Friends for Dinner

[TeaOneSugar]

We may be on the verge of having a presentable kitchen again, having been in between building work and decorating for the last couple of years.

I'm looking forward to being able to have people over for dinner again, and I have a list of people we "owe" dinner.

Anyway, I am really out of practice and out of date in terms of what to cook.

I'd appreciate a few menu suggestions. I don't do formal dinner parties, we're talking about having friends and probably their DCs over for dinner. I don't mind lengthy or fiddly prep as long as I can do it beforehand and I can spend time with my guests and also look calm and super organised .

The last few times I have had 'family dinners' with friends I have done:

• veggie curry, mattar paneer, yoghurt and mint dip, coconut rice, (bought) bhajis and samosas, cucumber and onion salad - icecream and fruit for pud

• chickpea tagine, cous cous, salads, treacle tart and icecream for pud

• baked risotto, roasted tomatoes, peppers and asparagus, rocket salad - chocolate cake and berries

• huge pan of pasta with homemade pesto, garlic flatbreads, rocket and tomato salad - icecream and maltesers for the children and icecream with coffee poured over for the adults

• big quiche, roasted garlic and rosemary new potatoes, salad - trifle for pud

Ooh, some lovely ideas there thanks.

Best cookery book in the world for this is Diana Henry's Cook Simple. She wrote it after having children and it's got loads of impressive looking things that are easy to do and - crucially - can be prepped in advance so you can get the children so bed and look calm and in control by the time your guests arrive

Thanks mooseylucy, I'll see if Amazon has it.

I have done maxican food for friends and DCs in the past...

Enchiladas for the adults, quesadillas for the DCs. Big green salad, as well as a black bean and corn salad for all. Lots of guacamole, sour cream and salsa.

Coronas with lime for the adults, or margaritas if you fancy it.