As a child, I remember how excited I was to have family come visit for the holidays. There were cousins to play with, grandpas and grandmas to lavish attention on me, and aunts and uncles to add to the general cheer of the season. My mom, though, seemed to find the experience less enjoyable. At the time, I didn't understand why. Now I do.
With company, we have to clean the house, change the sheets, plan activities, make sure we stock Uncle Frank's favorite decaf coffee and Grandpa's lactose-free milk and, of course, figure out what we're going to feed everyone. All that on top of holiday shopping, decorating, parties, band concerts and more.
As is often true, though, a little planning can take the stress meter down more than a few notches. That's why I try to make one or two meals ahead of time and put them in the freezer. I find, after a hectic day of shopping or sledding, if I can reach in and defrost a container of stew or a pan of lasagna, and then reheat or bake off the dish while I sit with my guests and have a glass of wine, I'm a much happier hostess.
One favorite dish is a Greek version of baked pasta called pasticcio. It's easy to make and so fragrant while it's baking that by the time you serve it, everyone's hungry.
The concept is a familiar one. A meat and tomato sauce is tossed with pasta and baked, but what makes this dish special is the sauce, which has cinnamon and other dried herbs that give it a unique flavor, far different from your typical meat sauce.
And while we're talking about meat, I often use lamb in this dish, which adds to the dish's exotic appeal, although beef works well, too. A yogurt-based white sauce, enriched with eggs and Parmesan cheese, is poured over the top before baking and seems to bring the whole dish together.
Serving pasticcio to your family and guests this holiday season will have them all raving about your cooking skills. Making it ahead will let you do it with a smile on your face.
Meredith Deeds of Edina is the author of "Everyday to Entertaining." Reach her at meredith@meredithdeeds.com. Follow her on Twitter: @meredithdeeds.
