To ask your usual menu for entertaining - LIGHT-HEARTED

[IlooklikeNigella]

This is inspired by the other hilarious thread about serving strawberries and cream being either lazy & offensive or ironically make you a massive snob.

It got me thinking though about what I serve most frequently for guests. I do try new things and and am always keen to take on a new challenge if someone is on a certain eating plan.

However my most typical serving would be -

Chopped veg with homemade hummus
Risotto with chicken or fish on the side and a green salad
A cheese board

It might look low effort but imo the devil is in the detail when it comes to food; home roasted nuts, dressing and fresh herbs bring it to life. Where it is low effort is the serving - I actually love entertaining and I want to be with my guests instead of getting hot and bothered in the kitchen so I like something that is easy to throw out when they are there.

What do you like to serve up?

Yabu - sounds rubbish
Yanbu - sounds great

A full roast and a fruit crumble with custard. This never fails to please.

Sounds lovely although I’d struggle to cook risotto while also trying to eat a starter- are you not up stirring all the time?

Would much rather have a meal like this than a poorly done but superficially fancier one. My worst is when people try to replicate old-fashioned restaurant fine dining presentation at home- stacking things in towers etc.

This does sound good. I'd be traumatised by the serving up and number of dishes.

I don't really "entertain" but on the occasions that I've cooked for friends and family it's usually a really good veggie or meat lasagne, beef casserole, chilli or or something I can prepare in advance and leave to cheerfully cook itself. Pudding is usually along the lines of fruit, a pie or sweet tart made in advance, with cream or (if you're lucky) home made custard.

I make the BBC Good Food oven baked risotto. You prep it, stir it & stick it in the oven for 20 minutes and voila, it’s done. It’s been a game changer for me.