Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Food/recipes

For related content, visit our food content hub.

Original poster

Dinner party ideas

33 replies

cucumberegg · 17/02/2023 09:41

Having a dinner party for 6 people soon. Bang average cook but I'm good with desserts. Can anyone suggest any easy ish to make starters & mains that look impressive? Only thing to consider would be no fish and nothing too spicy. Any dessert ideas would be great too, I can go a bit fancy with those!

OP posts:
My281NewestName · 12/04/2023 22:52

I served it with roast baby potatoes, broccoli and carrots. Simple but nice, it was only a family meal so there was no pressure.

Can’t say the look of the pressed pork before the second cooking looked appetising though! Was great as I actually pressed it over two nights due to a change of plan so really easy to prepare in advance for the future. And so tasty, something I usually have in restaurants but has never tried at home.

peanuttery · 12/04/2023 23:37

My281NewestName · 12/04/2023 22:52

I served it with roast baby potatoes, broccoli and carrots. Simple but nice, it was only a family meal so there was no pressure.

Can’t say the look of the pressed pork before the second cooking looked appetising though! Was great as I actually pressed it over two nights due to a change of plan so really easy to prepare in advance for the future. And so tasty, something I usually have in restaurants but has never tried at home.

Yeah, it can look a bit weird. I usually slice it into neat squares or rectangles prior to cooking for the second time, as I think it's more visually appealing.

The taste of the crackling though 🤤

My281NewestName · 12/04/2023 23:55

Do you find frying or oven is better for crackling? I did it in the oven at 230 for 20-25 mins and it was tasty but not all crackling. All edible though and not a morsel left 😄

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 14/04/2023 17:03

@peanuttery thanks for the recipe, I can't wait to try this.

TriedTurningItOff · 14/04/2023 17:15

@Jings sorry to hijack, but what recipe app do you use please? I'd love one that would allow me to collect recipes from all over the web.

thymewaster · 14/04/2023 18:05

Starter do a chunky veg soup or pate on crackers.

Mains deffo do a roast of some sort. You could always mix it up and do Caribbean style with rice and peas (rice & kidney beans) Mac & cheese and fried plantain.

JingsMahBucket · 14/04/2023 21:15

@TriedTurningItOff I use Plan To Eat. https://www.plantoeat.com/welcome/

You can use it via web on any device plus they have tablet and mobile apps. They’re a good bunch and put a lot of work into the product. :)

Welcome

Start using the best recipe clipper, meal planning calendar, and automated grocery list maker today. 14-Day Free Trial, No Credit Card Required.

https://www.plantoeat.com/welcome/

peanuttery · 15/04/2023 00:42

My281NewestName · 12/04/2023 23:55

Do you find frying or oven is better for crackling? I did it in the oven at 230 for 20-25 mins and it was tasty but not all crackling. All edible though and not a morsel left 😄

You can crisp it up 2 ways.. either pan fry face down before going into the oven (for the second time). That starts it off.

Or, I slice the top off and blast it in a hot oven while the pork is resting (at the very end). Then place it on top when I plate up.

Loads of salt on, either way, to draw out the moisture.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page