Food that is easy to preprepare for guests

[QualityStreetxoxo]

I often find that when we have had guests over to eat (pre-Covid of course) , I spent too much time in the kitchen getting food ready.

Does anyone have any ideas for food you can serve guests which don't involve loads of time in the kitchen when they arrive?

Not that we can have any guests at present!

[Blackberrybunnet]

Well, as you say, we can't have guest at the moment anyway but here goes:

starters: get a load of cheese, charcuterie and pickles in. this, along with bread or crackers, will be your start every night.

mains: cook up something big that will freeze well: spag Bol; chilli; curry; fish pie; boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin; etc. freeze it and defrost on day as needed, serve along with salad and fresh veg

desserts: buy in ready-made or else make easy peasy ones like pavlova (buy re prepped meringue); Eton mess; fruit fool; trifle; fruit w. choccy fondue; that Italian thingy with he ice cream and espresso (affogato - just looked it up).

If you need to pooh things up after that, just give them coq truffles and coffee, or cheese and port, or strange and delicious liqueurs.

Sorted!

[Blackberrybunnet]

should say "posh" things up - not "pooh"!!!

[Fivemoreminutes1]

Starters:
Smoked salmon terrine
Melon and Parma ham realfood.tesco.com/recipes/melon-and-parma-ham.html
This version of the retro prawn cocktail www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/starters/ultimate-prawn-cocktail
Mackerel pate www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/speedy-mackerel-pate/

Mains:
Oven-baked risotto
Savoury cheesecake realfood.tesco.com/recipes/savoury-cheesecake.html Delia has a good feta cheesecake recipe
Tagine served with couscous
Chicken casserole
Sausage plait and green salad realfood.tesco.com/recipes/sausage-plait-with-caramelised-onions.html

Desserts:
Pavlova
Mousse
Fruit flan

[QualityStreetxoxo]

@Blackberrybunnet Thank you for the great ideas 😊

[QualityStreetxoxo]

@Fivemoreminutes1 These suggestions are fab!

[Dotinthecity]

We often do a traybake. There are a good variety of recipes online. You can prepare them earlier in the day ready just to pop in the oven. We also use our slow cooker.

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Make as much ahead as possible and write down a time plan!

Starters:
Soup;
salads (e.g. Greek salad; Caesar; Nicoise; tomato & mozzarella)
Terrine (chicken/meat if you're having a light main course, salmon or veg for a heavier main course)
Pate with melba toast


Mains
Casserole/stews (slow cooker is your friend here) - e.g. lamb tagine; boeuf bourginon; lamb shanks; coq au vin

'Tray bakes' such as moussaka, lasagne, cassoulet

If you're going grand, things like salmon en croute and beef wellington can be made ahead and popped in the oven.

Make gravy/jus/sauces ahead of time and reheat.

Roast potatoes are great because you can parboil ahead of time, stick in the oven and they are very forgiving. Or mashed potato can be made ahead and put in a dish to reheat in the oven. Or things like potatoes boulangers which take a long time to cook but also sit well in the oven

Electric Steamer is great for veg when entertaining

Desserts:
Anything which can be mainly prepared ahead. Sticky toffee pudding reheats well and you can serve it with ice cream rather than custard which will save you time.

Pavlova is a lovely dessert, personally I like to leave whisking the cream until I'm ready to serve but would prepare the topping.

I could list tons of desserts but most can be made or at least prepared ahead.

[Greaterthanthesumoftheparts]

I did a lovely dinner with guests just before Christmas and pre-prepared almost everything.

1. Beef Wellington - prepared all but pastry in the morning, keep in fridge wrapped in cling film (I seared the beef then wrapped in duxelles, fois Gras and pancetta)
   
2. Prepare and cook potato dauphinoise in the morning, cool and store in fridge.
   
3. Top and tail French beans and blanch, store in fridge
   
4. Clean baby carrots, place in a small casserole with white wine, butter and fresh thyme, cover with foil, store in the fridge.
   

When your guests arrive pre-heat oven and enjoy a drink. Using ready made pastry, spend 10 mins wrapping beef Wellington and throw it in the oven with potato’s and carrots. When everything is nearly ready gently fry the green beans in butter and garlic. Put everything on the table and enjoy.

[QualityStreetxoxo]

Thank you all for these ideas! Much appreciated.