Have lost cooking confidence - does this sound OK?

[legalalien]

I used to have dinner parties a lot but have stopped since having DS (exhaustion, general depression and lack of confidence).

But, in an effort to stave off social isolation (as you mnetters always say, stop talking about it and DO something), I've invited some friends around for a BBQ tomorrow.

Nice friend is organising some fish. Does this sound OK for rest of it (as usual have been scouring the pages of my Cuisine magazine collection)

• starter: feta cheese melt thing - essentially involves cooked cubes of french bread mixed up with warm feta and mind - you melt it over the barbeque and serve with some sundried tomatoes and olives (easy since out of jar)

• main course (apart from fish that friend is bringing), beef fillet with tomato / onion salad (beef on BBQ will be a bit of a novelty, but there are some quite clear instructions and if I can get it right for friends I might be able to try it out on DH's workmates)

• plainish green salad (will buy some french dressing or something since have dire fear of separation issues if try my own)

• dessert: pineapple / watermelon / rockmelon wedges sprinkled with chilli-infused vodka (wanted something light)

does this sound OK to you?

are you doing jacket pots on the bbq or corn or summat?

sounds really lovely

(if you are doing pots, you can pre cook them for a little in the microwave if you are worried about them being ready)

ooh - corn good idea.

will add to shopping list. DH has volunteered to shop (although have some concerns about letting him choose the piece of beef, might have to tag along or make sure he calls me on the mobile)

I am a vegetarian so reserve judgement on the beef, but the rest of it sounds really tasty. If I were you I would let guests spinkle their own vodka on the fruit (unless it really needs to soak in) in case anyone isn't keen on the idea.

You will have a fab time, good for you for making the effort!

Sounds delicious (apart from chilli vodka for me). You can invite me anytime .

just noticed - "mind" should be "mint"

yes, corn v little effort to cook too!

it's a fabulous weekend for a bbq

Ooooh it sounds bloody lovely, especially the beef and onion salad.

fortunately nice friend (male) can cook really well and knows how nervous I am, so I can rely on him to help me out!

awwww at your nerves

you know what, I bet you'll be posting on here tomorrow telling us what a success it was!

what drinks are you serving?

I went to a wonderful bbq recently where the hostess had made this elderflower and white wine thing (with mint). It was delicious and v refreshing (and not that alcoholic as the wine had been diluted by the elderflower).

Sounds mouthwatering (have you room for a few more ) Have a lovley time.

just to set expectations - it's at lunchtime tomorrow, so will doubtless post in an inebriated fashion tomorrow pm.

Most of the guests are Aussies, so will be bringing their own wines and beers (socially incorrect to turn up to a BBQ without bringing anything) - otherwise I think it will largely be a lager and white wine affair, although I may sort out some Pimms, which all of us find kind of quaint.

Sounds great.

I'm having a gang around tonight and am doing.....

blinis with sour cream and caviar (dh works in former USSR)

asparagus,potato and fetta frittata

paella

green salad

tomato salad with basil

bread

cherries

G&B chocolates

moondog - that sounds great too - I LOVE blinis.

except the cherries - I don't get cherries

Eh???

Food of the Gods.
Cost a fecking fortune at mo.
£7 for a kg.

I don't get yuor bread and cheese thing though.
Do you warm it in a pan like a bready fondue or what?

(Yes you deffo need some carbs with that food.I would also maybe add a cucumber salad with sour cream and dill)

website down at moment so can't post link - essentially, slice french loaf and cut each slice in half, butter, bake in hot oven until golden, then put in foil container with crumbled feta, mint and olive oil and pepper, and stick container on barbie for five minutes, then cover with more foil or put lid on barbie, further five minutes, then stick on platter with semi dried tomatoes and olives. Looks good in picture, if sort of jumbly

Rightyo
Sounds very nice but a bit of a meithier surely to do individual foil parcels?

moondog - ONE container - then divvie up. Am not up to fiddling around with little parcels. Plus Oz culture dictates that women are not allowed near the actual BBQ - would I trust DH with something that fiddly? No way.