best easy dinner party menu?

[Greythorne]

I am thinking boeuf bourginonne as it can be done in advance.....

but stuck for a decent starter that means I won't be tied to the kitchen for the first hour...

any ideas?

Chicken liver pate with a sweet onion marmalade and slices of crostini to spread it on? Smoked mackerel pate is lovely too.

Jamie Olivers Roquefort salad with warm croutons and lardons is yummy.

French Onion soup?

I did lunch for 14 today and menu was potted salmon and crostini to start (BBC good food recipe - it was really easy and could be done day before it was delish too!), beef casserole with savoy cabbage and mustard mash (a la Gordon Ramsey), then nigella's English trifle for pud. It was yum!!

All can be done in advance except for cabbage!

Chicken & spring onion terrine (its a Come Dine with Me recipe). Really lovely, very easy and can be done in advance. here

Something light and fresh before casserole type main:

Salad of pear, watercress, lambs lettuce, parmesan shavings and walnuts. Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. Some nice crusty bread on the side. Assemble a couple of hours in advance and add dressing at the last minute.