Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Food/recipes

For related content, visit our food content hub.

Original poster

Unexpected v posh foodie guests and need incredibly sophisticated recipes that can be thrown together in 5 minutes.

123 replies

Quattrocento · 07/05/2010 22:00

Please?

OP posts:
Heathcliffscathy · 07/05/2010 22:17

cheese. remember cheese (can do this instead of dessert with some lovely muscat grapes if you can find or some quince cheese (from cheese shop) if not.

honestly go for berries in some form for dessert...keep it simple. definitely make sure your berries are out the fridge for at least an hour before you serve, organic double cream, sprinkle of sugar...very english and lovely.

MarthaFarquhar · 07/05/2010 22:18

go french - buy in good patisserie

or serve British raspberries or strawbs with mascarpone

Original poster
Quattrocento · 07/05/2010 22:18

Yes, Bonsoir, I remember that you told me where I was going wrong with risotto but I can't remember what it was that I was doing wrong

Was I putting the wine in too late? I think that was the problem.

Asparagus risotto would be fantastic

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:18

Yes, you were putting the wine in at the wrong time. But asparagus risotto does not want or need wine - just really fab chicken stock.

Heathcliffscathy · 07/05/2010 22:19

NO NO NO...nothing labour intensive, you have to stand over risotto...you want to be free to chat glass of their wine in hand!

fishie · 07/05/2010 22:20

berries are still disgusting / disappointing. don't risk it.

Original poster
Quattrocento · 07/05/2010 22:20

Eton mess? Meringues are quite quick and easy to make, combines the berries too

Will do the cheese thing as an alternative but really no time to go to cheese shop

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 07/05/2010 22:21

ring for takeaway.

they just showed up?

yeah, takeaway.

MaryMotherOfManchego · 07/05/2010 22:21

Can I come too???

We went to foodie friends last week.

Asparagus wrapped in parma ham.

Coq au riesling.

Cheeses

Baked Apples with some kind of crunchy topping and I think amaretto or something (I was too stuffed to have any)

All gorgeous. Nothing complicated.

Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:21

You don't have to stand over risotto - just make the soffrito early on, before guests arrive, as far as adding the rice to the soffrito and letting it cook but before adding stock. Parboil the asparagus and cut into chunks beforehand too.

Then, 20 minutes before serving, heat stock to boiling point and continue cooking, but on a very low heat with the lid on pan, by absorption (no stirring).

Heathcliffscathy · 07/05/2010 22:22

disagree fishie, had some fab raspberries yesterday.

but ok, what bout poached pears (always a winner) with choc sauce...bit too autumnal methinks.

or home made icecream? ooooo homemade choc sorbet coming right up with a langue de chat or something.

or nigella's slut red jelly, or muscat jelly, and alcoholic jelly for dessert, she's good on those.

Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:22

Yes, Eton mess fine if great strawberries, great cream and great meringues.

MaryMotherOfManchego · 07/05/2010 22:22

yy to something you can chuck in the oven and forget about until they arrive.

Original poster
Quattrocento · 07/05/2010 22:23

Expat I really really can't give them a takeaway. They would smile and eat it politely and I would know that they were forcing it down and loathing every morsel.

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:23

You need something very low cal in between your asparagus risotto (starter) and Eton mess (pudding) though. Baked Turbot slices with a few teensy potatoes and wilted baby spinach?

MaryMotherOfManchego · 07/05/2010 22:24

Some kind of slow cooked oxtail perhaps. Omm nom nom....

expatinscotland · 07/05/2010 22:24

Uggg, people like that are just too much like work IMO, Quattro.

Original poster
Quattrocento · 07/05/2010 22:24

Now I'm feeling nervous about my meringues

What makes a great meringue?

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:24

Or Dover sole? Cook in oven pre-heated to 250° C in a pre-heated oven pan with pre-heated oil/butter mix? Takes 7 minutes and you can wilt spinach while doing it.

MaryMotherOfManchego · 07/05/2010 22:24

By Quattrocento Fri 07-May-10 22:23:24
Expat I really really can't give them a takeaway. They would smile and eat it politely and I would know that they were forcing it down and loathing every morsel.

Miserable feckers

Bonsoir · 07/05/2010 22:25

I buy meringues in the pâtisserie! They are fab!

MaryMotherOfManchego · 07/05/2010 22:25

Sainsbury's makes a great meringue.

Chop it up and mix with stuff. They'll never notice.

fishie · 07/05/2010 22:25

agree with soph.

wild smoked salmon
fish and new pots, asparagus
nice cheese
not vile astringent berries with a tinge of mould. mango? i have had nice watermelon recently.
bought in ice cream?? could make a fruit sauce with frozen rasps.

Heathcliffscathy · 07/05/2010 22:26

roast a frigging chicken or two with loads of garlic and lemons up arse

new pots

wilted spinach

bobs your uncle.

nothing nicer than a lovely organic roast chicken yum

fishie · 07/05/2010 22:27

slow posting, wandered off.

where were rasps from soph? i live v close to new spitalfields but all greengrocers here buy the cheapest rather than nicest so is supermarket for me.