Do ahead?

December 5, 2010

Happy St. Nicholas Night cyber-friends!  There’s still time to hang up your stockings, or pick up gifts to fill the stockings of others.  You’re never too old to celebrate St. Nick’s night!

I hope you read Linda’s comment from last week – she has a VERY economical idea for in-home leftover containers! 

During these holiday weeks gifts of food and gatherings of plenty abound.  Let’s think of how we can eliminate, or at least reduce, food waste.  If you’re hosting and notice that the remains will exceed your kitchen’s storage capacity (or your family’s appetite), communicate your predicament to your guests.  Many may be delighted to assist!  How to divvy up the delectables?  Here are a few ideas:

·         Auction them off as a fundraiser for your local food pantry!

·         Play holiday trivia, the Dreidel Game, or other competition.  Winner gets first choice of the leftovers!

·         Put everyone’s name in a bowl and have a disinterested party pull them out.  Guests choose their treats as their names are drawn.

Have another suggestion?  Share it in the comments! 

How about preparing for your holiday event?  ‘Do ahead’ seems to be a favorite tip, but how much can you really prepare ahead of time?  My friend Amy gave me a terrific idea that works wonderfully on more than one level.  This is for carnivores, but I’m hoping a vegetarian reader will offer an equivalent version.  Whenever you cook meat that results in pan drippings but you’re not making gravy, deglaze the pan with a little water and pour those rich juices into a freezer container (or even just a clean margarine tub), mark the type of meat used on top, and pop it into the freezer.  When you’re making a dish that requires a sauce or gravy, use these savory juices to make it ahead of time!  An added bonus is that the fat rises to the top upon freezing, making it easy to remove before cooking.   Amy says these freezer treasures add depth and flavor to soups, stews, and other dishes.  You’re not limited to making au jus or gravy! 

What’s your favorite ‘do ahead’ tip?  Or what have you tried that flopped?  We can learn from both examples, so be generous with your experience and tell us! 

Feel free to share your favorite holiday food-related stories too – those are always fun!

May this week be beautiful and bountiful for you all.