Spring has dressed the earth in a riot of color, and on the calendar one day glows: May 1 — International Workers’ Day. This joyful celebration is something many of us look forward to. It pulls us onto brightly decorated streets and squares and into festive processions of demonstrators…
Conversations with fellow workers and songs fill the air and the time flies. The demonstration winds down, and with the sun shining and spirits high, you don’t want to say goodbye to your friends. So you invite them over for lunch.
Plan this gathering in advance so you can spend as little time in the kitchen as possible while hosting your guests.
A few days before the holiday, buy everything you need to make sweet cookies, plus meat, poultry, and fish. Clean and gut the poultry and fish right away. Store all these ingredients in tightly sealed containers in the refrigerator. Green onions, radishes, and lettuce will keep well in plastic bags for a day or two. On April 29, bake yeast dough, flatbreads for cakes, and pastries. That same evening, prepare the fish if that’s part of your plan. Once it cools, place it in a cool spot, preferably the fridge.
On the eve of the holiday, start cooking the borscht or broth—whatever you’ve decided to serve as the first course. Meanwhile, frost the cakes and pastries and finish cooking the meat, whether it’s roasting in the oven or frying on the stove.
After tidying the house, decorate it with flowers. May Day celebrates labor, peace, and spring, and it wouldn’t be complete without flowers as a symbol of renewed nature. Choose spring blooms you like—daffodils, hyacinths, daisies. Red tulips or carnations will heighten the festive spirit.
When you return from the demonstration, you’ll be greeted by a clean, cozy home and a nearly ready lunch. As soon as you arrive, put the meat in the oven and join your family and guests, who are already settled in chairs enjoying friendly conversation (by the way, you can serve assorted kebabs and tomato juice). After an hour, grab one or two helpers and prepare the salads and set the table. Make everything look spring-like, with beautifully arranged dishes. Lemon slices will brighten the golden-brown fish. Thinly sliced cucumbers will dress the salads. Spiral-cut carrot strips, drizzled with lemon juice, will decorate the meat. Use creatively cut radishes, lettuce, and slices of hard-boiled eggs to garnish the dishes. Don’t forget a small bouquet of violets or lilies of the valley in a low vase at the center of the table.
Or maybe you invited guests for dinner? Then you’ll have more time to prepare festive dishes and still relax before friends arrive. Decide whether to stick with fish, salad, and cold meats, or to serve something hot as well. Use radishes, fresh cucumbers, and herbs to give everything a springtime look. Lay bright embroidered napkins on a white tablecloth.
Treat your guests to music, organize a fun game, or dance.
The warmth of spring and the blue May sky call you outdoors. Another holiday awaits on May 2. Coordinate with your friends about who will bring what, and head out to the countryside first thing in the morning. A walk through the forest with fresh young leaves and birdsong, followed by a delicious outdoor meal, will leave you with the best memories.
Wishing you a festive mood and a delightful rest!
