Peri's Rules for Entertaining

Last Saturday evening we enjoyed a lovely al fresco dinner at the home of some new friends. (Yes! For one evening only, it was nice enough to eat outside!) As I thought about it, I was reminded of the following list of rules that Mario and I wrote up a couple of years ago. Anyone have other rules we should add?

1. Offer your guests drinks immediately upon arrival.
2. Put plenty of ice in your guests’ drinks. Your guests will not be offended if you do this.
3. If you are not sure you will have enough ice, buy a bag!
4. Have something for your guests to nibble on after they get their drinks, no matter how simple or small.
5. Put salt and pepper dispensers on your table. Your guests will not be offended if you do this.
6. If the recipe calls for salt, put it in the dish.
7. If you are baking something and the recipe calls for salt, it is absolutely imperative that you put the salt in the recipe.
8. If you are baking something and the recipe does not call for salt, it is absolutely imperative that you find another recipe.
9. Create a menu for your guests’ pleasure, not yours.
10. You can never go wrong with comfort food. Modify for vegans and vegetarians as needed.
11. Get in the kitchen and cook. No one ever lost a friend by inviting them over to dinner.

You do not need a beautiful home, or a gourmet’s kitchen or expensive china to entertain. You just need a place to cook and eat and a feeling of sincere hospitality in order to delight your guests.