Cooking for 6 adults on a shoestring - help!

[StetsonsAreCool]

Me and DH go out for dinner 2-3 times a year with 2 couples we've known for years. Our next night out was meant to be this weekend, but we can't afford it, or a babysitter, so have offered to host them at our house instead. So far, so good, and they've been very understanding and accommodating.

But what the Jeff do I cook? Needs to be straightforward, as I'm not that nifty in the kitchen. And I'm at a MN meetup on the afternoon, so hoping not to spend hours preparing...

Was thinking some sort of casserole/dumpling dish that can be done in the slow cooker and easily divided up. Unless anyone has any bright ideas?

Curry night! A veggie curry or dhal (or both) plus a chicken or fish one. Rice, salad and minty yoghurt. Chapatis and bhajis (I'd cheat and buy these).

Sorry - missed the slow cooker bit, but dhal works well in sc.

Chilli con carne. Add rice, tortilla chips, guacamole, grated cheese and sour cream (severally or together) and it's a fabulous feast.

Thanks you two, I do a good chilli actually, but i didn't think of that! Love the idea of curry night too. I'll hunt down recipes tomorrow and go to the supermarket on my way home from work