Dining INN

There’s nothing quite like a luxurious meal that’s carefully made, served to you under romantic lighting, and placed onto a fresh white tablecloth. Sadly, the price can be prohibitive for many of us, and instead we end up spending our night with takeout and a bottle of wine.

Craving a restaurant-level meal but not the drive, the wait, the cheque, or the babysitter? Why not channel your inner chef and make a five-star meal in the comfort of your own kitchen? Eating at home can save you money and other benefits include increased food safety, a chance at healthier ingredients and the portions of course. While this is true, eating at home can be hard to pull off on our busy days. Eating at home is not difficult, but it takes some slick tricks. Here is how to eat at home while still saving money and having a good time with it.

Offer an appetizer
On those grumbly tummy nights when you know dinner will be awhile, don’t be afraid to pull out the veggie tray. A small appetizer makes it much easier for everyone to wait patiently while dinner is prepared. Keep a few such items on hand, like veggies and hummus, cheese and crackers, or even chips and salsa.

Keep it simple
Always try to offer the easiest meal that can be prepared in the best possible manner. Keeping it simple.

Learn some presentation hacks to make the food ooze brilliance.
Try fancy plating since the way your food looks is an important factor in creating appetite. Styling food is key in this case. Never underestimate the power of first impressions.

Use common ingredients
You’ll have less waste and get more meals for your budget. Use real food. Processed foods are typically more expensive, less nutritious and tougher to incorporate into multiple recipes than real food ingredients

Make it fun
Cook at your best environment. Music blasting, dancing etc. Entertaining yourself helps you invest the time without regret. Make a meal out of love

Don’t be afraid to try new things – like broccoli and other groceries you might not give a second look at the store.
You might discover something that you like, but have never tried. It’s easier to get recipes now. Here or anywhere in the internet

Prepare Everything in Advance
If you’ve ever had that moment of panic when it’s time to add the onion you forgot to dice. Having all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go can make all the difference in some dishes. Mise en place is a French phrase that means “set in place,” and it’s one of the first lessons taught to professional cooks.

Sharpen your Knife Skills
Chopping everything into uniform pieces isn’t just about looks. When you have same-size chunks, it all finishes cooking at the same time. That way, you don’t end up with some pieces raw and others cooked to mush.