|
|
 |
An outdoor buffet
|
| Much longer and warmer, May days are perfect for enjoying a leisurely lunch on the veranda or a dinner in the garden, either with lots of friends or just the family. For such occasions, nothing beats a rich and colorful buffet, a surefire crowd pleaser and, if prepared ahead of time, not a whole lot of work for the hostess. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WHAT SORT OF FOOD SHOULD BE SERVED? |
|
|
A basic rule of thumb for a perfect buffet is to make sure that all the food is easy to eat. Focus on pre-cut slices of savory pies, sandwiches, kebabs, pasta salads and, in general, anything your guests can easily handle without the use of a knife. A very fashionable solution would be to go with bite-size items and various little tarts, commonly referred to as "finger food". If the buffet has a rustic theme, you can even feature cutting boards laid out with a selection of delicatessen meats and cheeses accompanied by baskets of various sorts of bread and pizzas; tasty and filling, this sort of food also creates a very decorative effect. Under these circumstances, all the "courses" are presented simultaneously, unless you are planning on serving a hot pasta dish, which should always be prepared at the last minute.
|
|
|
|
If you have a big terrace, a garden or large enough veranda, we recommend setting up one table for the food and beverages and another for the plates and glasses. And don't forget - if possible - to set up a couple of garden umbrellas so your guests can get out of the sun. If, however, you decide to serve a dinner buffet, remember to place plenty of geranium and cinnamon-scented candles around the area where your guests will be eating; they create a magical atmosphere and keep away the mosquitoes and other insects. And don't forget to put our plenty of chairs so your guests can eat seated.
|
|
|
|
There are basically two ways to create elegant table decorations for buffet situations. The first involves a large flower arrangement for which you'll have to set aside a corner of one of the two tables, echoing the floral theme with a much smaller arrangement on the other table. If space is at a premium, you can always opt for a smaller arrangement and carry out the theme by scattering a few petals and leaves over the tablecloth. From the beginning of the meal you could also set out a decorative basket of fruit (sticking, once again, with bite-size items, like cherries or strawberries), which at the end of the meal can be offered to your guests. The same sort of decorative effect can be achieved with large glass plates and bowls containing raw vegetables.
|
|
|
|
Stacks of plates and glasses will be carefully set out according to type. For informal buffets with lots of guests, you can certainly resort to paper plates and plastic cups. In this case, however, you have to pay close attention to coordinating the colors and designs of the plates and napkins. And, no matter how informal, you should never be without a nice fabric tablecloth, which will add a touch of warmth and elegance. The silverware can be tied with colored ribbons or arranged in baskets, adorned perhaps by little bouquets of flowers.
|
|
|
|
|
