Suggestions for casual evening gathering

[connie26]

I'm catering for 6 adults one evening over Christmas. It will be casual drinking and chatting but I'd like to do something that will impress. Any ideas please? TIA

Will people be sitting round a table or on sofas/mingling? Makes a bit of a difference to use of plates/knives/sharing.

Baked Camembert is easy and delicious. With a platter of things to dip into it eg bread, crudités etc.

Nachos

Johngs on Instagram has lots of lovely recipes

Thank you. I think we will sit down as there's only a few of us.

Depending on the eating arrangement, buy it in, from say Waitrose or M+S, add a few sparklers for the wow, and pour the drinks liberally. Enjoy the night, don't get too hung up on it, no one will notice whether you made it yourself or not, and even if they did, I am sure if they are your friends they won't care.

Not a bad idea greenhousegal. It would save me some work.

I'd do a fondue - nice cheese, nice bread and can do some meats etc as well. Lovely on a cold night

This is when I would do something like a stew or casserole that can cook.slowly in the oven, feels luxurious but also not fussy or complex. I have osso.bucco in my freezer currently - I would do it dor this.

Homemade palma ham and cheese twists.mozerrlla tomato and cheese skewers.
or salmon on blinis with cucumber ribbon christmas trees
Big lasagne garlic bread and salad.
Or big stew and dumplings
A red berry and chocolate pavlova
Or sticky toffee and ice cream.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Plenty for me to think about 👍