Dinner Party Ideas please

[persianpeach]

My son is bringing his girlfriend to meet us all for the first time on Saturday and I need to prepare meal for them and I'm at a loss. Feeling the pressure as she has just got s degree in food science!

Any ideas please?

I wouldn't stress. What is your sons favourite meal, maybe make that?

Why not go for a region you feel comfortable with, tapas for starter then Spanish chicken or a meze then lamb shanks, or Mexican or Italian... Or start with a crowd pleasing course you know well and build the meal around that?

I'd make some thing that didn't need perfect timing, maybe coq au vin or Spanish chicken with simple side dishes, salad or potatoes Dauphinoise.

Dips and flat breads or melon and Parma ham for a starter and ice cream and berries for pudding.

It's nice and summery, much of it can be prepared in advance so you will have plenty of time to chat to them, it's simple and homely so you will all be able to relax and get to know each other.

I always do a roast as it's my best dish.

I would make it relaxed and informal, maybe a BBQ or a help yourself affair maybe a puff pastry tart or quiche, cold gammon or a side of salmon, buttered jersey royals, homemade coleslaw, tomato mozzarella and basil salad and a green salad.
Maybe a strawberry cheese cake for pud.

Blackened spatchcock chicken served with a lovely big green salad and a side dish of roasted new potatoes with roasted asparagus, mange tout, mint, chilli and lime dressing with feta and fine chopped spring onions.

Big jug of apple, elderflower and sparkling water with cucumber slices and basil through it.

Strawberries and cream with shortbread thins for dessert.

Might be wise to ask your son if there is anything his gf doesn't eat or like - could prevent an awkward situation on both sides