What to cook? (For someone who doesn’t cook)

[spagbowlexplosion]

Hoping Mumsnet can help! I’ve got dp family over on Thursday evening for the first time and neither of us can cook/ever cook much but they are very domesticated people and cook amazing food.

Was going to do a BBQ but weather looks crap so I need help for suggestions on what to cook? There will be 6 adults. I can follow a recipe as long as it’s precise... I don’t want them to leave thinking I’m crap!

Should I do starter and desert too?

they’re staying over too (sort of - in RV outside) so want them to be full and happy...

Is it a special occasion?
How many people?

What about a chilli with sour cream, guacamole etc? Chilli can take a while to simmer but it's dead easy. Bbc goodfood have a classic recipe.

Could you do something like sausage and mash? You would just need to grill some really nice pork sausages (3 each) and make a big pot of mash with lots of salt and butter. Serve with something like green beans and make a quick red onion gravy (or you can even just use shop bought gravy).
For dessert you could just buy a nice cheesecake or lemon tart? I wouldn’t bother with a starter but you could put some nibbles out like crisps, nuts, olives

Do yourself a favour and get Jamie Oliver ministry of food book. It’s really good at teaching you basic recipes that you will actually use.

If it’s casual I would do something like a big pasta dish with salad, garlic bread on the side.
Fajitas
Lasagne
Chilli
Salmon en croute with veggie/salad.

What kind of food do they like? You can’t really go wrong with a traditional sunday roast with all the trimmings (buy in starters and dessert).

How about Delia smiths shepherd's pie. Its delious and really easy to follow. Then just chuck more veg in the microwave
Do picky bits as a starter then buy a pudding

Pulled pork? www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pulled-pork

If you’ve got an aldi near you they’ve got joints in at the minute stamped “great for pulled pork”! Get one of them!

Put some potato wedges in the oven. Do stuffing (packet, just add water). Buy apple sauce, bbq sauce and some part baked rolls. Get coleslaw and some sweet corn (wrap in foil, 30 mins in the oven at the same time as the pork).

And yes, buy Jamie’s ministry of food book and work your way through it.

You can do a roast (very tender when done in a slow cooker) potatoes and veg,
Roast chicken, roast potatoes and veg,
Spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread
Salmon(done in the oven), potatoes with skins on, veg and crusty bread
Chilli and rice
Chicken pasta bake with crusty bread

Not very good on desserts never eat them

I love BBC Food recipes and Delia Smith. Sooo easy to follow and normally turn out great if you stick to the recipe and don't go rogue

I second the Jamie’s Ministry of Food recommendation, it’s a really good book.

My favourite recipe from it is the chicken and leek stroganoff - it’s so easy and tasty and was the first thing I ever cooked for my husband. You can find the recipe here (not my blog!) www.google.co.uk/amp/s/clarecooks.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/jamie-olivers-chicken-leek-stroganoff/amp/

Thank you so much! I wasn’t expecting anyone to reply so really thank you!

I considered a roast but is that a bit of a risk with timings?

I’m now thinking Mexican. Fajitas/nachos I have done (from a Packet )

Or pulled pork as I do have a slow cooker and that seems really easy to leave.

It’s a fairly casual affair, they live at the other end of the country and have never come to us before.

I’m way more nervous than I expected!

If you're not cooks I'd go for something that cooks long and slow so you're not faffing about in the kitchen at the last minute. The previous OP had a great suggestion with pulled pork. You can have loads of cold sides that can be bought/prepared in advance - sweetcorn relish, coleslaw, jalapenos, brioche buns... if you really wanted a hot side, go for frozen French fries or wedges.

For dessert I'd do a cheesecake that you can make the day before. Then all you need to do is dish up. Jane's Patisseries Lotus biscuit one is delicious. Really easy to make but tastes delicious.
www.janespatisserie.com/2015/05/01/no-bake-speculoos-cookie-butter-cheesecake/

I never do starters. I prefer a big hearty main course and pud.

I'm an experienced cook and this is exactly the type of thing I'd cook too. Nothing worse than having guests over and spending all your time in the kitchen missing out on everything.

First of all, you got this!!!

I'd suggest a one(ish) pot dish
Spag bol
Fajitas
Shepards/cottage pie
Chilli (with jacket potatoes)
Even a nice chunky soup?

I'm another to say get ministry of food, it's got some pretty yummy recipes in it let alone it teaching basics.

Also as a lot have said, snacky nibbles rather than a starter and get a pudding from the shop, profiteroles are always a winner in my house.

Mainly enjoy the evening!

I’d go either pulled pork or fajitas from your list. Neither need much skill and won’t stress you with timings. Plus there are lots of sides you could easily add.

Right -
Pork belly in the oven for 20 mins, when done chop into bitsize , put in wok with shallow fried onions, a jar of apple sauce, Levi roots jerk sauce and cook for 5 mins until thickened, top with sliced spring onion.

Serve with: baked potatoes chopped in half topped with sour cream and chive.

A salad with sliced mango, baby leaves, red onion, tomato, cucumber, more spring onion and pine nuts. Top with lime juice and white pepper.

Dessert- no bake banoffee pie (dip the banana in brandy, topped with lime zest

If you need more meat? Spatchcock a chicken and rub with cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, white pepper and olive oil. In the over for 45 mins.

Honestly?
I would get a couple of lasagnas from M&S or Tesco Finest. Salad.
Breadsticks, crisps and olives or other snacky bits beforehand.
Shop bought cheesecake after.
Mumsnet is fab for learning to cook but it's something best done gradually and at leisure I feel. Too stressful to do it on demand and for that many when you're not very experienced iyswim.

Why not use this as a bonding opportunity with the family, and confess you are not very experienced in the kitchen, and are you doing xyz right?
It would make me warm to you and want to give you tips and hints.

Bluetrews25 that is a lovely idea actually!

Or chuck money at the problem and head to Cook

I love cooking but in your situation it appears a millstone. If you don't have a passion or flair for it then why put yourself up for it?

www.hairybikers.com/recipes/view/spanish-style-chicken-bake

This!!!! But I doubled the potato and put in a whole chorizo for 4 people. Only had chopping board and roasting tray to wash up after.

I'd make something you can do in advance and then just pop in the oven so that you aren't stressing about it at the last minute.

Something like lasagne or Shepard's pie would be lovely and still feels like a centrepiece.

A nice antipasti starter and a shop bought desert would be my plan.

I'd pick something where you can do a lot of the hard work before they arrive like a shepherd's pie- assemble it before they come then pop into oven when they come. Chilli, spaghetti bol and curries taste better reheated.

Spag bol.

Stick some chorizo in it and fancy bits.

Offer pasta, baked potatoes, cheeses and bowls of bread / garlic pizza bread.

Massive Eton mess for pud.

Easy.

If you have a slow cooker this recipe is your friend-dead easy:
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-sausage-casserole?utm_source=app