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Original poster

I need a 3 course menu for Saturday

55 replies

Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:02

We have a work contact of Dhs and his wife coming for dinner on saturday evening. We went to them a few weeks ago and he cooked a fantastic meal and served a really impressive array of wines, champgane, ports and cheeses too.

Now we can do the wine and champagnes, that;'s fine.

I enjoy cooking but need some inspiration. I have loads of cook books - just need pointing in right direction.

She isn't a big meat eater apparantly.
I don't eat any meat, but I do eat fish. I don't do hot or spicy either. Oh, and I recently had an allergy to shell fish though (love it sadly).
He doesn't like apricots and isn't a big fish fan.
DH gets what he is given!

I am thinking that the main course will be fish based for me and the man's wife, and meat based for Dh and the man.

I know what I am doing for dessert as I perfected it last week and it was so delicious. I am doing Nigella's chilled lemon rice pudding. It is so lovely. It is quite rich though.

I am looking for a starter that I can prepare in advance or that literally takes minutes to throw together at the last minute.

And then two main courses (one fish, one meat) - again I don't want to be in the kitchen the whole time they are here. Things I can prepare in advance mainly is good :) Dh did say he fancied fillet steak maybe.

So, any ideas greatly appreciated - thank you :)

OP posts:
cod · 21/03/2006 22:04

why not all have fish

what the hell do they eat at home the at couple?
odd

i liek a cnape type satrter that you eat with drinks
mcu h less hassle and give the cook time to sort htemselves out

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/03/2006 22:06

Is this the one where you took the train, and needed to trael light ?

Thomcat · 21/03/2006 22:06

Starter - asparagus with parma ham for meat eaters, or just drizzled with butter for all.

or brushetta, you can do a tomato and a others as well.

or a home made soup?

Main - how about a vegetaian lasagne, and a nice salad?

cod · 21/03/2006 22:07

take em out to a restaurnat

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:08

LGJ - yes it is.

Cod - the man isn't particularly keen on fish. I'd rather do something I know he will enjoy rather than risk it with fish IYSWIM.

I am used to making two mains anyway so not a problem, seeing as Dha nd DD eat meat and I don't.

Canape style starters good. have a nice bottle of vintage Bollinger to go with it - so what to serve?

OP posts:
Thomcat · 21/03/2006 22:09

How about biting my style and doing an italian night?
Antipasti to start so you can do fishy, meaty and veggie.
a small portion of risotto as the 2nd course.
main - veggie lasagne so you don't have to do 2 different mains.
Desert - profitteroles or tiramasu
Cheese
Coffee and chocolates

????

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:10

cod - will have DD at home in bed; restaurant not an option. besides I like cooking.

Needs to look impressive, even if easy to cook :D

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:11

Italian might be good - although means not doing my yummy lemon rice pudding - that is so good, honest!!!

Have jamie's new Italian cook book...

OP posts:
lucy5 · 21/03/2006 22:11

For the Fish course pinched from nigel slater

Fish steaks with lemon, coriander and cream
For 2
2 fish steaks, cod or halibut about 2.5 cms thick {i often use normal cod fillets }
100ml/4fl oz double cream
juice of half a lemon
2 table spoons of fresh coriander leaves, loosely packed
salt and pepper

Place the fish in shallow baking dish. Mix the cream with the lemon and coriander add salt and pepper if you like. Pour the lemon cream over the fish and cook in a preheated oven at 200c/400f (gas mark6) for 12 minutes.

This is to die for!

cod · 21/03/2006 22:13

agree risotto a very good idea but dh hataes it
reagards it a s pot rice

lucy5 · 21/03/2006 22:13

Oops, maybe to much lemon, sorry didnt notice your pud!

cod · 21/03/2006 22:13

agree two differnt mains is bad
thinkt hey are very rude to be so specific

liek feeiding kids

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:14

The fish dish sounds good and very much my type of thing. The simple flavours and letting the fish come through. Mmmmmm. Definitely on my list of possibilities - will have to see what fish Waitrise has in on saturday morning!

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/03/2006 22:14

How does twice baked goats cheese souffles sound ??

Or

pan fried halloumi with lime and caper vinagerette??

cod · 21/03/2006 22:14

erm the same as every other mornign!
or do somehtign en corute
get some salmon en croute and steam some vbeg wiht it
everyone will eat samlnon surely

cod · 21/03/2006 22:15

id do pan fried fussy arses

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:16

cod - we asked them their likes and dislikes. I personally like to check to make sure I cook something they like. Makes me feel more confident when feeding them! We have to do this when we go to people's houses anyway as I don't eat meat and have a new shellfish allergy.

I really am very happy to cook two different mains - I do it more than half the week anyway so it is no problem with me.

OP posts:
Thomcat · 21/03/2006 22:16

Do lemon rice pudding and call it Italiano limocella sweet risotto lovliness!

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:16

The souffles sound yummy - is it pretty simple to do or will it be guaranteed to sink on me?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:17

Goood idea Thomcat Grin

OP posts:
cod · 21/03/2006 22:17

oh god dont do a siffle
all that worry

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:18

cod - our Waitrose seems to have different fresh fishes different days, their stocks seem to change quite a bit. Although they ofte have the same packaged fish on the shelves. just thought I'd see if they had something a bit different available on the morning I go.

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/03/2006 22:20

\link{http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/twice-baked-goats-cheese-souffles-with-chives-and-balsamic-vinaigrette,1327,RC.html\You bake them the night before and reheat they are to die for}Grin

Bozza · 21/03/2006 22:20

Could you do a fish in a sauce for the ladies and chicken in a similar sauce for the blokes? Then serve with the same potatoes and veg?

Original poster
Hulababy · 21/03/2006 22:21

I have that veggie cook book too - hmmm, tempted but a little scared of making souffle!

OP posts: