If you're thinking of sticking to the same traditional menu you served up last year, think again. This year you're likely expecting fewer guests, which means you won't need the same amount of food that you usually cook. Instead of letting food go to waste, reevaluate how many people you'll serve this season, and adjust your recipes to match. Scale back on your favorite comfort food recipes or incorporate new dishes that are better suited for the occasion.
That being said, no matter how much you scale back, there will undoubtedly be some leftovers. Be sure to choose dishes that can be reheated and combined with other foods to make sure nothing goes to waste.
When planning a Covid-friendly holiday gathering, grocery shopping may seem like one of the most challenging tasks. Heading to the grocery store to grab green beans for your famous casserole can put your time spent quarantining at risk. To plan and prepare your holiday meals safely, we suggest checking off your grocery list virtually.
First, plan out your menu and determine which ingredients you need to make dinner a success. Next, have the items delivered or plan for curbside pick up. Avoiding grocery stores all together is the best safety precaution. Plus, it may even save you a bit of time.
If you don't have any stores near you that offer delivery or curbside pickup, we encourage you to minimize your time spent in the grocery store. Plan meals based on items you already have in your pantry, organize your shopping list by food sections so that you only have to visit each area once and lastly, choose a store that's not too crowded, even if it means you have to drive a little further than you're used to.
While buffets may be the easy go-to setup for holiday meetups, try serving meals directly from the pan to plate for this years festivities. By skipping the buffet, you can minimize the number of people handling the food and serving utensils and prevent the spread of bacteria. Instead of a self-serve method, designate one person to serve the meal and manage the plates, and be sure they use a lot of hand sanitizer when doing so! Another way to skip the buffet is by making a one-pot dinner that requires less handling than most meals.
We hope these micro holiday dinner tips have helped you better prepare for a virus-free holiday gathering. From adjusting the menu to preparing to-go boxes, there are plenty of ways you can keep the holiday spirits alive, even in times of uncertainty. Have a micro dinner tip of your own? We'd love to hear about it. Let us know how you're staying safe during this year's holiday season in the comments below. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, Happy holidays!
