To serve gammon in Coca Cola, egg and chips at a dinner party?

[Shhhhhhhh]

Well not me actually, it's DS 17 who is cooking.

We're in London for uni interviews for few days. DS has just got interested in cooking and he asked me to pick up a gammon so he could cook me dinner tonight . My best friend from college and her fiancé have just moved to London from Spain so I suggested we invite them to dinner too as DS loves them to bits.

DS has just asked me to pick up some "cheap coke" and announced the menu tonight is gammon cooked in coke with egg and chips Not quite what I expected...

BF and her fiance are total foodies, in fact, he works in the restaurant industry. Luckily they also have a sense of humour (and no history of heart disease or diabetes).

The thing is, I am supposed to be making a starter and dessert. WTF goes with coked up pork?

I'd be happy with that!

Maybe you could do a starter of sonething like chicken wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks (American diner type food)?

For dessert, brownie sundaes with salted caramel sauce?

It sounds gorgeous. Any room for a Little one.

I would invite them saying dd is cooking and the menu.

Egg chips and gammon is my favourite dinner. I would be happy.

I'd love it

How about lemon posset for dessert? Very simple to make.

We cook ours in ginger beer but it's a firm favourite at ours - I say do it!

Sounds great. Ham in coke is a Nigella recipe, so will appeal to the foodies.

I'd stick with a trashy, retro theme for the rest. Deconstructed prawn cocktail? Mississippi mud pie?

It's not a 'dinner party' though is it?

You're just asking friends over for some dinner.

It sounds lovely!

Yummy! Onion rings and brownie. What time should we arrive?

Sounds like a lovely, relaxed evening with people who are at ease with themselves and each other. Your DS sounds great. Starter wise you could go a bit more fancy like scallops with pea puree (additional pancetta if you want to go double pork...). Alternatively you could stay 'on theme' and choose something more pubby, like stuffed potato skins. I'd probably go with the former though, so they don't get too full!

Don't use too cheap cola though it does make a difference. The nigella recipe is good

Start with nachos. Finish with brownies. Sounds great.

Yes, it's fine but use proper "fat coke". If he does proper chunky chips too it sort of all goes nicely. I also agree with the "American" themed ideas for starter and pudding.
Shall I bring wine ☺

WorraLiberty no, it's not quite a "proper" dinner party but DS wants to get out the candlesticks, linen napkins, and set the table formally

Pea puree and scallops, and lemon posset sound delicious and exactly what I'd want to counteract the heavy ham, egg and chips. I suspect DS will prefer to carry on the theme with things like onion rings and chocolate brownies. Or maybe a Jello salad.

Whatever, it is, I'm sure it's going to be a lovely evening. Thanks for all the ideas!