Ideas for dinner party where most stuff is made in advance

[adelicatequestion]

I'm having a dinner party and want to be able to make most of it in advance.

I'm thinking casserole/posh stew but that seems a bit ordinary.

Hubby makes a gorgeous walnut and garlic bread so something that goes with that would be good!

Also into the confusion is a cheese allergy, no fish and no fruit in the starter or main meal.

Help pleasec - need some foody people who can suggest a good mix.

my ideas are

spinach and bacon salad
Stewwy thing with bread, roasted veg etc
Meringue/fruit thing or banofee pie with ginger base

I'n not experienced (or competent) in the kitchen hence my desire to pre make stuff and wheel it out on the night.

TIA

Sounds great.
A stew tastes better if made a few days beforehand anyway.

The bread sounds ace.

The bread is fab, walnuts, herbs and garlic and the smell is divine.

I want to plan amenu round it its so good.

The bread could go with either first or second course.
Or both!

Beef Wellington- you can prepare in advance and then finish off? V impressive looking too.

good idea. I hadn;t thought of that - it could merge from one course into the next.

oooh the bread sounds yum

maybe with a soup (I'm thinking mopping up with walnut bread)

what goes with walnuts.....hmm maybe blue cheese?

I completely love stews at dinner parties. My mum does a venison and prune one (hmm quite wintery tho')

Too carby if doing with bread too though.

Don't be tempted to do loads of veg. Just one sort. Maybe even not that if you have a salad for starters.

Beef wellington is abit too complicated for me and I'm not a fan of pate. I agree it does look very impressive.

what about a soup to start? with the bread

beef bourginon

fruit pavlova

Bresaola on rocket with toasted seeds and maybe even slices of mozzarella?

What about chicken and olive in red wine casserole? Melt butter add flour to make roux and add red wine to make casserole base then add browned chicken thighs, seasoning herbs etc then add black pitted olives later. I think its from Jane Asher book originally. It can certainly be made day before and even frozen - I love dishes that can be frozen and whipped out to defrost when you want them - a boon for busy mums! Delia's beef in designer beer is good too but maybe a bit wintry.
Bread sounds yummy - I might try that!
For pud what about making/buying brandy snap baskets and putting in at last moment a scoop of bought/made ginger icecream? tart it up with a sprig of mint and its very popular - especially with men!

delia's pavlova for afters

gorgeous
there is a normal one with passion fruit and a chocolate one with raspberries
so easy to do and possibly one of my favourite desserts

link to pavlova recipes by me on this thread

cant seem to make the nigella site work at the moment though

d0glover

Like the brandy snap idea and the pavlova - a favourite of mine.

I'm coming round to slow roast lamb instead of stew- with baby potatoes and summer type veg.

Thanks for all the great ideas. So many lovely choices now. Will see what looks good when I go shopping.