Holiday survival guide

 

If you have developed any skills in the kitchen whatsoever, then you know this is the season when people are expecting you to either show up with food, or show up ready to prepare food. People get genuinely thrown if I show up without a baked treat. And when I have people over, someone always asks, ‘What, no cake?’

Whether you are visiting or hosting, there are expectations and demands that are placed on you. For some, this season is simply overwhelming, especially when you are trying to impress.

 

The Gregarious Guest

The truth is, you will get invited to many occasions, but you shall also be expected to show up with a little something something. And not the packet of milk or bananas from the shop closest to your host. Your mother taught you well, but it is time to upgrade this.

On average, (for those who have not lost their social graces and dare to show up empty handed) people tend to show up with a bottle of alcohol, or simply ask you if there is anything you need. Which they make a quick stop at the supermarket for on their way over- if you actually ask for something.

End result, your host has a bunch of different types of alcohol that the very same guests will consume. And you have a running account for the hosts you will get anything for.

Luckily for me, no one expects any bottles of anything, but they do expect something from my kitchen. If I buy a baked good…. Oh the drama! It is as though I have insulted them or no longer love them. So bake I must!

The next two weeks are full of visits, and here is how I plan to survive as a gracious guest!

 

No one thinks of dessert!

This fact offers me two advantages; I am likely the only one who will bring dessert, and the host probably only had some fruits in mind. This means I am not adding to the bottles, packets of milk and juice that everybody brings. It also means that when later people are feeling peckish, even those who frown upon us sweet tooth people, there is something to nibble on that my host did not have to go back to the kitchen to fix. Major brownie points here.

 

Bake in bulk, bespoke decoration

If I am visiting many different people on a weekend, trust me, they are all getting the same dessert. A batch of cupcakes or cookies is fairly simple to make, and can be split to serve a couple of visits. I may even turn one cake mix batch to several cake loaves.

Once I have my mind set on the basic flavour, what then changes is the frosting. A batch of chocolate cupcakes can end up with chocolate frosting for one host, peanut butter frosting for another and vanilla cream for someone else. The idea is to remember who is partial to what. As for cookies, some go plain, others chocolate coated and others frosted, or made into sandwich cookies, again depending on the host’s preference.

 

Packaging

It sounds simple, but the packaging really elevates it to a special gift, or something that makes your host feel appreciated and even loved.

You could opt for the basic pasty boxes. They are cheap and readily available. However, elevate them with a ribbon, or a little Thank You sticker.

I run out of these boxes pretty fast because of the bakery. In such instances I may opt for a jar or a container from my kitchen, or even a decorative platter. Being the festive season, it makes it all the more appealing. I also like that my dishes usually come back some months later with a home-made treat- some mandazi, kashata, or even whole meals. I know some pretty talented cooks.

 

The Hostess with the Mostest

When I host, that is when the big bakes come to play. Here I opt for whole cakes because it is one thing that can feed many people. It’s also a show stopper should I decide to bring out the decorating guns.

 

Plan ahead

The thing with cakes is that you need to plan ahead; what ingredients will you need, how do you want to decorate it, how much time do you have to prepare it, and so on. The beauty about cakes is that you can make them ahead. Meaning, on the day you are hosting, all you have to concern yourself with is the other things you need to prepare. If you can make it a day or two ahead of time and properly store it, this is one thing you simply won’t think about until it is time to cut and serve.

 

Allow for the time needed

Cakes need time. Time to prep, time to bake, time to cool, time to decorate, and yes, time to eat! So plan for this. You do not want to be baking, as your guests arrive. Yes, the house will smell heavenly. But chances are some guests will leave before you are ready to serve. Or you will end up serving it warm, and undecorated (if this was not your plan).

Plus, did I tell you that cakes don’t like stress? Baking in a hurry always, ALWAYS, gives interesting results. You will have stories to tell for years to come.

 

Decorative setting

Decide how you intend to serve your dessert. Even the simplest and unadorned cake looks so very appealing when placed in the right setting. We eat with our eyes first.

Cakes work well with flat table ware. Get a plate, even your everyday use ones, that is larger than the cake, and if possible in a contrasting colour from your cake. If you are the kind of host that serves the main meal in decorated platters and serving dishes, then don’t drop the ball with your dessert. If you can, invest in a cake plate that’s a few centimetres tall. It will really do something for your display.

Do not forget the side plates, saucers and dessert spoons and forks to serve with. Let’s not do the serviettes thing this holiday. We will help with the dishes after.

 

Pack it up!

I think the most gratifying thing as a cook and a host is when after people have had their fill, seconds included, they ask if there is any they can carry home. When this happens I feel like I have served my country well. #ProudMoments

Do not wait to be asked, prepare for this. If there is any cake left, ask your guests if they would like to take some with them. Have some disposable containers handy. Those that can carry dessert or the leftover food well. Let’s be honest, not everyone has the mindfulness to return your good storage containers.

 

Whatever you get up to this holiday season,  make sure to have fun, and to have those around you feel loved and appreciated.