How do you feel about assigned seating at a holiday meal?
While not required for an intimate family meal, a seating plan will help any dinner party run more smoothly.
Place cards make a table festive and pretty, and they don’t have to be formal. You could just write names on dried leaves or colorful paper ribbon, rather than on traditional paper cards.
In general, a host should have a seating plan for parties of eight or more. Whenever possible, alternate men and women, with the hosts seated at opposite ends of the table (unless you have a distinguished guest, in which case he or she may be seated at the head of the table).
Couples and close friends should not be put right next to one another — remember, they get to talk all the time.
Think about your guests’ personalities to come up with the most suitable pairings. Look for mutual interests that will help keep a lively conversation going throughout the meal.
Of course, there’s no science to this process, but your intuition will almost certainly guide you to a seating plan that’s comfortable for everyone at the table.
What are some make-ahead food ideas for the holidays?
In theory, you could start preparing as early as three months in advance. That’s how long many frozen cookie doughs will keep.
So-called slice-and-bake cookies are particularly good for freezing because their dough is formed into a log that fits neatly in the freezer — just thaw, slice, bake and serve.
If you’re making drop cookies, whether oatmeal or chocolate chip, you can freeze individual scoops on a cookie sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag.
As for holiday dinners, there are plenty of side dishes you can make ahead. Several types of relish, including cranberry sauce, can be prepared a couple of days in advance; many actually get better after their flavors have had a chance to meld in the refrigerator.
Gratins often can be assembled a day before baking; if you are using potatoes, make sure to cover them completely with cheese or other toppings to avoid browning.
Even mashed potatoes can be prepared up to two hours before mealtime. The trick is to hold them in a heat-proof bowl, covered with a lid or foil. Set the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water to keep them warm until serving time.
What’s the best way to store bread?
Keep loaves at room temperature in a dark, dry place such as a drawer or bread box — sunlight can cause them to dry out and humidity induces mold.
Never store bread in the refrigerator, as cool temperatures accelerate staling: One day there is about equivalent to three days at room temperature.
How long bread stays fresh depends on the type. Commercial varieties that contain preservatives will keep for up to 10 days. Bakery and homemade loaves generally last two to three days. But those that have a high fat content, such as brioche or raisin bread, will keep for three or four days because the fat helps lock in moisture.
A baguette, which has very little fat, is best eaten the day it is baked or bought.
Before storing, cover bread in plastic wrap, and place it in a tightly closed plastic bag. If you have baked your own, be sure to let it cool completely before wrapping.
Bread that you will not consume within a few days can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Wrap the loaf in a couple of layers of plastic, followed by a layer or two of aluminum foil, then place the package in a tightly closed plastic bag.
To defrost the frozen bread, place the wrapped loaf in the refrigerator overnight. (The wrapping and cool temperature enable the bread to reabsorb any ice crystals slowly, reducing moisture loss.) Or remove slices, wrap in foil, and thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Before using, unwrap the defrosted loaf or slices and place in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes to 10 minutes to crisp the crust; or simply toast slices.
A faster method: Unwrap bread, rewrap it in a couple of layers of foil, and heat it at 250 degrees for an hour if you’re thawing a loaf. Do not defrost bread in the microwave, as it will become tough.
Address questions to Ask Martha, Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.
&Copy; 2007 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.
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