Dinner Party menu ideas please ...

[Millie1]

I'm having a small dinner party in a couple of weeks - just 6 of us but one of the invitees is an absolutely brilliant cook. I'll never match her nor would I try to but would like to do something really nice. I'd thought of a shoulder of pork a la Nigella or Hugh whathisname ... rubbed with various chilli, garlic etc and then cooked in really low oven for 16-24hrs. Has anyone tried it? Also, it's a huge piece of pork to feed up to 10 people and really I'll only be feeding 5 as I'll have to do something plain for one guest. Can I get a smaller shoulder and any advice re the cooking time adjustment? Maybe it's crazy to play with a new recipe. Any other ideas - would like something that can be got ready in advance and will just cook/reheat itself - preferably to do with dauphinois potatoes (again, another advance thing!). Desert I'd thought a baked cheesecake but it depends on the main and starter I haven't a clue. All dinner party menus welcome!!!

Thanks

Hi Millie - quantity for scallop and proscuitto salad - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. I did the proscuitto in advance and you dont need any fat in the pan - I just turned a small frying pan on for about 3 mins to heat up then chucked the proscuitto in...let it fry until it goes crispy. I would do the scallops last thing though as they are nicer hot - hope this helps!

Nigel Slater does a fab carelised onion and basil cream pasta dish that is lovely with roast lamb.
I have never tasted anything as gorgeous. Also another vote for lamb with pomegranates - it's a great dinner party dish served with daphinoise potatoes (again nigel slater has a lovely recipe for this and it's v.easy) My idea's would be:
French onion soup with toasted cheese french bread or asparagus chargrilled with bacon and salad

Roast lamb with pasta or daphinoise potatoes,

and chocolate puddng to finish!

Feel free to cat me if you would like the recipes.