really nice but easy meal

[noddyholder]

I have 2 of my best friends coming this week with kids.I have sorted all the food etc for kids but would like to cook the 4 adults a really nice meal on the night they arrive after a v long drive.Something impressive but easy as I want to be able to chat whilst cooking as i haven't seen them in years.I know sopmeone will think of something before i do!

ok thats it no themes just yummy food which makes me look great Souffles sound dangerous to me might flop

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I am thinking risotto with nice crusty bread and a big green salad with a nice dressing Think I will buy a dessert from marks Not sure about a starter may just put out some things to pick while I cook etc Loads of wine ,nice coffee and chocs May do us all a cocktail for before dinner which will def be 80s style

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I have never made a risotto!I always buy it frm the local deli I know I would cock up the souffle

Risotto should be fine! It's a really nice thing to do if you have people over; you can just stand there stirring for half-an-hour and look all composed and fragrant
Just make sure you get the proper rice (sorry that sounds so patronising but YKWIM I hope!)

I usually do mine with mushrooms, petit pois, white wine, loads of parmesan. Or if I want it a bit more filling I put cooked pancetta in it at the end or chargrilled bits of chicken.

So what's the secret? My risotto always turns to blobby mush, and I use the proper rice too and stir like crazy.

this doesn't sound like a good idea for a 1st attempt!

Don't mean to pput a dampener on it noddy - but it has quite a lot of disaster poptential! Always tastes nice though, just a rather rice puddingy texture.

God, no, I don't expect my risotto would even be recognisable to an Italian! I don't know really, I just keep an eye on it, keep tasting it.

I reckon most of the cooking times on the packets are wrong - e.g. if I'm cooking basmati I always knock 5 mins off the packet time otherwise it just comes out as sludge.

Do you have Uncle Ben's ready rices in the UK? Lemon and herb flavour rocks, can't be messed up, and is fantastic with big fat prawns pan fried in butter and garlic, with lemon, parsley and a big slug of wine. I do that with crusty bread, green salad etc, fancy bought M&S starter and pud and lots of gorgeous cheeses and fruit for my dead easy supper.

Hmmm, I'm coming round to yours then, turquoise You've just described my ideal meal, pretty much.

It's one of several reasons why I've just had to buy a new pair of jeans two sizes larger, sob.

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I can cook we eat loads of fish chicken cous cous roasted veg I can make a really good thai curry etc etc but I think I got in a bit of a tiz as my friend is really famous for her cooking skills and she is the unflappable type I am thinking I shoud do something tried and tested and try out all the other ideas on dp and ds!Just want it to be a bit special not the usual although my food prob not was she usually eats

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has anyone suggested lamb shanks cooked v slowly with lots of red wine, shallots, garlic, big chunks of carrots? serve with creamy mash (add creme fraiche as well as butter and milk plus black pepper). if you do something slowly in the oven, you can spend more time beautifying yourself and slurping wine.

That's what I'm having tonight, bundle! Am cheating a bit and have got them from Sainsbury's where they come with a marinade/sauce thingy that you cook them in - yummy though.