Dinner party help for a non domestic goddess!

[Vanillapod]

Order in from Cook!
They’ll never know you didn’t slave over it all day 😆
Then just add salads and stuff maybe?
We love their huge chicken, ham and leek pie. It’s only nice as the proper pie though. The smalller portion is just casserole with a lid.
The pork Dijon and Harissa chicken are also good 👍🏻

cookfood/

[Pjamas]

Do you have a slow cooker? If so as big a shoulder of pork as you fit in it - put in the slow cooker with nothing else and leave for 12 hours. Then shred, let it soak up its own juices and drain the rest, squeeze in enough BBQ pork to coat and serve with brioche rolls and cheese. Pulled pork burgers. Key lime pie for dessert? Prawns for starters - Florida theme!

[Loopylooloo]

I agree with all the advice and tips about an easy prepare ahead starter and pud, and also preparing the main ahead (day before if you can) then on the night you can stay calm and enjoy the evening.

How about a chilli lasagne? The day before make the chilli - I use onion, minced beef, a can of chilli kidney beans from shop, a teaspoon of extra chilli powder, half teaspoon cinammon, a beef oxo cube, some red wine, and a can of tomatoes, just let it simmer for couple of hours.

Turn into lasagne by layering with pasta sheets, cheese sauce (easy to make or buy in shop) and then on the day of serving lay some tortilla crisps on top, and cheese then cook in oven for 40-60 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serve with salad and sour cream. Oh and wine. 🍷

For pud, the meringue nests from M&S are lovely, with whipped cream and strawberries. Maybe grate some dark chocolate on top for bit of wow. Everyone always loves these. Anyway they will be drunk by then!

Hope it goes well, this thread has made me hungry!

[g1970]

If you decide on a slow cooker main, I found this recipe for Beef & Barley stew which is delicious.

thekitchn/recipe-slo...ey-stew-107027

Prep in morning, cook on low all day and bung the barley in 4 hours into the cooking.

[Gev]

My mum cooks a gammon joint in her slow cooker - in Coca Cola or Pepsi. And it’s yum!

[LexiBantam]

Thanks everyone, I knew I could rely on The Dibb, both for ideas and reassurance !

Some fabulous ideas - I'd never even heard of cook, but it looks brilliant.
I'm OK with the pudding - I've done a Jamie Oliver Key Lime Pie that's easy enough, and really nice. I'll be OK with the starter, it was the main I was stressing about, but lots of good suggestions here! I think the trusty slow cooker will play a role somewhere, and the slow cooked lams sounds delish!
I have great friends, so I know I shouldn't worry - so long as I have plenty of prosecco, I should be fine!
Thanks everyone

[Jedi Princess]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

M & S two dine for £10. Jobs a good one.

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That’s exactly what I was going to suggest👍

[Gryff]

If we are having people for dinner even though I love to cook I always have a cold starter that just needs assembled or in the winter soup I've made in advance and a pudding such as Easton mess Or do it yourself ice cream sundaes or cheese and biscuits
As stress free as possible

[JellyEllieBean]

Originally Posted by Loopylooloo

I agree with all the advice and tips about an easy prepare ahead starter and pud, and also preparing the main ahead (day before if you can) then on the night you can stay calm and enjoy the evening.

How about a chilli lasagne? The day before make the chilli - I use onion, minced beef, a can of chilli kidney beans from shop, a teaspoon of extra chilli powder, half teaspoon cinammon, a beef oxo cube, some red wine, and a can of tomatoes, just let it simmer for couple of hours.

Turn into lasagne by layering with pasta sheets, cheese sauce (easy to make or buy in shop) and then on the day of serving lay some tortilla crisps on top, and cheese then cook in oven for 40-60 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serve with salad and sour cream. Oh and wine. 🍷

For pud, the meringue nests from M&S are lovely, with whipped cream and strawberries. Maybe grate some dark chocolate on top for bit of wow. Everyone always loves these. Anyway they will be drunk by then!

Hope it goes well, this thread has made me hungry!

See more...

I love the sound of chilli lasagne