De-stressing holiday entertaining

HelloFresh Australia Founder and CEO, Tom Rutledge (pictured, above) dishes out his top tips for stress-free entertaining this silly season:

1. PLAN AHEAD

Before you do anything, spend a little time designing your menu and when to shop for specific ingredients. Remember, you don't have to do everything yourself, make notes of what can be pre-prepared, delegated or outsourced.

2. QUESTION TRADITION

Don't be afraid to mix things up a little, perhaps you could trade in the turkey for beautiful Australian seafood or swap out the traditional pudding for panettone. Whatever you decide, it pays to consider how each dish will impact on your day - a plate of BBQ'd prawns or pre-prepared got smoked salmon will always go down a treat in my household. Before you do anything, spend a little time designing your menu and when to shop for specific ingredients. Remember, you don't have to do everything yourself, make notes of what can be pre-prepared, delegated or outsourced.

3. PLACE YOUR ORDERS EARLY!

While it is always nice to waft about the local shops a couple of days before you're due to entertain, to see what inspiration comes your way - chances are you simply won't get what you need! If you're after a turkey or a particular type of ham, order one from your local butcher early. The same rules apply when ordering large quantities of seafood or even baked goods.

4. HAMMING IT UP

It may sound strange, but when you're buying a ham, be sure to request the left leg. The muscle tonality, dominant right-footedness, and the scratching habits of a pig's right leg means that the idle left leg has a better fat distribution and flavour than the active right one. You heard it here first!

5. DIVIDE AND CONQUER

If you've got a horde of relatives coming over for a meal, take them up on their offer to bring something along. Rather than leaving the choice up to them, politely offer something they could bring from your pre-planned menu. A well planned menu will be easy to divvy up and will leave more time for enjoying some well earned catch up time with your guests.

6. ASSEMBLE, DON'T COOK

There's no point being tethered to the stove while your guests are emptying stockings and glasses of Pimms with equal vigour. Do as much of your preparation the day before as possible. There is so much that can be done prior, from glazing the ham to peeling potatoes, giving you more time to spend with your loved ones.

7. OUTSOURCE

With all the planning around the big day, sorting out weeknight dinners for you and your loved ones in the lead-up or after the occasion can be an added stress. If it all seems like too much hassle to stand in the extended shopping queues or coming up with nutritious meals that the whole family will love, outsource! Naturally, in this case I suggest checking out Hellofresh.com.au for our range of boxes to suit couples, families and vegetarians. We'll deliver farm-fresh ingredients that are portioned to avoid filling up that much-needed fridge space, and quick, delicious recipes to match.

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