Anxiety on Guest arrival

Whether there is an event or a casual get together, mostly we all love to invite people. The Guest number either can be 1 or x, whatever the amount your home can accommodate. But looking at the hard work you need to put in to make the gathering successful, your excitement takes a backseat.

The Expectation is when the guest arrive, your home is warm and welcoming. You are dressed in your best and food is ready on the table.

But mostly reality is that your anxiety is about to cross its threshold limit, you are still working on putting things under the cover to make your home look clean. One dish is still on the stove, and you are sweating in the kitchen. The bell rings and you rush to change, meanwhile, your partner welcomes the guest and attends them. Somehow you manage to do a quick makeup, change and join your partner in welcoming the guest, isn’t it?

This blog is for people who are still going through this reality and aims that someday their reality meets their dream. I am sharing few tips here which can lighten your load, bring down your nervousness, and help you get closer to your expectations.

Plan well and evaluate your load level

1. The moment you get to know the date and time of arrival of your guest, sit down and plan your menu. Don’t procrastinate to finalize your menu items for the party. This helps you avoid last moment rushing to market for buying ingredients!

2. Your menu should not consist of multiple items which require long cooking hours. You can have 1 or 2 items which might take time but not all.

Give a refreshing start

1. Include one welcome drink which you can choose depending upon the season.
Summer season options: Almond Milkshake / Sweet Lassi/ Mango Milkshake/Rose Milkshake/Cold Coffee

Winter/ Rainy season options: Warm dry fruit milkshake, Kesar Milk, Rasam, Tomato Shorba, or any soup.

2. Now when you plan for the starters, include things which do not require extensive time but are tasty. Ex Aloo Tikki, Paneer Tikka, Chana dal chaat, Quick Bhakarwadi chaat, Chola chaat, Bhel etc

3. Also, you can add some sides to the meal like Masala papad, Salad, Pickles of your choice. You can pick any raita from the varieties like Pineapple raita, Fruit Raita, Palak raita etc.

Two Center dishes and Pulav

1. For the main meal, you can choose two items which you can focus on briefly, Ex: Aloo Ka Khorma and Badami Paneer. Make sure you do your preparation two days before. Like you can make gravy of your main dishes and keep it in the fridge. On the party day, all you have to do is boil paneer and add it to your gravy. Finish as much of work related to the dishes as possible well before.

2. You can choose paratha or rice as per your choice. For Rice, you can just add a few dry fruits of your choice and bay leaf and make an easy and tasty pulav to give that aromatic touch to your meal.

Delicious Desserts

1. For desserts, choose them wisely. Again choose something which does not require lengthy cook time. Halva, Rose faluda, Mango Mastani, Rose barfi, orange Sandesh, instant rabri, Shrikhand, quick gajar ka halva, are good options to pick.

2. You can make most of them a day before. Just don’t exhaust yourself in the cooking process, use your creativity. Even if you pour in some sliced fruits and top it with an ice cream in a beautiful glass, I bet you will get more applauds for it than for a dessert you took an hour to cook!

The Secret Ingredient for the party

1. Now as we have covered all food items, the time comes to tell the secret ingredient, and that is the “presentation of your food”. Even the best food with poor presentation won’t gather much attention from the guest.

2. They say “You eat with your eyes first” and believe me if you plate your food well, all that people will with remember is the visual appeal of your food and nothing else. Simple nimbu pani glass can be turned into a delightful drink pouring nimbu pani in a beautiful glass with umbrella straw and thinly sliced lemon on the glass!

3. Make sure you have some nice crockery/your favourite metal vessels. You don’t need to have too many but one good set is good to start with. And you can always use a little mix and match.

4. Set your table in a captivating manner and work on plating your food well.

Important factors to create a peaceful Aura

1. Clean up your home a day before and before the guest arrives you can light up some scented candles to set the ambience.

2. Put some soft music to set the party mood.

3. Don’t forget to choose a nice pair of clothing for yourself. Take time and choose all you want to wear a day before.

Work with Clock

1. Your aim should be to complete light pickup in your home, cooking, cleaning and setting up your table an hour before your guest arrives.

2. Now is the time to relax and get ready. And you will realize you are in much calmer state, ready with your food and waiting to welcome your guests.

Hope these tips give a different perspective to your idea of throwing a party and help you enjoy the gatherings more rather than being caught up in the kitchen. The Idea of the party is not just that your guest has a nice time but even the host too enjoys that time and relax.