food ideas for a small dinner party?

[Frillsandspills]

I'm thinking of inviting a few friends round for a dinner party sort of thing. I'm 17 weeks pregnant so have struggled to go out socialising as much as I'm saving up for all my bits and pieces and I usually go for lots of meals out and drinks with friends (although drinks are off the menu now).

So, if I invite some close friends round (about 3 or 4) for dinner what sort of food should I make? I tend to eat pasta all the time especially when I go out so I want to do something different.

If the weather is nice we can eat out in the garden and have some summery sort of food? But I just have a mental block on what to make.

I'm also thinking of scrapping starters and just having something to pick at, then a main and a dessert, perhaps some crackers and cheese in between.
No vegetarians so I'm open to all food at the minute. I just want to make a good effort!

TIA

How many people?

Ah sorry I see 3 or 4. So 6 total?

This time of year is the best for fresh food I think. I would make some yummy nibbles - edamame beans with soy dip, fresh baby veg eg carrots, sugar snaps, celery etc with aioli or similar dip, and maybe some flatbreads, perhaps with a carrot and coriander side.

For main, maybe a big fresh fish, grilled or barbecued? With some new potatoes, or diced ones roasted in garlic and rosemary. And salads, a green one, a tomato one.

Berry platter for pudding or a pavlova perhaps. Or some brownies with raspberries on the side.

I tend to offer drinks and nibbles as a 'starter' when people arrive as this gives me one less thing to worry about and nice homemade nibbles can be made in advance (smoked salmon on oatcakes/blinis with a dollop of creme fraiche and sprinkling of chives; cocktail sticks with tiny cherry tomatoes and mozarella balls etc.).

If you're after something summery you could make a lovely couscous salad (plenty of herbs and lemon juice to make it tasty) in advance and have chicken kebabs and roasted veg with it maybe with some half-size pieces of corn on the cob. You could also make a green leafy salad with a nice dressing to go with this.

Summery dessert ideas: rhubarb fool, eton mess, a lovely summery fruit salad, chocolate eclairs the eclairs themselves can be made a few hours in advance and are easier than you'd think).

I always worry too much about food when I'm hosting a dinner party but really the most important thing is to offer a menu you feel confident with so that you're not too stressed out when your guests arrive and can enjoy chatting with them as well as serving a nice meal (which they will appreciate whatever you give them).

Chicken legs slashed a couple of times and marinaded in a freezer bag with lemon juice, olive oil and crushed coriander and cumin seeds, then baked in the oven for 40 minutes. Serve with bread and salad. A nice sauce for the chicken is crème fraîche let down n with lemon juice and mixed with chopped mint and parsley. Have a fab time!