Holiday Entertaining

Since it is almost December, and Christmas is just around the corner, I thought I would focus some more on cooking for the holidays.

This will be our first Christmas together as a married couple, so I am very excited about it. I want to cook plenty of treats for him, and I am sure I will be trying out quite a few new recipes.

We are planning on having a Christmas party in a few weeks, so I have been researching what I will be cooking.
When it comes to planning the menu for a party, my Betty Crocker Cookbook is a big help. I found the following tips which will be great to follow as I research my menu options:

1. Choose your recipes. There are hundreds of great recipes in the Betty Crocker Cookbook to fit any occasion. The internet is also full of great menu ideas.
2. Make a list. Grocery lists make shopping faster and more economical by cutting down on those last-minute dashes to pick up missing items. Before going shopping, make a quick check of what you already have on hand.
3. Plan the main course first and then fill in with other foods that go well with your main course.
4. Make sure flavors go together instead of competing with each other. Balance out a strongly flavored main dish with a milder flavored side dish; serve a subtle main dish with a boldly flavored side dish. If the meal has been on the heavier side, choose a lighter dessert; if the meal was a bit lighter, plan an indulgent and rich dessert.
5. Involve your senses- sight, taste, smell and touch. Keep flavors, textures, colors, shapes and temperatures in mind. For example, serve spicy with mild; creamy with crisp; white or brown with red, yellow or green; tiny pieces with big chunks; and hot dishes with cold.
6. Use seasonings, sauces, condiments, salsas, relishes, and marinades to jazz up plain foods like grilled chicken or fish, cooked pasta or steamed vegetables.