I’m not a confident cook. Please help me plan a dinner party for 6

[Wellhellothere101]

We’re hosting friends next Friday-good pals and I’m really looking forward to it but I’m stressing about what to make. One of them is a real foodie so I kind of feel the pressure! I don’t love shellfish and my DH doesn’t love fish so they are off limits.
I’ve made them Rachel Allen’s beef bourguignon and Nigella’s carbonnade a la flammonde and both went down really well but as the weather is turning more summery I probably want to avoid heavy beef dishes. Would a curry work? Please help me MN with you easy, fail safe recipes or ideas.
Anything I can prep ahead would be good as it’s school sports day next Friday so I’ll be busy with that during the day. Thanks

A curry is always good, and gets better if you leave it overnight.

Other suggestions:

• a roast is quite easy, you could do a chicken and some roasted new potatoes?
• chicken pie is good and easy, especially if you buy the pastry.

Can't go wrong with Thai green curry and posh rice.

With something involving lychees for dessert. There's a Thai creme caramel recipe here which can be made in advance: www.thespruceeats.com/thai-style-creme-caramel-3217339

Thanks both. Oooh a nice Thai curry could be good. Do you think I could make one on Thursday then reheat Friday?

Nigel Slater's Moroccan chicken with lemons. It's a casserole type dish which is absolutely delicious. We serve with saffron rice and salad.

I hate curry - or any kind of spice TBH. Not even cinnamon or cloves!!!
Wish I did though...

@margotsdevil sounds delicious. I'll check that out. Good point @redwoodmazza but I think my friends like curry so sure it'll be fine.

I think Thai curry is even nicer the next day, although if you're using courgettes or mushrooms then I'd add those the day you plan to serve it or they can go a bit soggy.

Curry is kinda marmite. It’s not so hot you can’t make the other dishes. If you’re not confident you might want to stick with something you know. Or practice a new dish. I love Waitrose’s recipe for Hungarian goulash - though treble the paprika and serve with rice not pasta. It’s very very easy and one of those dishes that you can cook well ahead so you’re not fussing last minute. A great starter if you can get very fresh crabmeat (essential it’s fresh) is to mix the crabmeat with a bit of mayo (just a bit) and spoon it in to individual endive leaves and then sprinkle with paprika. Can some one bring the dessert? If not I think store bought is fine.

Lamb tagine? Will taste better the day after

@Pipandmum'll thank you so much for taking the time to respond but I kind of want to avoid beef and shellfish. I'll check out the ghoulash for the winter though. I agree curry is a Marmite dish. Plus I'm worried my guests will be tired and stuffed after a curry (as I usually am). Oh jeez I have no idea now...

Curry is boring, especially if they are foodies.

How about really slow roasted shoulder of lamb rubbed with a paste of preserved lemons, garlic, fresh coriander and olive oil. Under foil and in the oven at 170 for 5 hours or until you can put a butter knife in it with no resistance.

Serve with tomato, cucumber, red onion & olive salad, mint&yogurt dip, flatbreads, hummus etc etc. Perfect for warmer weather and much more interesting.

I’d go for roast chicken and gravy (add wine to the roasting tin 40 mins in for instant gravy) do 2 if necessary, do a lovely green salad and dressing and add some sort of grain salad - look at Ottolenghi sort of stuff. If I’m cheating I get the uncle Ben type packet wild rice sort of thing, there are some fancy ones, add lots of chopped herbs and scatter with pomegranate seeds.

It’s asparagus season so I’d do that for a starter. Lots of ideas online for asparagus starters.

BBC good food is your friend!

Thai curry idea sounds great! Can you do a few nice little sides, and maybe a delicious cocktail.... these can really elevate dinner!

And if you've had a curry, maybe light fruity dessert? What about just a take on Eton Mess but tropical fruit and passion fruit?

Hummus crusted chicken, if you do fancy sides e.g. beluga lentil salad.
(It’s just chicken breast coated in hummus but it tastes a lot more elaborate; I use a Morrocan spice mix with it).
There are various recipes online if any take your fancy.

Go to cook and buy stuff. Stick it in your own dishes.

This is very tasty

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1166638/sticky-lime-roast-chicken

Oh or Kapama comes to mind: it’s a greek chicken dish with tomato and cinnamon. Easy to make, can be bubbling on the hob on its own forever, but the flavours are quite interesting and unusual.
goop.com/recipes/kapama-braised-cinnamon-chicken/

Personally I wouldn't want a curry made by someone who isn't an expert or experienced at cooking curries.

I make an amazing greek style lamb stew - it's basically lamb shoulder, red peppers, onion and tinned tomatoes with some rosemary and basil -cooked slowly for hours and hours. Then about 5 minutes before you serve add chopped feta cheese. Serve either with rice and salad or roast new pots and salad.

Have you got a slow cooker?
I do the most delicious chicken in white wine in mine, I’ll post the recipe if your interested?
I serve it with rice and roasted vegetables

This is easy and amazing serve with flat breads and salads

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2837673/pulled-lamb-shoulder-with-sticky-pomegranate-glaze

Goodwill pie??
annajones.co.uk/recipe/goodwill-pie

slow cooked lamb leg, roasted veg and spuds of your choice - simple and delicious.

Also, here is a fab, easy chocolate pud

Delia Smiths curried chicken salad, it's superb you can make it the day before, as it's served cold, jersey new potatoes and asparagus