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Gathering relatives for a gourmet lunch or dinner is the best way to experience family community and create an atmosphere conducive to full communication with loved ones.
Each of us lives according to our own, often quite busy schedule – this applies to both adults and children. Therefore, even people living under the same roof do not always have the opportunity to gather for lunch or dinner more than once or twice a week. Meanwhile, there is little that can compare in attractiveness with a leisurely and peaceful joint meal: in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, we can discuss with loved ones everything that we sorely lacked time for during the working week, and enjoying delicious food will smooth out many sharp corners in a relationship.
Of course, in order to fully feel the difference between this measured action and everyday quick snacks, both the dishes and the serving must be appropriate. By laying a tablecloth, placing candles and replacing paper napkins with cloth ones, we will create a special aura of warmth and comfort at the table. And some simple tricks will allow us not to stand all Sunday morning at the stove and turn preparing for a family meal into a pleasure and a way to relax our souls.
To make a plan
A large meal consists of several courses, but not all of them make sense to cook right before serving. Try to plan the menu so that only one dish is prepared right at the time of the household gathering – the rest can be made in advance or at least reduce the time for their preparation by completing all the preliminary steps the day before or a few days in advance. For example, if you plan to serve hot steaks, which are good piping hot, they are perfectly complemented by pickled vegetables or mushrooms prepared in advance. And a rich borscht is suitable for a salad of fresh vegetables, which, as you know, reaches the top of its taste the next day after cooking.
Together with home
Do not try to cook everything alone: invite your family (especially children) to participate in your culinary experiments. Thus, you will not only create an atmosphere of unity and community, but also take some of the burden off yourself.
treat easier
No matter how hard we try to please loved ones with gourmet cuisine, do not confuse a family dinner with a formal one. There is no reason to be upset if you have enough time and energy for only one dish prepared with your own hands – let it be impeccable and carry the living warmth of your home, and purchased desserts or salads will serve as an excellent frame for this masterpiece. In the end, a joint meal is not an end in itself, but only a convenient and comfortable form of organizing full-fledged family communication.
FAMILY DINNER
Spinach cream soup with garlic croutons
For 6 people.
Cooking time: 30 minutes.
- 0,5 kg of potatoes
- 1 large leek (white part)
- 3 large bunches of fresh spinach
- 500 ml low-fat cream.
- For the croutons: 9 slices of yesterday’s white bread (crust cut off)
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
Put potatoes and leeks in a saucepan, pour 2 liters of water, bring to a boil and cook over low heat until soft. Coarsely chop the washed spinach and, removing the tough petioles, add to the potatoes and onions. After a minute, remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Using a blender, beat the vegetables and the broth into a puree, season with cream, add salt, heat without boiling, and immediately serve to the table along with croutons. The croutons can be made the day before by crushing the garlic with the flat side of a knife and frying in olive oil until golden in a frying pan with a removable handle. After removing the garlic (you won’t need it anymore), pour the bread cubes into the pan and stir them so that they absorb all the oil. Then move the pan to the oven preheated to 150 ° C for 15-20 minutes.
Fish with vegetables in parchment
For 6 people.
Preparation time: 30 minutes + 25 minutes for baking.
- 6 portion white fish fillets (200-250 g each)
- 3 large potatoes
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 stalk leek (white and light green parts)
- 1 large zucchini
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 18 champignons
- grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1 large bunch of dill
- salt
- white pepper
- 6 parchment squares 30×30 cm
Lightly pepper the fish, cut the tomatoes and champignons in half, chop the leek into rings, peel the vegetables and cut into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler. Put potatoes, carrots and zucchini in the center of each sheet of parchment (try to evenly distribute all the ingredients between servings), fish on top, champignons, onions and tomatoes on it. Sprinkle everything with chopped dill and lemon zest, salt and carefully fold the envelope, folding the edges twice for greater reliability.
In this form, the envelopes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, and they should be baked in an oven heated to 180 ° C immediately before serving.
Pannacotta with berry sauce
For 6 servings.
Preparation time: 20 minutes + 4 hours to chill.
- 500 ml medium fat cream (20%)
- 300 ml of milk
- 1 vanilla pod
- 250 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon of gelatin.
For the sauce:
- 750 g frozen berries (cherries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or a mixture of both)
- 200 g sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pour gelatin with 5 tablespoons of water. Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the contents with a knife. Mix milk with cream, add sugar and vanilla and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool slightly. Dissolve the gelatin and, whisking with a whisk, pour into the creamy mixture. Pour into molds and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Put the berries for the sauce into a saucepan, sprinkle with sugar and put on a small fire. When the berries give juice, add cinnamon, then bring to a boil, remove from heat and cool. Before serving, the panna cotta molds should be immersed in hot water for a few seconds, then inverted onto a plate and served with warm berry sauce.