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Original poster

Dinner party critique?

46 replies

ApolloandDaphne · 09/03/2019 20:56

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.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 09/03/2019 22:21

Thanks Alexa - that beef sounds even nicer now Smile

Graphista · 09/03/2019 22:31

Each course sounds lovely but...

...the whole lot together all sounds very "soft diet only"? Disclaimer I may be more likely than most to notice this due to man years working in elderly care with people who were on "soft diet only".

I think you need more "crunch" so yea sugar snap peas,

"What's Barolo?" It's an Italian red wine, I would say it's quite a deep rich, full flavoured wine. So that's a strong flavoured dish I'm guessing (veggie).

Snacks - I'd go light but crunchy, I'm not keen on olives with red wine, strong competing flavours.

Al2O3 · 09/03/2019 22:32

It is a good menu but your are wasting the Barolo by using it to cook the beef. It is more than a waste, its garish.

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General food
AdaColeman · 09/03/2019 22:37

I agree that you need something green with the main course, I'd do some thing seasonal, perhaps spring greens or endive?

Snacks before hand, perhaps hard boiled quail eggs with soy sauce for dipping, small cubes of cheese with celery salt, slices of salami, savoury popcorn?

Bluntness100 · 09/03/2019 22:38

I'd also agree some more veg choices with the main.

Past that sounds lovely. I'd also put some olives out as they might like them even if you don't,,,

AdaColeman · 09/03/2019 22:58

Maybe change the parmesan mash to colcannon with cavolo nero?

Meet0nTheledge · 09/03/2019 23:06

I think the main sounds a bit too rich overall, definitely add some greens and I'd go for a plain mash.

anniehm · 09/03/2019 23:06

I would add a green veg to the main - fine green beans have a good crunch against the soft mash. For hor d'oeuvres ensure they are tiny as your menu looks fab, maybe tiny bruschetta (buy from cracker aisle) with tapenade, also they sell tiny little cases in Sainsbury's you can fill with any filling - mackerel pate is particularly yummy in them

Costacoffeeplease · 09/03/2019 23:28

Cheese straws for snacks - always popular

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 10/03/2019 06:40

Thanks you everyone. Lots of good ideas here.

OP posts:
TheBlessedCheesemaker · 10/03/2019 06:51

I’ve made beef in Barolo a couple of times (river cafe recipe). It is well-flavoured and I would therefore hold back on the Parmesan. FWIW it is idiot-proof to make which is a big dinner party plus, but I tend to not bother these days as I find cooking a rare whole fillet creates more delight than the Barolo beef (which although very soft comes out well-cooked). But it IS a good option if you don’t want to risk under/overlooking a roast

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 10/03/2019 07:06

Thanks Blessed. I decided to do the beef as it certainly seems foolproof! Your rare fillet sounds lovely but I am not sure about the beef preferences of two of my guests. The Parmesan mash was the serving suggestions with it. What other potatoes could I serve? I do nice spicy garlic roast new potatoes but that is a recipe I stole from one of the people I have coming!

OP posts:
TapasForTwo · 10/03/2019 07:13

Sounds delicious. I agree about adding green beans or sugar snap peas to the main course. I'm not keen on oatcakes, but that is just personal preference. I find that they seem to suck the moisture out of my mouth.

Meet0nTheledge · 10/03/2019 07:15

I'd rather have plain mash with such a rich main, especially as your carrots are spiced too. Potatoes don't need added flavours to be delicious.

Shockers · 10/03/2019 07:22

My suggestion would be to use a different wine to cook with, and drink the Barolo!

Barolo is my favourite red wine! 🍷

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 10/03/2019 07:45

I already have the wine so will use it. I have two bottles so we have one to drink. I also have other wine obvs!

OP posts:
wowfudge · 10/03/2019 09:01

I may be a heathen, but I'm not a fan of drinking Italian wine. I'd have no problem cooking with it though!

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 10/03/2019 09:04

Wowfudge I am not a fan of Italian wine either. That is why I only bought one to drink with it, sort of to try it. I have bought my favourite reds to drink otherwise. Mostly South American. **

OP posts:
Shockers · 10/03/2019 12:07

It’s £20+ a bottle- it’s not really cooking wine.

wowfudge · 10/03/2019 12:23

Well they do say you shouldn't cook with a wine you wouldn't drink.

Twerking9til5 · 10/03/2019 12:36

Green beans with the beef: perfect.

Sounds fab.

I would go very easy on the snacks as it is a substantial dinner.

Maybe just a small anti-pasti selection, tiny rolls of Parma ham, this slices of chorizo, one type of veg in oil, cornichons.

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