes and ideas for easy brunching:
Holiday Buffet ~ If dinner or lunch is more suited for you or your guests, a buffet is the easiest way to go. Potluck is my favored method of procuring copious amounts and varieties of food, and guests feel they truly are contributing something to the endeavor. Appetizers and finger foods are easy for most anyone to whip up (my secret is to buy them pre-made and frozen; I just warm them up, and presto! insta-contribution!), and even store-bought comestibles are great for the buffet. If you really feel you need to do a bit of traffic-copping on who brings what (boo! this is about relaxing, remember?), you could assign types of things you need people to bring; however, I find part of the fun is in the surprise of what may appear. See the following spots for buffet tips and pointers:
Also see these guides for general holiday cooking and party-planning tips:
~ AllRecipes Christmas
~ Better Homes & Gardens Make-Ahead Cooking
~ MSN Home Advisor Holiday Party Planning Guide
Stressbuster Meal Out ~ The ultimate way to chill, the meal out saves you planning, place-setting, cooking, and cleaning. Make reservations for you and your favored folks to get a little nourishment in the tummy, a little socializing on the brain, and a nice time especially slotted for not doing other holiday errands. A couple weeks back, my friends and I met up for tapas at a lovely place rooted in the middle of a beautifully decked out downtown area. This certainly fit the patchwork bill with the various dishes we shared. The feeling was festive and fun, and the relief of going home to a clean kitchen was fantastic. Hit your favorite food joint; it doesn’t need to be a fancy or formal spot. You can infuse the patchwork feel by sharing all the dishes ordered, so everyone gets a nibble of everything.
Eat up and relax! Remember...Main requirement: fill bellies well. Positive side effect: jovial, good fun to be had by all. Hope you have a peaceful, enjoyable Christmas and see you in 2002! |
