To ask how you make your meals a bit more posh/fancy?

[WanderingWildflower]

We used to eat out a fair bit but our income has reduced due to maternity leave plus we are feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis (like most I imagine).

So I'd like a few of our (mainly weekend) meals to be a bit more 'restauranty' as a compromise!

So I'm asking, what makes a meal feel 'nice' to you? Good wine, nicer condiments?

And how do I make a REALLY nice roast to match the ones you get at a posh pub on a Sunday 😁

Buy decent quality vegetables that taste great. We spend a bit extra buying some from Riverford organic and they are so much better than bland supermarket veg. When I make a meal with them my OH always comments how good it tastes.

starters or pre meal nibbles like sourdough and olives.

Nice plates/serving wear (tkmax is good) also good quality wine - in nice glasses!

£10-15 on a wine to drink at home and £10-15 on quality butchers steaks is better spent than eating cheap gristly rump steak in a restaurant and their house wine…a really nice at home steak and wine night should be max £30 whereas you’d be spending £70+ on something that isn’t even half as nice.

Ketchup.

There's a lot to be said for garnishes! Some toasted seeds or breadcrumbs to add texture, a nice little dressing or sauce, proper plating with the food nicely arranged...

Nice dishes and plates, good cutlery and napery - we always have a cloth on the table and proper napkins.

These really up the stakes without being too massively labour-intensive.

Yes to PP who suggested Delia. Between Delia Smith and Mary Berry you can’t go wrong with home cooking.

Roast - home cooked all the way, do your gravy and sauces yourself. Cauliflower and broccoli cheese is always a nice fancy addition.