The Beauty Battalion - Featuring Beauty In All Shapes & Sizes May 2017 | Page 54

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B
FAMILY FEATURES
ring the delicious tastes of a traditional
steakhouse to your own dining room with
simple steps that make it easier than you
might expect to please a room full of hungry
guests.
According to a survey conducted by Idahoan,
86 percent of Americans have avoided going out
to eat at a restaurant for reasons such as crowds,
bad service and noise. Instead of suffering through
the inconveniences, ditch those concerns and bring
steakhouse flavor home – an experience 79 percent
of survey respondents said they wish was easier to
recreate in their own dining room.
Set the table
Rather than plating food with any old dishware,
break out your nicest dishes and set the table the
way a restaurant would. Remember: forks on the
left, knives on the right. Pull out the linen napkins
for an added upscale feel. Properly setting the table
instantly gives your kitchen or dining room the feel
of heading out to a restaurant.
Change the mood
Most fancy steakhouses keep the lights dimmed
low, so find creative ways to mimic that ambiance
at home. If you don't have a dimmer switch,
invest in a smart bulb that lets you easily convert
a standard fixture into a custom light in minutes.
Or skip the overhead lighting altogether and
instead dine by lamp or candlelight. It’ll change
the way your dining room traditionally looks by
setting a scene that more closely matches that of a
restaurant.
Also try turning on your group’s favorite music
to change up the audible impression of the night.
It doesn’t need to sound like a rock concert – just
give the room some subtle liveliness with soft
tunes playing in the background.
Dress the part
Another way to change the
atmosphere is to ask friends
and family who attend to
dress in more formal clothing.
Simply acting as if everyone is
out on the town can help bring
an elevated sense of gaiety to
the room.
Start with soups
Much like in a traditional
steakhouse, please your guests’
palates at the start of the meal
with a warm soup. Idahoan
Premium Steakhouse Potato
Soups – which bring together
real Idaho red potatoes,
flavorful spices and rich
cheeses in four varieties –
provide a creamy taste in every
spoonful, perfect for giving
your “customers” a restaurant
experience from the comfort
of home.
According to the survey,
Americans are more likely
to order a potato soup at a
steakhouse than other flavors
like crab bisque or broccoli
cheddar, making potato soup,
which can be prepared in only
five minutes, an obvious option
to serve prior to the main course.
Main menu
After everyone has their fill of a creamy pre-meal
soup, pile their plates with a savory meat and side
dishes. A popular combination of a home-cooked
steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus can
easily do the trick for those who come with a
big appetite. simple and sweet. With the evening winding down
by this point, a scoop of cool, creamy ice cream
should cap off the meal perfectly.
Decadent dessert For more delicious ideas for creating the ideal
dinner at home, visit Idahoan.com.
Be sure everyone leaves a little bit of room after
the hearty meal to top it all off with something
DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
D
ining out is as much about the experience as it is
delicious food. That’s why when you’re creating a
restaurant-like meal at home, every detail counts. The
little touches go a long way toward making your meal extra
special.
Presentation: When serving starters like soups, present bowls
plated on a saucer and be sure to include a soup spoon on the
side. For the main course, take care to create attractive dishes
rather than simply mounding food on the plate.
Garnish: Remember that eating is a multi-sensory experience
and making food look great is the first step toward making your
guests’ taste buds sing. Accent plates with a sprig of parsley
or a seared wedge of citrus. For a savory, cheesy potato soup,
sprinkle some freshly grated cheese over top just before serving
and add a pinch of scallions for a pop of color.
Service: Take a cue from well-trained servers. Be ready with
refills for depleted drinks and clear empty dishes promptly.