LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2015

FAMILY-STYLE

BY LUCY WAVERMAN  •  PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES TSE

HEAPING PLATTERS PASSED ROUND THE TABLE—WITH EVERYONE FREE TO TAKE AS LITTLE OR MUCH OF WHATEVER THEY LIKE—MAKE FOR A MORE CASUAL, RELAXED GATHERING.

ENTERTAINING IS TAKING a definite turn to the casual. Relaxed lifestyles and busy schedules mean hosts are looking for easy-to-manage approaches. Sharing is the trend in many restaurants, and the trend continues at home with platters heaped high with food and placed on the table for everyone to help themselves. This allows guests to sample modestly or to indulge and really dig in to their favourites. Casual, eclectic and appetizing, this is the modern way to serve family and friends.     To get in on the trend, look around the house for different kinds of platters. I like wooden boards, slate tiles and large trays. Keep the accessories casual—dish towel napkins, stemless wine glasses, even mismatched china create the atmosphere.     Here are four ideas that will please most people. Each dish can be served sepa- rately and you can mix and match recipes from one platter with another.

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