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Fried camembert with blueberry sauce. |
Click here for a playlist of Christmas music, and click here for your minute-by-minute cooking plan. You will be able to cook and plate this gorgeous meal by yourself if you give yourself enough time beforehand. If it seems overwhelming, consider splitting these tasks with a friend or loved one - what looked impossible will suddenly seem easy. But for now just sit back and join me in food-fantasyland.
The Menu
Designing the perfect menu is tricky. You want food to appear piping hot, but you want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible while your guests are sitting at the table. This plan will allow you to do 90% of the cooking ahead of time, then just pop things in the oven or gently warm them on the stove at go time. You also want to help your guests pace themselves so they savor every bite, from fried cheese course (oh yeah, you heard me right) to the last drop of their hot chocolate. I like to print out little menues so people know what's in store, and I also like to plate the dishes myself - for portion control as much as for presentation.
Incidentally, the following menu was tailored to accomodate one friend who's trying to go easy on the lactose, and another friend who can't eat gluten. The one problematic dish is the fried camembert - which will be breaded in gluten-free crumbs, and is easily opted out, if my other friend would like to double up on prosciutto-wrapped melon. Otherwise, coconut milk, rice, and hot chocolate made out of beer are such excellent substitutions that you won't even miss the foods I'm leaving out.
First course: Fried Camembert with Blueberry Sauce and Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
Paired with: Bordeaux
These few decadent bites will get your meal started right. The sauce can be made and stored in a pot on the stove for easy rewarming. The camembert can be breaded and stored in the fridge until your guests arrive. The melon can be pre-wrapped in prosciutto and stored in the fridge - put a damp paper towel in between the food and the lid to keep the meat from drying out. When your first guests arrive, start warming the sauce and heating oil in a fondue pot. Pour some glasses of Bordeaux to keep them company, and fry the cheese while you quickly plate the melon.
Paired with: Moscato
Main course: Shrimp Curry with Yu Choy and Kabocha Squash on a Bed of Rice
Paired with: Chablis
This delicious curry takes under 10 minutes to cook! Your prep will take some time, but that can all be laid out ready-to-go in advance. Start your rice cooker when the guests arrive, then relax and enjoy the meal. During the 10-minute cooking interlude, you can ask a helpful friend to clear dishes and pour some Chablis. The main course will be ready in no time.
Dessert: Chocolate Meringue Cookies