Dinner Party for Ten - Ideas?

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Not too formal, so I can get away with only two courses. But I'm struggling for inspiration!

Last time I did similar I went for a vaguely Moroccan theme, so three different tagines, cous cous, tabbouleh, flatbreads, salads etc which worked really well. Different people, but I don't want them to think it's the only thing I can cook!

I don't think I have oven space for a roast for that amount of people (and there are two vegetarians, so I'd have to do a separate something and gravy, even with them having everything else the same).

One or two are a bit fussy (but I don't know them quite well enough to know just how bad they are) so it might be better having a mixture of things they can choose from, rather than just one option.

Puddings are fine - maybe a tart with creme patissiere and strawberries/raspberries, or pavlova, or peach Melba, or pear belle Helene.

Any ideas for the main? Thank you!

Could you do

• A couple of quiches - you could do a veggie one and a quiche lorraine or even a salmon and leek one ( a nice one is puff pastry with a filling mix of half eggs, half ricotta mixed with lemon zest and lots of mint and then peas, some spinach, some broccoli, some mangetout peas in the pastry before you add the ricotta and egg filling , then top with some circles of goats cheese then once cooked sprinkled with some more lemon zest, some pink pepper and some paprika.)

• A big Greek salad

• A nice cucumber salad with finely sliced cucumber lime zest and thyme

• A chickpea or lentil salad with red onions and coriander

• A nice carrot salad with a honey, garlic and orange juice dressing

• A big green salad

• A green bean and parsley salad

• Some nice ham or chorizo

• Lots of bread

Curry?
Several dishes catering for everyone.

I would do different curries with Poppadums, naan bread, mango chutney, Bombay potatoes, raita, you can also make these vegetarian, do different meats in the curries.

I would go for a big side of salmon with preserved lemon and dill, with a red onion tart tatin for the veggies, some buttered jersey royals, maybe nice bread, homemade coleslaw and lots on ice salads.

Along the same idea as your morrocan banquet, so lots of different dishes:
Mexican, Italian, Greek mezze or Indian. All can have a mix of veggie/non veggie dishes.

Oh these all sound nice, thank you!

I don't cook curries that often so might avoid it this time, but it does sound ideal so I'll practise that for next time.

I really like the sound of the ricotta and lemon tart/quiche pimmsy - I might just try that for a tea one night.

I'd go tapas. So much variety for both meat and veggies

I forget to add that for the quiches I often add a lot of softened onions with turmeric at the bottom.

For the rest you can just wing it, even with just a very low egg proportion they set.

Sometimes I do ricotta, fromage blanc and eggs, sometimes I add goats cheese and just blend the egges in the magimix with the ricotta and herbs and lemon zest.

Mexican

Chicken fajita
Veg fajita
Chilli
Nachos with guacamole, sour cream and salsa
Refried beans

We did a great Caribbean night a few weeks ago.

Jerk Chicken
Curry Goat (ask a butchers)
rice and peas
tomato salad

really simple and a good crowd pleaser

Maybe do tapas this time?

Op bumping for more ideas

I often cook for 10. Usually a couple of plates of italian anti padti in the middle to start (cheeses, salamis and olives etc). Then a meat (roast fillet of beef, Donna Hay style or Lamb) with a couple of salads, usually Ottolenghi .
Jamie Oliver has a great butterflied lwg of lamb, morrocan style, that i do in the oven or bbq. Without the roast veg. Then serve with a cous cous salad and green salad.
Thai style banquet, a green curry and a mild stir fry, with rice and salad.

ooo I haven't heard of the Ottolenghi Salad, look impressive but easy. I'll have a look at Donna Hey now.

I did this recently for 20 - some salads, tortilla chips, sweet corn, and some roasted veg on the side.

Key lime pie, homemade ice cream, brownies for pudding.

It was intended to be very casual.

Lady Peter - That looks great - and would keep a lot of different people happy (no veggies in this party)

I have never heard of Chipolte paste, I might have to give this a bash as it looks lovely anyway!

I used the Sainsbury's chipotle paste but cut the quantities because it can get quite spicy. The beer did seem to give it a depth of flavour.