So-quick-they're-almost-instant recipes that magically wow your dinner-party guests ... ?

[franch]

I used to love entertaining but have done precisely none since having children. Part of the problem is not having a dining table but I've decided to pull myself together and do some casual suppers in the kitchen for close friends. Gone are the days of elaborate gourmet dishes but I still want to serve up something nice. Am happy to cheat - are any of the Delia ideas any good? All tips gratefully received.

Outside caterers?

Get theeself Nigel Slaters Real Fast food recipe book, its cheap on Amazon, and has great really quick fresh recipes in it.

Big stews that require nothing more than bunging a whole lot of stuff into a pot and puting it in the oven for a few hours?

One pot or dish meals are also good, like fish pie.

i've described my one-pot mediterranean chicken thing on here a few times - will see if i can find a link...

here:

mediterranean chicken

so easy

all in one pot:
chicken pieces/breasts
tinned apricots
pitted prunes
green olives
olive oil and white wine to cover (roughly 50/50)
mixed herbs and a bayleaf
garlic
splash of white wine vinegar
small handful of capers

cook for an hour and a half (assuming feeds 4-6)

serve with cous cous and salad

or you can vary it for a more wintery dish - swap chicken for lamb. white wine for red. green olives for black. apricots for sunblush toms

i think "to cover" is a bad description actually, could be too much -- instead i would say a cup of each

add extra if it looks like it's getting dry during cooking, or if you like loads of juices with your cous cous (i do)

Roasted veg, chicken & cous cous:

Bung chicken quarters and loads of veg in a big tray, drizzle loads of olive oil, chuck in sprigs of fresh rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, loads of unpeeled garlic cloves (you can squeeze out cooked flesh afterwards and stir into roasted veg). Roast.

Make up cous cous with chicken stock, add sultanas and/or apricots.

Make a big green salad (a Harissa & orange zest dressing to go with the slightly Moroccan theme)

Simple as.

Chickpea curry also super easy - ready in 30 mins. Recipe somewhere in Mumsnet recipe section.

Thanks all, these are great.

Already got NIgel Slater maidamess - used to use it a lot in the old days - will dust it off again.

Great recipes Tutter & MrsM

Desserts too ... ?

I like chucking a piece of fish in a casserole dish. Sprinkle on some cumin and coriander. Bung in enough veg for however many there are of you. LIberally pour cream over (double is better imo) and add a splosh of lemon juice. Bung in oven for half an hour. Is VERY yummy (got that recipe off here 18 months - 2 years ago).
Also ratatouille is dead easy. Chop up veg (aubergines, courgettes, red onions, peppers, mushies....whatever really - brocolli florets are also good). Bung in a saucepan. Add a liberal helping of tomato puree and herbs (i prefer mixed). Stir about. Tip out onto a roasting tin. Drizzle with oil and bung in the oven for 40.
I also like the pre-done flours. So for example a ciabatta loaf you add water and oil. Knead it all together and you're off. Always impresses our friends and it's hardly any work.
Also (am on a roll!) butternut squash chopped into bitesized pieces, with pack of bacon and a liberal helping of cashew nuts (for two so you may need to double it up). Add turmeric and coriander (1 heaped tsp of each for 1 medim b'nut squash). Put oil into roasting tray to heat up with the oven. When the oven's up to temperature tip the squash mix in and stir around then cook for 45.
I tend to cook everything at 180ish.
For a salad a pack of leaves, with sliced avocado, sliced brie, pine nuts and a griddled chicken breast served over, with dressing on the side.
I'm sure there are more, but these are probably my favourites. Hope that helps.

lol at "I like chucking a piece of fish in a casserole dish"

I try not to touch fish when it's not cooked (same with chicken) - gooses me out!

Cod's frozen chocolate mousse slice thingmy is v good and piss easy

btw i always notice your name as i had a friend (lost contact now) called helen - was called helly/yelly, who now lives in spain

but you've said things on here that makes me tyhink youre not her...

SHIT! the ol frozen mouss one isposted
tis thebest i upgraded it wiht raspbeiires on firday nithg

and me old curry
piece of piss

frozen mouse, and piss curry?

adn delia maremelade bread and butter puid - cna do all aehad apart from piuring cream mix on it

i haev NEVER ever dn anythign on nigel slater that i would cook

My personal pot-au-chocolate recipe : 1 200g bar plain chocolate, 1 tub marscapone cheese. Melt together, pour into little pots (it's rich!) and leave to set. Or eat, warm, straight from the saucepan.

i did on firday
starters ( indian things and breadsticks and dips)
fisha dn prawn curry( its on the site sowmerhee) wiht delias pilau rice and bits

then delia bread and buter and the codly choc mouse

slovenly pud:

buy posh vanilla ice cream
let it melt a bit

mix with broken maletesers

refreeze and serve with baileys

not exactly gourmet cuisine but delicious nonetheless

Brilliant - thanks all

Where can I find your old curry cod?

hold on