Dinner party ideas

[cleo333]

Hi we have a lovely couple over for dinner sat , they are good cooks and I’ve no ideas what to do for starter and main , I’m an okay cook but have got in a rut . Any ideas I’d like to do something nice for them

Coq au vin is a favourite in this house, or you can’t go wrong with steak and chips.

It depends how confident a cook you are but something like coq au vin, beef bourguignon, etc will be less stressful than trying to cook everyone’s steak to order. I’d always do something pre prepared and cold for starters and then something long slow roast or braised for main, like beef cheeks, lamb shoulder or shanks, chicken in a creamy sauce, or tomato sauce etc. Then have a pavlova or just fresh fruit for dessert.

I’d make a tagine because it can be made in advance (the flavour actually improves with time) and serve with pomegranate and almond couscous and flatbreads.

DH made an oxtail casserole a few weeks ago. It was delicious. Slow cooker, so can be made in advance.

Gordon Ramsay's boeuf bourgignon recipe. Make it a day or two ahead as it will taste better reheated. He serves it with celeriac mash, I think, though we normally do normal potato mash.

For pudding, Pierre Herme's Gateau Suzy is easy and delicious. You can make it ahead as it stays moist. Serve with whipped cream and raspberries.

Or, if you want something a bit fresher, lemon posset is easy, can be made ahead, and can be accompanied by good shop-bought shortbread.