Casual dinner party for 4 adults: suggestions please?

[Erebus]

I am thinking or a 'main' of pre-rolled out (frozen) pasty oblongs topped with pizza like stuff, maybe olive, mozarella, sundried tomatoes type stuff; 2 salads, one green or greek + another (?); garlic balls?

But what to 'start' with? good bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar if I forego the garlic 'bread'? There'll be nuts and veggie crisps with drinks beforehand- and what about dessert? Thinking of something cream/mousse + fruit based?

Should there be more? The DH is a tall, thin man but with a healthy appetite!

These are old friends but I still want it to be 'nice'!

Thanks for any suggestions or ideas.

[Erebus]

MacDonald's?

[Ragwort]

I wouldn't do bread with olive oil if you are following it with the pastry oblongs - what about crudites with a dip (or not bother with a starter if you are having nuts/crisps?).

Chocolate mousse for pudding? Or a pavlova with fruit? I did an old fashioned sherry trifle recently and everyone enjoyed that .

[cyb]

Yes I'm making sherry trifle tomorrow night. Delish

Pavlova is a easy option

[OTheHugeRaveningWolef]

If you can get them, edamame beans make a delish starter - just boil them and serve with a bit of soy. Lovely nibbly food, very light and people seem to like popping them out of their pods. (Well, I do, anyway ). You can buy them frozen from Asian supermarkets usually.

[billgrangersrisotto]

What about a nice Italian antipasto type thing - cold meats (Parma ham, etc), olives, a nice cheese, sun dried tomatoes, etc? You could make it Spanish style if you fancied and go for chorizo, manchego cheese, etc.

[Erebus]

Some great ideas here! Thanks!

Others also welcome! It's tomorrow evening so I do have time to sort myself.

[TheSkiingGardener]

I'd have a look at pizza places menus and see what they offer. Often small salads or garlic prawns maybe.

[Ragwort]

Well, what did you serve in the end? .

[Erebus]

Antipasto as suggested followed by 3 'pizzas', one grown-up pepperoni based, one ham/pepper, one caramelised onion and feta, more of a tart (yum!); with garlic balls, all followed by lemon syllabub!

Many thanks to all, we had a really nice evening!