What would you serve at a dinner party?

I'm having dear friends round at the weekend and i've absolutely no inspiration. We do this so much that i'm all out of good ideas and dread perusing my 45 cookbooks for inspiration....

(I am hoping that vnice and cait might read this...... )

Any restrictions in terms of time, ingredients or dietary requirements?

I am a big BBQ fan, so I would do something like a selection of BBQ food (rump steak, pork strips, butterflied chicken breasts, all in different marinades) with some salads and a few easy side dishes. This weekend I cooked BBQ with an Italian Bread Salad, roasted veggies, some room temp boiled new potatoes) and it was a big hit.

But if you don’t BBQ, I would do something simple, I saw a recipe for Chicken breasts stuffed with Boursin wrapped in Parma Ham, and I would serve maybe some easy Dauphinouise Potatoes (I made them a few weeks ago, very easy) and two or three steamed veggies. Keep it simple…

Good luck, let us know what you do!

But if you don’t BBQ, I would do something simple, I saw a recipe for Chicken breasts stuffed with Boursin wrapped in Parma Ham, and I would serve maybe some easy Dauphinouise Potatoes (I made them a few weeks ago, very easy) and two or three steamed veggies. Keep it simple…

I do this with streaky bacon, rather than Parma ham, as the fat on the bacon keeps the chicken more moist.

If I know people will eat fish, I do a salmon recipe that I can get all ready before hand and then just pop in the oven for a few minutes. 

Salmon filets topped with a lime and corriander bread crumb.

Salmon filets
Bread crumbs
corriander
chilli (fresh or dried flakes)
salt
pepper
juice of 1 lime and zest
oiive oil

I just whiz all the ingredients (except fish) in a foodprocessor and add enough oil to make a moist breadcrumb mixture.  Consistency of damp sand works best.  You can use however much of each ingredient you fancy, I don't really use set amounts.  Then top the fish with the crumb mixture and bake in the oven.  I serve with coconut rice and roasted veggies.

I like it cause its mostly all prep beforehand and then you can spend time with your guests.

curry is always good and easy to make ahead of time....

Any restrictions in terms of time, ingredients or dietary requirements?

No, they are great eaters. I've done, Indian, French, Mexican, Italian with them so was hankering for something different.

No restrictions on food either..I've got all of Saturday sans kids to crack on...

A long, long time ago, when we had people over   Rich did Coq Au Vin a lot.  Just did cheese, pate, crackers and, olives for starters.  Different stuff for dessert. (Usually guest brought that and/or wine)  But I'm talking to the queen of baked goods, so never mind

No, they are great eaters. I've done, Indian, French, Mexican, Italian with them so was hankering for something different.

No restrictions on food either..I've got all of Saturday sans kids to crack on...

Paella?

Or some little tapas dishes, olives, garlic bread, salad, chorizo in red wine, chicken croquettes with garlic mayo, Calamares, potatas bravas, gambas, anchovies, tortilla, chicken skewers, sliced meats etc

Or some little tapas dishes, olives, garlic bread, salad, chorizo in red wine, chicken croquettes with garlic mayo, Calamares, potatas bravas, gambas, anchovies, tortilla, chicken skewers, sliced meats etc

I vote for this!!  (If there was voting!!!)

I vote for this!!  (If there was voting!!!)

If I had more than 1 chair (and a more than 1 room flat) I'd invite you over!

I've got recipes for all that stuff and more if you need it StephanieLea (or anyone else!)

If I had more than 1 chair (and a more than 1 room flat) I'd invite you over!

I've got recipes for all that stuff and more if you need it StephanieLea (or anyone else!)

LOL! 

I'd love them!!!

LOL! 

I'd love them!!!

cool i'm "working" from home, so as soon as the day is done, I'll get some up for you

I made these, Bulgur Herb and Feta Stuffed cornish hens (poussin), a salad with beets, dried cranberries and candied walnuts and a homemade olive bread for guests and it was a huge hit. I was able to make everything in advance and just take them out of the oven to serve. It looks impressive but was very simple and not fussy in terms of having to carve or slice after cooking.

For hors d'oeuvre , I served a white bean, roasted tomato dip with homemade pita chips, blue cheese stuffed medjool dates wrapped in bacon and assorted olives.

I love dinner parties! 

It's a bit more casual than traditional dinner party fare, but we've always had luck with felafel when we have guests. Lots of veggies, hummus, tabouli, babaganoush.  It's yummy and fun!  Plus, you can do most (if not all) of it ahead of time.