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Food/recipes

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Original poster

Right I have 6 people for dinner (inc me and dh) on Sat night and havent entertained for ages.

66 replies

Enif · 22/02/2006 11:54

One of them is a fantastic caterer (when you go round to watch the rugby you get homemade sushi and goats cheese and chili jam croutons for example)

What can I make that is impressive (but not TOO impressive IYSWIM) and lots can be done in advance??

Am having uncharacteristic Enid catering black spot.

Also will be the inaugaration of our DINING TABLE rather than being in the kitchen so feel I need to step up the game a bit with nice table stuff.

Now this is when having full time childcare and being a SAHM would be fabby

OP posts:
pouchofdouglas · 22/02/2006 12:24

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:25

fox I know

I feel like shit and tbh I could do without it

but I HAVE to so need stuff I can do in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:26

www no its not her

they are in three weeks, hoping things may have been resolved/come to head by then

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 22/02/2006 12:27

enid, can't you get a delivery so you don't have to shop, you've got time. b

MarsOnLife · 22/02/2006 12:27

hmmmmmmmmmmm... what do you have in?

Do you want me to send you one of my pieces of chiffon?

Let's work with what you have. My bf is always telling me how I make such an effort... it's not at all... but I do revel in it

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:28

cant your company do it

only tescos deliver here

will check smokery website

OP posts:
motherinferior · 22/02/2006 12:28

Can't DH do it?

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:29

absolutely NO tablecloths that arent stained

we usually use our old scrubbed kitchen table and white crockery and nice glasses

there is a nice lineny shop in my town though so may buy a nice runner from there and maybe some coloured water glasses

OP posts:
SueW · 22/02/2006 12:30

I made this recently when in a similar situation. But I made individual pavs and piled the raspberries on top then grated dark choc over the top.

For starter I did onion tart tatin which meant I had only the main course to deal with in the evening (Jamie's fillet of beef in parma ham).

I have foodie pics of both starter and pud as I was so pleased with them.

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:30

MI he will help by doing kids and also he will be fab host on the night

he will help finish things off and tbh he will also make table look lovely. but if I leave it to him we will all be eating chili at 11.30pm

OP posts:
crumpet · 22/02/2006 12:34

Do you have to have the duck? We recently did a couple of big platters heaped with (v good quality) antipasti-type stuff (lots of different things - e.g. olives/ham/salami/mini mozzarella/bit of scattered rocket etc etc) with some good bread and put them in the middle of the table for people to help themselves - looked fabulous & was so easy.

But don't think it would go with the duck. And see that wickedwaterwitch has suggested something similar...

motherinferior · 22/02/2006 12:38

I meant can't he cook something in advance, as you've got time - do on a weekday evening when the kids are in bed, and then freeze it?

pouchofdouglas · 22/02/2006 12:40

Message withdrawn

fairyjay · 22/02/2006 12:42

Waitrose Entertaining?!!!

sandyballs · 22/02/2006 12:46

Just go to M&S!

drosophila · 22/02/2006 12:47

I'd do something really rustic that can be slow cooked in oven like ghoulash, lamb casserole, stifado or slow cooked curry. You can't beat simple food cooked well.

How about home made ice cream for dessert.

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 12:54

right have been thinking and will do something very easy :

nibbles
chicken savoyarde (can be half made in advance)
green salad
choc brownies (can be totally made in advance)
cheese

OP posts:
krabbiepatty · 22/02/2006 12:58

My God, Enid, I couldn't cook for anyone at all post 30-weeks of pg. You are truly a domestic goddess.

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 13:01

lol

really am not atm

but hearkening after the old days

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 22/02/2006 13:02

Enid, do dukkah and doughballs with olive oil to dip for a nibble. It's so darn trendy and nobody has had it 6 times.

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 13:07

great idea f&z

OP posts:
Hazellnut · 22/02/2006 13:10

The last posh dinner we did, we just did canapes for starter, sitting round the sofas with a glass (or 2) of bubbly. The BEST canapes we do (and I keep doing them and people think they are fab but are v. easy and make in advance) are as follows:

Spread philadelphia on a pancake (english type, either make or buy - I buy), layer of parma ham, spread pesto over that and put rocket on top. Roll up pancake, wrap in cling film for up to 24 hours (the longer the better though) and then cut into slices. They often collapse so sometimes don't look amazing but they taste fantastic.

Other than that we did smoked salmon blinis and other easy usual ones.

Original poster
Enif · 22/02/2006 13:11

have realised they are all pissheads and that dh has four bottles of champagne that he is gagging to open

so they will all be slaughtered by the main course anyway

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 22/02/2006 13:14

WEll there you go enid, you will be serene and sober and they won't give a shit what you feed them!

pouchofdouglas · 22/02/2006 17:18

Message withdrawn

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