Coming round for a nice dinner - what do you want to eat?

[Ribenaberry12]

I’ve got some friends coming round for dinner soon and I want to cook something really, really nice for them as one of them has a new job so I want a bit of a celebration meal.

They’ve said they eat anything/don’t mind what we have/just surprise us but I’m stumped. There are no food allergies.

What’s the nicest thing you’ve ever eaten round someone’s house? And if you were coming over what would you like and what would
make you go ‘ooooh, that’s a bit more special that the usual shite we get from Ribenaberry12’?

I would want something simple and unfussy that didn't involve the host running around. Tasty and easy

Chilli baked in the oven for hours with all the trimmings.

Moroccan Lamb tagine with flatbreads and couscous

Coq au vin with crusty bread and veg

Your beef bourguignon and mashed potatoes sounds good to me. And you can prep everything in advance so you’re free to enjoy the evening.

Roast chicken and salad

Pasta

Curry

Pie

Something a restaurant wouldn’t offer. Very plain, very good home cooking.

My go to is always this slow cooked ragu with fresh pasta, and this muscavdo tart for dessert. They both take a little bit of prep, but it can pretty much all be done before your guests arrive!

The nicest meal I had at a friends house was a slow cooked venison stew with creamy mash and honey glazed veg. The stew gravy was so delicious, rich and thick, it was my first time trying venison and it felt fancy without being obscure.

Pudding was a homemade sticky pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. It was all fantastic.

I think a home made dessert shows you care. A simple roast chicken or stew plus fresh fruit and veg is fine.
The nicest dessert anyone has made for me was that dense, gooey, eggy French chocolate cake which is basically cooked chocolate mousse.

I usually go old school, so Lemon meringue, pineapple upside down, cherry clafoutis, peach cobbler, baked cheesecake, Black Forest, light airy sponge in a mountain-shaped Bundt tin.
Not crumble.

Seared scallops on bitter leaves with a citrus dressing.

Daube of venison & mushrooms with colcannon and carrots

Pear Belle Hélène

Very seasonal, different enough to be celebratory, most of it can be prepared ahead of time.

One of my friends specialises in the best vegetarian lasagne. I don't know how he does it - I've tried and it was nowhere near as delicious. I think he uses butternut squash, roasted peppers, that sort of thing.

I love a perfect beef casserole with baked potatoes, then something a bit lighter for dessert like a homemade cheesecake, or lemon meringue pie.

This. 😋 Love beef bourginon. And red wine. What time do you want me?