Quick Dinner Idea for a Beat the Mid-Winter Blues Party: Fondue
Ok, the holidays are really, finally, at last over. I mean completely cleaned up and leftovers gone to that happy kitchen in the sky. But now you’re out of energy. And it’s dark and cold. And you are tired.
If you ask me, it’s time for a little attitude adjustment.
Remember our attitude is largely our choice! Maybe you like the cold and want to hunker down and have warm comfort food. Maybe you want to pretend that you’re on vacation in a tropical place (staycations get old after a while). Maybe you need to see the face of someone other than your loving family.
Attitude Adjustment Meal – 5 Easy Steps
1. Decide on your Objective. – What will really make you feel better? For me, it’s actually the cooking and eating. For others it’s the friends. Maybe it’s family game night around the fire. Picture the perfect setting and get it going.
2. Set the Mood/Make the Invites: – So this means you have to plan ahead and commit (boy do I sound like a broken record). Once it’s in the works, it’s harder to back out – even for a date with your husband or children. Is the mood suitable for paper plates or candlelight?
3. Pick one element that takes effort – make the rest easy. If it’s game night, take the time to find a new game that everyone will like or find a family favorite activity. Or make a new dish– a fun dessert to eat while you play.
4. Shop only once. Or better yet, don’t shop at all. I bet there’s enough in your kitchen to make a good meal. If you didn’t get that little last thing, forget it! It’s not part of the objective and you’ll be the only one to miss it.
5. Be There! – I don’t mean just physically. You set this up for a reason and it wasn’t to do dishes. Have fun, be part of the celebration and relax.
Easy cheese Fondue with great dipping tastes!
Fondue - Recipe for our ideal Evening
I actually love winter, firesides, being cozy. There’s nothing better at the end of a long winter day than that warm, comfort food. For us it’s fondue and fire, followed by a game of some kind. And it’s easy –all you need is a little melted cheese and bread? We like to jazz it up with some fresh fruit and sausages to dip too. The great thing about fondue is you don’t cook in the kitchen and it’ communal eating, where the act is part of the entertainment.
If cheese isn’t your thing you can heat up some broth and do meats as well. Check out these easy fondue recipes. Sure fondue was big in the 70’s – and we have a fondue pot from then, but it’s back and better. It can be a pot over flame or electric – or even in a microwave for cheese or dessert!
If you are having a group, have them bring potluck for dinner and you provide a dazzling chocolate fondue with fruit, marshmallows, angel food cake and just about anything else you can think of for dipping! (I‘ve even had potato chips which are pretty good!)
Then let the games begin: Trivia, card games and board games are big in our house. The sillier they make you feel the better.
Dig in and Feel better! 
Leave a Comment January 22, 2010
