Dinner party critique?

[ApolloandDaphne]

I am hosting a dinner party for two other couples next weekend. People who are good friends and who will not be critical. No dietary issues either. Here is my proposed menu. Let me know what you think?

Starter: Prawn and salmon terrine with mini oatcakes

Main: Beef in Barolo with parmesan mash ( Delia recipe). Cumin roast carrots

Dessert: Mango and passion fruit meringue roulade

Will also do a cheese board and there will be plenty of wine etc.

I would welcome ideas for snacks to have with drinks before dinner as they arrive at 6 and dinner will be around 7.30/8.00.

Thanks.

I think that sounds fabulous. Do you have space for two more?

Sounds fab. I would add something green for color to the main dish. Steamed sugar snaps/mange tout, something like that.
I actually don’t like oat cakes. Flavour stealers.
I would bake some brown soda bread. It goes fab with fish. Or make Melba toast.

I’d just do olives/pretzels as snacks.

Yes something green might be a good idea. Long stem broccoli?

I love oat cakes. We are all Scottish and I guess they are part of our heritage. I will be sourcing locally made ones. Might look at what else the local farm shop can provide.

I hate both olives and pretzels!

Sounds lovely and nicely balanced. Save me a chair

Long stem broccoli can go rather flaccid. I'd stick with something very plain like buttered peas.

Snacks - good crisps like Kettle chips, antipasti artichokes and peppers, Spanish style fried corn. Thinly sliced half baguette baked until crisp them spread with sun dried tomato paste and a bit of basil/cube of feta/piece of roasted pepper. Toasted marcona almonds.

Sugar snaps, mangetout or green beans instead of peas maybe?

Ooh the baguette tomato/feta thing sounds nice. Might go for that.

YUM!

If you want an alternative to oatcakes peters yard do a lovely sourdough crisp bread.

I think the beef will need a robust veg. Green beans might work.

I've got some purple sprouting broccoli in my garden, if I bring it can you squeeze me in ?

If you have a Tesco near you, their in-store bakery sourdough baguette is gorgeous. They don't always have it, but if they do it's a cut above the normal baguette.

I have a very small Tesco nearby. I live in rural nowhere. But I do have a great farm shop and butcher.

I wouldn't go too big on a snack. Particularly as the meal isn't hours off. Nigellas bar nuts are gorgeous!

Menu sounds lovely. If you are adding green to the main course I think wilted spinach would be lovely .

Not fond of spinach. Do like fried kale though.

Baked slices of baguette will keep a while in a tin too. I like those mini croustade cases too - I usually put crayfish tails with sriracha mayo in them, but that's too similar to your prawn starter. Antipasti mushrooms heated and a little creme fraiche added and sprinkled with chopped parsley would be good.

Snacks are good if people are drinking though. People always find room for the meal!

I was going to suggest some greens to.

(What's Barolo? )

Do they know you won't be feeding them until 8 ? Just seems quite late if you are inviting them for 6 ? I know lots of people don't eat until later, but people will adjust what they eat during the day, depending on when they are eating at night.

Sounds delicious.

Sounds lovely

Fry some small cubes of halloumi with chilli and put into baby gem lettuce leaves. Squeeze over some lime juice and sprinkle with coriander. Makes delicious but not too filling snacks. Looks pretty on a nice big serving plate as well

Barolo is a red wine. And very lovely it is too. 🍷