Everyday Dinner

Eating together, sharing food, and sitting at a table is the best way to create and maintain friendships and togetherness. Rituals, traditions and customs are what unite us as families and clans; it is instinctive and primordial. Elevating everyday dinners to dinner party status is my way of making the job of feeding my family an enjoyable event. So, I say, if dinner parties are such fun to organize, why not plan one every night for your family and close friends? We are all creatures of habit and by making eating together a “habit” it then becomes the norm.

I am not suggesting that you put together a six- course meal on a weeknight, nor do I think that family meals should cause stress for the cook or the commensals. In fact, I strongly suggest that you save making elaborate dishes like a three-layered chocolate soufflé cake when your gourmand friends come to visit. On the other hand, a little effort goes a long way and the more you entertain, the easier it becomes.

For stress-free entertaining, choose menus that don't demand lots of your attention as they cook.  Stews, chowders, chili and potages are ideal candidates because they take a few minutes to prepare and a few hours to cook on their own. These dishes call for some chopping and little else. If you cook them for just one hour, they are delicious, but if the phone rings and your attention is diverted for another hour, they will probably taste even better. For side dishes, serve up no-fuss items such as a green salad and sliced tomatoes, a plate of cheeses and warm bread. Dessert can be fruit, minimally prepared.  

Have one or two dishes in your repertoire and elaborate on them as you feel more comfortable. If you adore making macaroni and cheese, by all means do so! Serve them with a fresh green salad and some store bought brownies for stress free entertaining. Your friends are going to be thrilled to be with you in your house and will appreciate any effort you make.

My latest passion for family dinners is Moroccan tajines, which is both the name of the dish as well as the vessel it is made in. A tajine is a conical shaped earthenware pot that cooks meats, chicken or fish slowly, and I mean sloooowly. It is a snap to use and the outcome is so delicious that tajines have now become a staple in my kitchen. The small amount of meat needed for the tajines, corresponds with my dietetic philosophy of “eat less food”. Use my Apricot & Almond Cooking Sauce to make a chicken tagine in no time. Seasoned and served alongside richly flavored vegetables, spicy, rich tajines make full, satisfying meals.