what is your go to easy yet impressive dinner party menu.

[Heavymetalmater]

Have friends coming for dinner at the weekend. One grown up veggie and one meat eater to cater for plus an additional three kids. Was planning on doing something simple for the kids earlier eg fish fingers as I know they will all eat it. Need something for the grown ups.

Any suggestions would be great. Something impressive but cheapiah if possible as don't have loads of money at the moment to spend on luxary items.

Thanks in advance.

Think about what you like and realistically what you can afford.
Taste and experience of friends together is worth more than expensive food, if you see what I mean.
Is it a sit down dinner.
Salmon fishcakes with chilli lime & coriander,
A well made pasta served with nice bread rocket etc.
A good quality made beef / chicken in wine with roast veggies.
Think of the pictures in the magazines, even pesto pasta looks good. What have you got in your fridge or freezer to use?
Veggies, I'll get back to you.

Veggie- red onion & goats cheese tart, gnocchi with spinach & parmasen, roast veg & bean stew.

In those circumstances (i.e., kids playing, chatting to mates, a veggie) I would go all veggie and v easy.
So, eg - starter - antipasti with enough stuff for the veggie, e.g. caponata, garlicky green beans, good olives, slithers of parmesan, bread, picky bits generally, bit of parma ham on separate plate for meat eaters, (in bits, not slices so not costing 100s...)

Main - Simon Rimmer's butternut squash lasagne I always recommend. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Pud - something like a chocolate mousse so can make ahead. Goes well with Jamie's Orange and polenta biscuits (his recipe makes hundreds so halve!).

Cheese and biscuits if kids still running amok. Coffee and taxi if not.

Delia's mackerel pate or fig and gorgonzola salad
venison bourguignon
elderflower panna cotta

rats. Sorry, didn't read the veggie aspect!

There will
Be lots of kids?

Go simple
Do baked potatoes or wraps and stuff for people to choose from - veg chilli, sour cream, grated cheese etc

Don't spend a fortune or be really fussy over it.

Loving the suggestions everyone. There will be five kids. Like the wraps maybe fajitas would be good. What would you put in for veggies apart from peppers and onion or would that be enough.

Roast veg with butternut squash and halloumi or quorn pieces?
Veg chilli with veggy mince?
A spicy thick tomato sauce with green olives?

Veg chilli recipe
Brown onions and sliced peppers. till caramelising
Stir in chopped garlic and cumin powder
Add grated or finely chopped sweet potato
Cook a bit
Add tinned tomatoes and passata
Salt, pepper, sugar
Tin of aduki or borlotti beans
Veggy or quorn mince
Cook for a bit with some dried oregano sprinkled on
Stir in chilli sauce to taste (I use Tabasco) and a bit of ketchup
Can make it very mild and adults add chilli sauce at the table

Wraps are nice made up with iceberg lettuce,sliced tomatoes and cucumber, fresh coriander, jalapeño chillies, sliced black olives, grated mild cheese (mozarella and cheddar mix or a crumbly white cheese) and sour cream or a garlicky creamy dip

Tesco do some lovely tiny round red sweet chillies in a jar

Yum
I am getting hungry
Sweet potato wedges are nice too

Huevos rancheros are lovely

www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Mexico-Scrambled-Eggs

www.flourishingfoodie.com/2013/05/huevos-rancheros-with-scrambled-eggs.html?m=1

Though can't be cooked in advance

Also guacamole is really nice

If kids are fussy, chicken goujons go well with this sort of food. I find entertaining is relaxing when there is a spread of food and everyone can choose what suits them, spicy or non spicy, etc.