Whenever I propose a gourmet feast for a holiday -- Jewish or other -- my family rebels. They want the food they associate with the holiday. So for many Jewish holiday dinners that means gefite fish, chicken soup with matzoh balls, brisket in a sweet and spicy onion gravy, a starch and a vegetable (some variability permitted here), my German-style cucumber salad, and a desert that includes both some fruit salad and a cake.
It's a lot of work! So I admit I do someo judicious cheating. You should consider that, too. Make the things that you do uniquely well and buy high quality repliques for the rest.
So I buy gefilte fish (from a deli that makes that own), but make my own chicken soup and matzoh bals, make the main course, and buy the cake. I've discovered a new line of side dishes (starches and veggies) in my super market and after I've had a chance to try them I might consider using them, too.
Make sure you decorate everything as if you cooked it yourself.
Whether you confess your little deception is entirely up to you.
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