Entertaining a crowd

In selecting a collection of recipes for important occasions, I like to place the emphasis on recipes for times when you want to impress or treat friends and loved ones to food with a little more thought and depth given to it than usual. These recipes usually signify that a greater deal of effffort has gone into making them. While I include a few dishes that – although they may not be terribly complicated – may take some time to cook or prepare, there are also simpler dishes to help create perfect balance, not only in terms of menu creation but also time spent in the kitchen. The very last thing I want to do when I am cooking a special meal is to spend the entire time in the kitchen, missing out on the fun – the whole point of entertaining is to be with your loved ones. Personally, I feel the most special occasions include convivial, simple and abundant food on the table, surrounded by people I can genuinely feel at ease with. Even if they’ve all arrived dressed glamorously for the party, while I only manage to make it to the table in a onesie, smelling of roasted meats and fried things… those are the best kind!