If four long-lost friends announced they were in town and coming to dinner tomorrow night and you were going to be at work until 90mins before they arrived, what would you cook?

[artichokes]

One is a veggie (but eats fish).

I want to cook something nice, I have not seen them in years. They are coming at 7.30pm tomorrow. I will be at work until 6pm. It has to be simple. But impressive.

Help!

I wouldn't cook anything!!

I order something in and enjoy the time with my pals rather then fretting over what I'm feeding them.

Sounds like the start of a Nigella Express episode!!
Keep it simple and easy - and have lots of wine so the food doesn't matter!!!!

Cod baked in white wine, with prawns, mushrooms and baby tomatoes.

It is so simple and an explosion of tastes. Just pop the cod in a flat oven proof dish, whilst you fry the mushrooms for 5-10 mins. Throw them over the cod and scatter baby toms, halved and whole around the edge. Put in a large splosh of white wine and bake for 15-20 mins. Serve with saute potatoes done in olive oil, which you can make tonight, then fry for 5-10 mins tomorrow night, adding a few herbs to them, and broccoli - steamed for 5-10 mins. Fry the prawns and then drop into the dish, just before serving.

Yummmmmmmm

Get in 4 different pizzas, a few bottles and sit a chat. They are coming to see you. not judge you on your culinary skills. I bet they won't even notice/remember what you dish up

Thanks for all these ideas. If only I were an organised domestic type then I would be able to follow some of them. Sadly i am no and so I cannot make anything tonight as my cupboards are bare (DH is away so I can't go out to the shops). All shopping will have to take place on the way home from work tomorrow.

I just wanted to make them something special as they are Americans and are only in London for the night.

I am tempted by the suggestions of a baked camembert starter followed by a risotto and then Eton Mess. But I might just be setting myself up for stress.

Indian takeaways are quite rare in the States, so in a way it would be an exciting treat for them...

stuffed peppers and salad followed by some shop bought delicious pud and lots of fizz!
have a great time

If you want to cook & shop tonight, big veggie lasagne - prepare & assemble tonight, bung in oven tomorrow. Posh salad & bought pud!

Otherwise go for takeaway - I definitely wouldn't want to be racing round tomorrow!

sorry - x posted!

If you can't shop/cook tonight - definitely go for takeaway curry. Lots of good veggie options.

that sounds completely delicious artichokes. i would feel very special if you made this for me. i actually feel a bit sad re takeaway comments - i know that it's a pain if a friend feels she 'has' to rush around with her head in the oven, but it is so fantastic to be cooked for, also you have 90 mins when they are not there, isn't that right? if you can bear to, i bet they would be so pleased.

takeaway

"I am tempted by the suggestions of a baked camembert starter followed by a risotto and then Eton Mess. But I might just be setting myself up for stress." Shouldn't be too stressful. Camembert looks after itself, and can be kept warm until they arrive. Eton mess v.v. easy and quick - can be made while chatting to them. Jamie Oliver has a 2-step trick to risotto in which you part cook the rice and onions, spread them out on a tray to cool, then cook with rest of ingredients later. It's in his "Cook" book.

Though something like the baked cod mentioned earlier as a main probably even less stressful - everything in the oven (apart from Eton Mess!) - time to do any last minute things which crop up.

Book a restaurant

Tbh if I'd been given such short notice I'd just get a takeaway of some sort (not Chinese)

I can't book a restaurant. I have no babysitter.

I think it is a pretty stress free meal plan, but then nothing is that stress free when you are preparing it with 18 month old DD around (she likes to open the oven and stick her head inside when she hears it whirring).

Wish me luck!

baked camembert is a good option, need a cheese, celery, breadsticks and you are done (to posh it up get a clove of garlic and slice into slivers and shove in teh cheese. or rosemary sprigs)

For main I would buy Salmon or other fish and bake. Or if were me I would probably hit M&S and get lets cook main course, plus a tarte au citron and creme fraiche for pud.

I wouldn't. I'd go out to eat.

The stuffed peppers I mentioned earlier are dead easy and yum if you need the recipe just yell

Fresh tuna, baked in the oven with chilli and lime, with boiled noodles and a crisp fresh stirfry.

Take the kids to the restaurant too!

No, sod it. Get an Indian Takeaway if there is the remotest possibility they will be thrilled!

Lol at taking 18 month old DD out after her 7pm bedtime. She is like a monster by 7.01pm. I am not sure she has ever seen the far side of 7.20pm.

I can guarantee they would prefer turkey twizzlers and a can of coke over an evening meal out with DD.

Sorry, this might be toolate for you now. There's a great Jamie Oliver cod & prawn recipe. Not at home so can't check out exactly, but basically: cod, prawns, sliced avocado, basil leaves, in a baking dish. Chuck over a pot of double cream and grate some cheese on top.
I discovered this when in exactly the same situation as you, except guests arrived at same time I came in from work. Made it while talking to them in the kitchen. Served with boiled pots and salad.