Menu Planning

Appears in
Gourmet Game Night

By Cynthia Nims

Published 2010

  • About
Game night can mean anything from a quiet evening for two to a spirited gathering with a couple dozen friends, and many engaging, dynamic scenarios in between. Recipes in this book tend to have a group in mind, with yields that will mix-and-match well for eight to twelve guests. But the beauty of many of the recipes is the flexibility they offer, so you can easily accommodate a larger or smaller gathering.

For example, the Lentil and Carrot Soup with Cilantro Purée serves eight in ½-cup portions, but doubles to sixteen servings if you present it in smaller ¼-cup capacity glasses instead. It’s one of many scalability tips you’ll find in the recipe chapters. On the flip side, consider the Fennel and Corn Salad. Served in small bite-sized portions on porcelain spoons, the recipe is an ideal choice for a large group. But if you have six for dinner instead, simply serve larger portions of the salad in ramekins or other small dishes.