Thursday, August 1, 2019

Something I am Absolutely Terrible at

I can't start this post without giving a big shout out to my Christopher.  He is the most supportive, go-along-with-my-crazy-ideas, let-me-run-with-it, sweetheart man, and I am so grateful for him.

As you all know, we like to cook and entertain.  The problem is that I have absolutely no clue when it comes to knowing how much food to make.  You'd think after many years I would have this figured out, but no; I am absolutely terrible at it, and we always end up eating leftovers for days.

Long time readers will know that I go a bit overboard sometimes all the time (ex. when I am baking Christmas goodies).  And those who have been here for dinner or a wine and cheese party, will be well aware that I am completely incapable of predicting how much food is needed. 

Like, not even in the ballpark.

I know there is a little something called Google.  But, when Google tells me that I need 1 - 1.5 ounces of each cheese per person for a party, I inevitably read that as 1 - 1.5 blocks of cheese per person. 

Any Internet search I do always ends up with me thinking: Dear Internet, quit trying to starve my guests.  I know this is irrational, but I can't help it.

A conversation between me and Christopher last week while I was prepping for a family BBQ:

Me: "I made chocolate pavlova for dessert.  I don't think it's going to be enough.  I might need to make another one."

Christopher: "It's definitely enough.  You don't need to make another one."

* Christopher comes home from work *

Me: "There is another pavlova in the oven."

Christopher: *laughing* "Yes dear."

This is one of a billion conversations that has gone exactly like this.  He never gets mad.  Never gets frustrated.  Never rubs it in when there is more than one pavlova left over at the end of the night (and there was).  So thank you, Christopher.  I love your patience, and I love you.

Last Thursday we had my family over for a BBQ.  We were hoping to have this on a weekend, but everyone in my family works different days/shifts, so the only day that worked for everyone was a Thursday, which means I was left to my own devices while Christopher was at work.  I baked buns, got some sides ready, and made two pavlovas.


We snacked on some meat and cheese, chips, pico de gallo, and coconut shrimp outside.  The plan was to sit in the backyard all evening, as we love to enjoy the space while we can, however the wind was too strong, and it started to rain, so we had to move inside.


The main course was BBQ chicken (*note to self - planning 3.27 thighs per person is way too much, especially when four of the people are kids, and we're also having meatballs), sweet and sour meatballs, rice (I made two batches ... only needed one), buns, coleslaw, and corn salad.


Three of the kids ate at a table in the kitchen, and nine of us crammed around the dining room table.  Remi was initially at the kids' table, but just wouldn't have it.  She needed to be with the adults.  Haha!  I felt the exact same way when I was her age.  I used to hate being put at a kids' table.

Dessert:


Times two.

I don't know if I will ever know how much food to make for guests.  And please, never leave me in charge of ordering for a group.  If you've heard the story of me ordering Domino's for just the two of us, you will understand.  The largest group I have ever had to order food for was about 40 people, years ago with my friend Bonnie.  We figured at least 30 large pizzas, plus cake and snacks would do the trick.  Either she has the same issue as me, or she is an enabler like my husband, haha! 

I should never, ever be in charge of this stuff.  Catering or working in a commercial kitchen would be a nightmare job for me. 

Are you good at estimating the amount of food needed when cooking for others?  How about when just cooking for your family?  
When ordering in?

(My friend at work still likes to laugh at the time I ordered in Chinese food for Christopher and myself.  I ordered the Dinner for Eight).

2 comments:

Dione Nahirnick said...

Better to have too much food than not enough! And you can always give some leftovers to your guests I’m sure they wouldn’t mind haha!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Ha, I am very similar in this regard. I'm always paranoid that we are going to run out of food. We did almost run out of food when we had Phil's house warming party back in 2014. But he will say that 2 of the guests ate WAY MORE than they should have. Ha. But I felt terrible that we ran out of meat for tacos and have said - never again! I grew up in a large family with 5 kids so I am just programmed to make huge meals. But, I love leftovers and Phil does, too, so we don't mind having lots of leftovers to work through!