Quite often, we get dinner crashers—but they are always welcome! Usually, the unexpected dinner guests are my children's friends, and there is enough to go around. When there isn't enough on the menu to feed a few more mouths, I add a simple course like fruit or the French cheese course for dessert so there is enough to satisfy everyone.
Last evening, my daughter’s friend popped over and asked if he could stay for dinner. “Of course,” I said, although I had made just enough Tuna Tartare and cucumber salad for three. I knew there wasn’t enough for four, so I served some nuts and olives for an apéritif before dinner to take the edge off our hunger. Then, I served both melon and cherries for dessert.
I considered serving some Comté cheese and baguette for a French cheese course before the fruit, but it didn’t sound good after Tuna Tarte, so I passed even though I was concerned dinner would be a little too light to satisfy everyone.
Surprisingly, after dinner, everyone said they were satisfied. I was the one who was still a little hungry. I felt about 75% full even after waiting ten an extra ten minutes at the table to see if my hunger subsided.
I could have had a little more, but we all agreed we felt great. It’s a reminder that often, we don’t need to consume as much food as we think we do.
Eating slowly so the stomach has time to signal to the brain it is full—which takes about twenty minutes—and eating until you are 80% full are two practices that are part of the Blue Zones and French Paradox “phenomena” and “secrets” to managing health and weight and promoting longevity. You can read more about them here.
