Main course dinner party ideas

[BrassicaBabe]

Hi

I've got 10 people coming for dinner soon. I need some ideas for main course. (Not too sure on the starter either but pudding is going to be chocolate. I like to ponce with wine too on these occasions)

The last 3 dinner parties were
Delias braised pig cheeks (sounds better than it was. Quite dull!)
Venison bourgignone (sp) a nice one for doing in advance!
Home made curries with naan bread

I love a little "faff" but only in the privacy of the kitchen. I like the have the meal mainly sown up before folks arrive. Especially as we have a diner/kitchen so my mess is totally on display!

Also, any ideas for swanky potatoes? I've done duphinoise to death

Tia!

Beef Wellington or salmon encroute always seem to go down well.
I like to keep the potato relatively simple so often just roast baby salad potatoes in olive oil with plenty or cracked black pepper and rock salt. That said I recently dished up duchess potatoes (piped swirls), they were a bit retro but went down a storm!
Otherwise how about a chicken and chickpea tagine with jewelled cous cous?

Delia's Chicken Basque is always a winner. It only needs a salad to accompany it and there is no last minute faffing around.

Seafood lasagne with monkfish, scallops & prawns.

Not sure on a main course but as far as potatoes these are to die for. You can get new potatoes all year round now and this is just a twist on them. So easy, I probably cook slightly longer to get them really crunchy!

Fish pie (can save or splurge on the ingredients)

Pork roulade (looks impressive)

Nigella's meat loaf (if you want a comfort food main, you can jazz it up with the sides)

Jamie's Lamb shanks serve with mash. Forget starters - they are a bit over the top for dinner at home especially if you have 10 people to plate for. Instead go for nibbles - spicy popcorn, olives, nuts with drinks.

Salmon coulibiac is gorgeous and looks impressive
A proper lamb biryani with a couple of other curries
Cassoulet, really rich and delicious

Ooh, there are some lovely ideas here. Thank you! Spoilt for choice now

Hasselback potatoes. Bit faffy but always go down well as they are basically posh chips.

Duchesse potatoes are delicious (make extra because they go down a storm) and aren't much harder than mash, but look v impressive.

Osso bucco is always a good main, either with the usual saffron risotto, or potatoes. Everything can be done in advance and kept hot ready for eating.

Or if you want to go all out, beef Wellington! Can be assembled the day before, so no faffing. Just take it out of the fridge a couple of hours before you need it so it's not ice cold, and get a cheapy meat thermometer to tell when it's done. Can also sub the beef for pork fillets which makes it more economical.

I'm going to have a go at both of those potato sides. Fab.

I've done venision wellington before. Once was a hit the second the pastry (packet!) spilt and slide off the side :-( But it's worth a revisit....

Delia's black bean chilli is my go to recipe for dinner parties:

www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/american-mexican-and-caribbean/black-bean-chilli-with-avocado-salsa

We call it posh chilli (because its not made with mince). The salsa is delish too and the chilli is easy to make in advance and heat through.