Suggestions please

[Yorky]

So, friends' DCs are at Grandparents next week so they are coming over on Tuesday evening to have a grown up meal.

Any suggestions as to the menu - not as posh as 3 course diner party with cheese and port! but struggling for something nice and easy to prepare while I have have 2 kids all day, but which isn't something we often eat as family, like lasagne and salad

Hope that makes sense
Thank you

[moondog]

BBQ?

Something Thai?
Curry, rice and zingy salads

Paella

Mexican style [tortillas, guacamole, chilli/refried beans, salsa, sour cream ,lettuce]?

Kebabs

Roast chicken and tabbouleh

[dizzymare]

Steak and stirfry

[Overmydeadbody]

Goulash with tagliatelle covered in melted butter and breadcrumbs and served with a nice salad? or is that too family mealy?

Could you do rolled sushi? I do this for adult suppers but wouldn't recommend it if you haven't made it before, it takes a bit of practice to roll them neatly!

How about a chicken and cashew nut stir fry (search ken hom's recipe) with steamed basmati rice and a stir-fried veg dish (green beans and sesame seeds are nice)?

[Overmydeadbody]

chicken and cashew stir fry

[HuffySpice]

Mexican.

[TrinityRhinoIsInDetention]

mexican is perfect I reckon

[Sunshinemummy]

The Gordon Ramsay Salmon en Croute is dead easy and absolutely yummy. We've done it a few times for special occasions. Recipe here.

Otherwise I tend to do things like Keralan fish curry, Mauritian prawn curry, fish burritos, lamb tagine etc.

[Overmydeadbody]

I love Salmon en Croute

Always thing of mexican food as quite kiddie or massy big kitchen suppery. Would be happy to be served it at someone's house though!

[Yorky]

The chicken and cashew sounds lovely, I'd been thinking more about slow cookery stuff so I can do quite a bit while DS is at nursery, but liking picking everyone else's brains.

Think I'll leave sushi for another day [wimp emoticon]!

We eat Mexican quite a lot at home, DS (2) loves his 'roll up sandwiches'

[Yorky]

Forgot ot ask about dessert - hot, cold

I have a nice white choc baileys mousse recipe, or is the weather going to be stodge and custard by then?

[Yorky]

Well that tranquilised that thread - am I the only one who loves talking about dessert?

Found some nice peppered steak in Asda this afternoon so am now wondering about slicing it thinly with garlic, peppers and onion in a creamy sauce - anyone any recipes or guidance for something like that?

[hairymelons]

for pudding do a really nice trifle or eton mess, something that can be done ahead and left in the fridge.
For the steak; brown in oil then remove with slotted spoon. Add finely chopped onion and sautee until golden brown then add garlic and cook for another minute or two. Add a splash of brandy or wine then boil down until reduced. Tip onion/ garlic/ alcohol reduction onto meat, wipe pan clean with a piece of kitchen towel, place back on heat then fry strips of pepper. Add meat, onions etc. back into pan, add a glug of cream, salt, pepper and any chopped herbs you fancy and just bring to the boil, reduce slightly then serve.
Can do everything up to adding cream etc. ahead of time then it's just a 2 minute job to get it ready to serve. Nive with tagliatelle or pilaf rice of little roast potatoes and summink green.

[Yorky]

Hairymelons - that sounds exactly what I was after, even includes alcohol! You're a star

Would it be too much with a creamy dessert after the creamy sauce?

[hairymelons]

Oops, meant nice not nive!
If you have plenty of fruit in the trifle/ eton mess/ whatever too it should be fine.