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| Mom never stops being your mother |
When planning a meal, whether consciously or not realizing it, home kitchen cooks consider what courses to serve for each meal.
Most of the meals I prepared for me and my honey were three courses: Salad, vegetable and meat. Now, my honey does most of the cooking, and he varies it up. For example, if the meat is hearty, it’s two courses: meat and potato or salad or vegetable. He might add a plate of sliced tomatoes and avocados.
Most cooks agree that a full course dinner today is a meal consisting of multiple dishes, such as soup or salad or both; meat with a vegetable or starch, or both.. Some bread or biscuits. Perhaps, a beverage before and a beverage after such as coffee, and dessert.
If there are guests, a meal can start with hors d'oeuvres (appetizer).
If it's a formal dining evening, a full course dinner could actually be seven or twelve courses. That's a lot of food... and a lot of budget.
When I was a girl, my parents used to go out to dinner at the Victor Hugo Inn in Laguna Beach. What I remember about the 12-course meal experience was how long it took. I was not eager to spend so much time at the table. It's a good idea to keep "timing" in mind when planning your meal and number of courses you serve.
SERVING STYLES
Family Style. A lot of families today dine “family style.” This means that there are no "bring-me-out-to-the-table" one-at-a-time food courses. The whole meal is served all at once.
Serving bowls filled with food and a platter with the entree, soup tureen or casserole dish are put on the table and everyone helps themselves. Sometimes, the food is left on the stove and kitchen counter with a help-yourself spoon.
You can see how this is different from ”Butler Style” — which means that courses are presented one course at a time — You serve the salad, then remove the salad plates, then serve the next course, soup, entree, dessert... and so on.
Restaurant Style is the way we dine today. My honey cooks, fills the plates, and we eat what’s on the plate. That’s it.
Some styles are casual and require less plates. Less flatware. Less time. It’s fun to serve any style, but don’t forget that part of a “together memory” is what you do before, during and after the meal.
Here's a typical 7-course meal plan:
1. Appetizer
2. Soup
3. Salad
4. Entree with vegetable/potato/side dish
5. Dessert
6. Something savory like cheese
7. Coffee with Petit Fours
It's really fun to set a "theme" for a meal. Ask your family to dress to match the theme. It's fun for empty nesters and retired couples, too. Then, follow one or another of the "Course Styles." It so much fun. Put on some music. Candles?
Tip: Keep meals from becoming a “stuff your face” chore. Silence is not good when two or more people gather. Even if one is you and the other sits in a high chair or is the family pup. Make meals memorable: Don’t leave it to chance: Plan topics to talk about.
Well, it all sounds so good, I’ll say goodby for now. I think my feet want to hop on over to the snack cupboard.