Dinner party meal ideas - mostly cooked beforehand

[HolibobsinApril]

So, I have 8 friends coming for dinner in a few weeks.

I'm looking for some inspiration please of what to cook for a main meal.

I have 1 person with an egg allergy
1 have one person who isn't keen on tomatoes
Want to avoid chicken casserole style dishes as that's tends to be standard with our group.

I have a kitchen diner so I dont really want to still be cooking when everyone is here. So, something that I can cook just before they arrive would be perfect.

Any ideas please?

Kedgeree is our go-to: amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/feb/24/how-to-cook-perfect-kedgeree
(with the eggs served on the side/optional topping)

Pulled pork and jacket potatoes. With home made salsa, guacamole and pickled pink onions (and some sour cream) so everyone can personalise to taste.

Chicken liver pate made the day before
Duck with a red wine and cherry sauce - selection of veg
Lemon cheese cake made the day before

Duck can sit in the oven for a couple of hours. The other veg you can prep and put in a steamer.

Save the duck fat to make roast potatoes another day.

Do you just want three courses? I've been known to do 5.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pulled-chicken-black-bean-chilli

I made this last week, I did add extra chilli paste as wasn't spicy enough, but it was delicious and a nice change from beef chilli. You could add lots of accompaniments but the chopped feta/coriander/onion was lovely.

How would that work for the guest who dislikes tomatoes?

If I’m cooking for lots of folks and want to do something different I make Pibil. Deeeeelicious and so easy to make in advance. If you do a full pork shoulder the left overs go on forever in the freezer too. Serve with wraps, rice and pickled red onions. Yummy 😋 Recipe here

Take the pressure off yourself,ring your favourite eatery and get them to do you a take out! I am crap in the kitchen with presentation.I mean truly hopeless so thats what I would do if I wanted to impress!

Pizza or fish and chip van?

Beef & Guinness casserole

but fajitas would be so easy and yum!