Vegetarian GF dinner party that can be prepared in advance?

[oxcat1]

I have 5 Friends coming for supper on Tuesday, my first time entertaining alone since DH left, so I am quite nervous about it all, and I don't yet know these people that well, although I hope to.

One additional complication is that I am in a wheelchair, so I need to have as much as possible prepared in advance, and try and avoid last minute cooking as that will have to be done by the guests. They all know i'm in a wheelchair, so will be prepared to help out, I'm sure, but I don't really want them slaving over te hob or anything.

One couple is vegetarian, and two of us are GF, so I thought I'd do it all veggie GF. One couple has spent a couple of years in the Lebanon and the other has Indian origins, so I am a bit wary of cooking something they would cook much better!

I remember reading somewhere that lots of Ottolenghi recipes can be served at room temp, but I can't now find any?

My original thought was several curry dishes, as then there should be something to suit everyone, but that's quite a lot of work for me, and I am worried about inauthenticity. I am also wary of cooking that much rice!

I thought about this aubergine upside-down cake, but what would you serve it with?
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/dec/04/yotam-ottolenghi-recipe-vegetarian-christmas

What else could I do that could be prepared in advance?
Perfect would be something DIY, or something in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves....

I think I will do this for pudding: www.cooked.com/uk/Dale-Pinnock/Quadrille-Publishing/The-Medicinal-Chef/Sweet-treats/Cheating-chocolate-orange-delight-recipe

[mummmy2017]

Make a soup, easy ones, then get some part baked bread, that only takes 8 mins too cook, you can just cook at the last min and place on the table, if you make several, you will have some for yourself for the next few days.

My fav is..
Fry onions, mushrooms, basil and oregano in a pan.
Add to tins of chopped mushrooms and cook for about 15 mins,,, on simmer. leave in the fridge. heat as needed.

Oh and the soup can be used as a sauce in Sag bol, and Lasagna...

[mummmy2017]

sorry add 2 tins of chopped Tomatoes, not mushrooms

[oxcat1]

Fantastic. Thanks. Soup is a good idea for a starter, and people can easily help themselves.

[oxcat1]

Has anybody got any tried adn tested slow cooker risotto recipes?

I found a slow cooker butternut squash and goats cheese recipe. I know that goats cheese is a love/hate food so I thought I could do the basic butternut squash risotto, and then have a number of optional extras on the table, like goats cheese, wilted spinach, slices of a good sausage etc.

But I am scared about risotto in a slow cooker, and about the uncertainty of the timings in the recipes I've seen. 4.5-6.5 hours? That's a long time to wait if i allow 4.5 hours!

[kateandme]

there are some great oven cooked risotto recipes too hun.search google.
also curried rice.
jambalaya etc.so you can do the same and serve veggie and gf but with extra in dishes like chicken thighs or chorizo,cheeses etc.
a starter idea some French stick.and those selection deli meat packs from supermarket.olives.feta etc.and jar roasted pepper and tomatos.this u can put together and sevve nicely on platter.but all is there ready made for you to just need to lay out.
you could do some veggie gf stew.with some gluten free cobblers.its in a big dish on hob or oven so easier to handle maybe
or diy pizzas.
some vegetable crumbles
stuffed peppers.
falafals and flatbread
dahl
veggie and pasta bake.
mized bean and veggie curry
try going on to the goodfood website and in the search bar searching for glut free vegetarian and then clicking main course in the side bar.ive been and had a look for you and therr seem to be some lovely ideas you might be able to pinch from.

[LiveLifeWithPassion]

If you use a pataks paste, you can make a really tasty and simple veg curry.

[kateandme]

regarding the risotto.could you do the stir in stock bit by bit method on the hob?are you ble to do that.becasue if you can then you could always do it ealrir than its needed even the day before.it keeps well and then your friends just need to warm it through.weve done this before.done the long slog of slowly stiring through stock the night before.keeping it in fridge in a Tupperware then just wamed it through.sometimesadding a nob of butter or bit extra stock/cream/etc.

[GreatThingsWork]

This risotto is really good and easy. And really does only take 6/7 minutes to cook at the end
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/mar/23/readers-recipe-swap-burnt?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

[GreatThingsWork]

It's the burnt aubergine no stir risotto. You'd have to use veg stock cubes...

[AutumnalTed]

My mum did a veggie gluten free tagine with rice! Tagine can be cooked in advance, easy peasy, sweet potato, butternut squash this time of year, chick peas, spinach, tomatoes, corgette and rice can be done when guests are there! Plenty to eat and everyone can serve themselves straight from the pot or slow cooker!

[annabel89]

I would do a vegetarian chilli in the slow cooker, and then serve it with baked potatoes, some guacamole/ sour cream and some cheese so people can add their own toppings

[Modestine]

Watching this space. Good luck, OP.

[Starryskiesinthesky]

The aubergine dish looks great and i would serve it with a nice green salad and crusty gf bread. Yum!