Dinner with guests tomorrow evening

[springiscoming16]

My italian cousins (wife, husband And two children aged 8 and 4) are coming for dinner tomorrow evening. They are fussy children (and grown ups) and annoys me that they say Italian food is the best one in the world and that's not true.

Anyway, I would like to cook something to make them realise there is something good also in the other cultures.

What would you cook? British or ethnic cuisine, I don't mind. I also need a pudding. Thanks.

[InTheDessert]

The Italians who I used to work with ordered Sticky Toffee Pudding at every opportunity. So I'd go for a traditional British pudding. But what is the forecast???
Mains, I'd do heat, potatoes and veg, but that's probably not the best for showing off the greatness of other food Italian is pretty good

[PurpleDaisies]

When you say "fussy", do you mean there are things they won't eat?

[springiscoming16]

Purple daisies, the children will say to to anything not Italian. They say they like cheese and then I offer cheddar and they say "yuck!we only eat Parmesan". It annoys me as I thought my children two things 1. Do not be rude to your hosts. 2. Do not judge food before you try it.

[springiscoming16]

In the dessert, what do you mean that you would do heat??

[Piscivorus]

I have done Delia's Spanish Chicken a couple of times and it has gone down well. It is chicken, chorizo,veg and rice all cooked in one dish. I think there is also a Moroccan version with different spices and chick peas. How about that with Eton Mess or something chilled that you can put in layers in individual glasses for pudding? I have done traditional English trifle like that before now

Good luck

[bookbook]

I'd do something along the lines of salmon cooked in foil, baby new potatoes, and the best veg you can find thats local- peas/broad beans/carrots for example
Then maybe creme brulee ( a lot like a nice pannacotta) with fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side

[llhj]

Obviously Italian cuisine is one of the best in the world! That is fairly indisputable. Don't let the kids annoy you. Just do a quick and easy barbie with sausages, corn on the cob etc. Just chill, it's not a competition. Enjoy yourself.

[InTheDessert]

Err, typo for meat.
Sorry.

[InTheDessert]

The salmon suggestion sounds good.

[Trills]

They say they like cheese and then I offer cheddar and they say "yuck!we only eat Parmesan".

You have my sympathy. They are rude.

[DameXanaduBramble]

Just go to pizza express and let them moan to themselves all evening, ungrateful lot.

[Cookingongas]

I would go traditional British.

Mussels in cider sauce

Beef Wellington and veg ( well cooked- not overdone)

And treacle sponge for dessert

[RTKangaMummy]

I don't know what to suggest for rude ungrateful children and maybe adults

Our DS has a lovely Italian girlfriend who loves to eat anything English or British

Roast lamb is her fav

She had never had rhubarb or gooseberries before but loves them so you could just serve something really English like rhubarb crumble and custard then they won't be able to compare to Italian pudding cos they don't have it there

She loves ice cream Ben and Jerry chocolate cookie dough flavour

Good luck with a very rude family

[CodyKing]

What about a mild curry in the slow cooker - serve with rice and naan bread - truffle or creme brûlée - with berries and cream -

Side salad to fill in any gaps!

If you're feeding them - you chose and let them try it!

[GetAHaircutCarl]

You won't convert rude and picky people, OP.

They're being silly anyway. There is lots of regional variation in Italy. And certainly everyone doesn't just est Parmesan!!!

So, I wouldn't put yourself to too much trouble to shoe them something new. Instead, make something you enjoy.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

If they only eat parmesan they are missing out on so many lovely Italian cheeses.

Fools.

Gooseberry fool with shortbread for pudding? Or even Eton Mess.

[PurpleDaisies]

You won't convert rude and picky people, OP.

This.

Just do whatever's best for you.

[daisydalrymple]

How about lemon and garlic roast chicken with roast baby new potatoes? You can serve with some green beans tossed in olive oil and lemon, or similar summer veg or salad? Slow roast shoulder of lamb rubbed with some herbs and garlic would also work well with these sides.

For pud I'd go with something traditional like apple pie / crumble and custard, sticky toffee pudding or easy, like good quality vanilla ice cream with strawberries dusted with icing sugar. (Or you could even get a bar of 70% dark choc and melt it and dip the strawberries in then leave to set!)

Or a lemon tart would go nice after chicken, served with some raspberries on the side.

Or you can't beat Choc brownies served warm with ice cream and raspberries dusted with icing sugar.

(Disclaimer, I don't usually use terms like dusted with icing sugar etc. But they sound like the sort of guests it's needed with )

[bookbook]

I nearly said roast chicken!
And anything with raspberries is good :)

[daisydalrymple]

Dc3 is poorly so I've been watching Jamie's 30 minute meals this afternoon whilst he's cuddled / slept on me on the sofa. Thus the 'tossed in olive oil and lemon' type suggestions

You could always take them to the seaside for fish & chips in newspaper, followed by a 99 mr whippy ice cream.

[springiscoming16]

Thank you ladies....very interesting idea. What about a maroccan cous cous with lamb followed by one of those lovely dessett? Maybe too light? I might go for roasted chicken drumsticks with lots of potatoes, salad and corn?

In regards to the puddings, i am bad at making them. Would you buy them ready?

[daisydalrymple]

I was going to suggest you could buy a good lemon tart from a supermarket / m&s. Brownies are actually quite easy to make, only trick is don't over cook. Or lovely fresh berries with the good vanilla ice cream idea. (Even grate some dark choc over the top!)

Lamb and Cous Cous sounds great, especially if you do a slow roast lamb which once it's in is little bother for when guests are with you and couscous fairly easy to prep at the last minute. You could do some flat breads and dips too maybe.

[bookbook]

ooh, slow roast lamb sounds wonderful! in fact Nigella does a fabulous one here , incredibly easy, and every time I have made it, have been asked for the recipe
-www.nigella.com/recipes/warm-shredded-lamb-salad-with-mint-and-pomegranate

[bookbook]

I don't think that linked

www.nigella.com/recipes/warm-shredded-lamb-salad-with-mint-and-pomegranate

[springiscoming16]

I have never tried to make the shepherd's pie. Is it difficult? I mean...does it leave too much space for error?