I have a starter and dessert - pick my main course

[TrillianAstra]

Had dinner with some friends last night, it was gorgeous. Want to invite them back. Would like to make things that are very lovely for them.

So far:

Bloody Mary gazpacho, maybe some homemade foccaccia (which I will learn to spell first)

????Main course????

Thrice-baked cheesecake (maybe with some fruit)

What do you think?

What did they make for you ...not that it should really matter but gives an indication of what they might like.

I made this a little while ago and it was deliious

What's that aubergine thingy? Moussaka, that's it.

Steak Milanese, room temperature green beans in an olive oil, vinegar and garlic dressing, salad, new pots, stuffed peppers.

They made:

Salad of charred courgette, roasted tomato, rocket, halloumi, and asparagus with homemade basil oil (thisas amazing)

Roast duck with new potatoes and some (experimntal - first time they had cooked it and they weren't so keen) carrots/peas cooked in red wine

Cheese cake with strawberries (bought cheesecake, which is where the discussion of DP's mythical thrice-baked cheesecake came up)

Thanks for all the suggestions

What is steak milanese Bella?

We don't have a BBQ (live in a flat) but do really like lamb. What would you do with that Gigi?

Not so keen on aubergines, they never really seem to taste of anything. Maybe I do it wrong.

Buy some rump steak, bash it to flatten it slightly.

Beat some eggs into a dish then crush some garlic into it, on a plate have some breadcrumbs ready.

Dip the steak into the egg mixture then into the breadcrumbs.

Fry lightly in the frying pan in some sunflower oil.

The prep can be done in the morning and the steak will sit quite nicely in the fridge until the evening.

Lemon possett dessert with shortbread is so easy but really really nice.

What about the slow baked belly of pork that Fanny and I have done. Done it twice now and it is a winner.

Possett? Isn't that what babies do when they regurgitate milk? LDoesn't sound very appetising...

I just did it with some salad and Cous Cous with roasted mediteranean veg in it.

was yum. I think you could probably do it under the grill or in an oven. we ate in the garden so i had it BBQ' ing whilst we ate starters. It smelt amazing.

Breading seems like a wrong thing to do to steak, unless it's rubbish steak. Is that just me being weird?

Tell me again about the pork belly?

I do have a slow-roasted lamb recipe that's really nice actually (garlic and rosemary), I've done that before and it has got a good reception.

Tis like a lemon mousse Portia - delish.

DP won't eat couscous. He's usually pretty unfussy so I let him have that one thing. No couscous and minimal lentils/pulses.

The steak is really really lovely Trills, I have had it since I was a little girl. My grandma used to do it, then my mum and now me.

I will find the belly of pork for you in a bit - MrB needs me in the kitchen.

THIS is also gorgeous and im not a big fish lover.

Ooh, are you getting taken in a manly fashion over the table, bella?

She can't reply Portia - not all of us can Mn mid-flagrante

Given you have a very rich pudding, I think I might go maybe a fish main. Maybe this or this

Or stick to seasonal. If you grow your own veg or know someone that does, then baby veg at the moment take some beating, I'm thinking sweet fresh sugar snap peas, tiny broad beans etc. Maybe with some simply grilled/pan fried fresh as you like fish and a lightly creamy herby sauce and some new potatoes.

Don't think I can do fish - one of the couple who cooked for us has allergies - never sure if it is shelled seafood or all fish - I'll check.

The seared tuna looks yummy though - I might make that just for us

slow roasted pork belly with chicory, easy peasy

Just realised worcester sauce has anchovies in it - so it will be 'add your own spice level' for the bloody mary gazpacho

If only Portia, if only >

I will show all of these to DP so he can feel important have some input.

How about roasted leg of lamb? Smear it with garlic rosemary and salt and cook it drectly on oven rack with potatoes in a tray below to catch all the fat so they really crisp up.

The Jamie Oliver slow roasted shoulder of lamb from Dinners fabulous. Have served with heaps of baguette or with fresh tagliatelle. Prob prefer the latter for dinner party.