I am a reasonable cook but not confident to cook for guests. What could i cook to get my confidence up?

Answer 1

Here is a quick, EASY meal that will please and impress. The salmon dish is SO simple, and people will rave about it -- that is sure to build your confidence! Same for the broccoli. You could easily throw in a rice dish [to round out the meal with a startch] -- cheat and use the garlic rice from Uncle Ben's in this case. Gives you a great, simple meal, but nobody needs to know that you whipped it up so quickly and effortlessly.....

Broiled Lemon & Pepper Salmon

3/4 lb fresh salmon filet with skin [you can easily adjust this amount]
1 lemon squeezed for juice OR 1 Tablespoon olive oil [or I've used both]
lemon pepper seasoning [to taste. If you try this recipe and decide you like it, then start experimenting with other seasoning blends. I've used all sorts of things with great results.]

Wash salmon thoroughly, dry well. Place on board and with tweezers, remove any fine bones. You can feel them if you run your hand over the top of the filet, carefully. You can also remove the skin, but I typically leave it on. After it's cooked, it will peel off VERY easily.

Place on broiler pan, skin side up; heat broiler. Choice: pour lemon juice over filet, OR pour small amount of olive oil over filet or both. Either way, sprinkle with lemon pepper seasong. Broil for 3 minutes or so on bottom side. Remove from oven, turn over carefully, repeat juice and/or oil, and sprinkle with lemon pepper to taste. Return to broiler for about 2 to 3 minutes more.

The timing assumes that your filet is NOT excessively thick. If it is thicker than say 1/2 inch, broil longer. For thicker filets, I often do more like 5-7 minutes on the first side and about five minutes on the second side. Cut it in thickest part to assure that it is JUST cooked through, DO NOT overcook.

Broccoli and Bread Crumbs

1 1/2 pounds broccoli flowerets or 1 pound
3-4 slices of bread, crusts removed
6 Tablespoons butter [could probably use a margarine or butter substitute here]
salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice, optional
sprinkling grated cheese, optional

Steam broccoli in a steamer. Place bread centers into food processor, and pulse to make bread crumbs Melt butter in a skillet until just beginning to brown. Add bread crumbs and toss around in the butter. Season. Toss broccoli in with the crumbs, add sprinkling of cheese and serve. [Note: We never use the allspice or cheese, but I think the original recipe called for them.]

Pair this up with a chilled Pinot Gris or Chardonnay and enjoy!

Answer 2

I always like to make things that can be prepared in advance, so I do not emerge from the kitchen all red faced, bad tempered and anxious

A good "starter" is Grapefruit and melon salad with mint.
Just cut up the grapefruit and melon, sprinkle with sugar to taste, and add chopped mint - make it at least 2 hours in advance (it's OK made the day before if kept in the fridge)

For the main course, I always do a casserole thing preferably one that is cooked all in one big pot and left in the oven until you are ready to serve it - Delia Smith's Moroccan chicken is good, but I am sure you will know a few for yourself.

For desert I always provide a selection of cheeses with fresh fruit.

Can't go wrong - and you can just enjoy your guests, and not worry about how many glasses of wine you are having, cos the meal is all organised.

Bon appetit!

Answer 3

a tried-and-tested recipe. try it on an honest, close friend first and then all you have to do is multiply numbers. Make sure you follow the basics of cooking, though - e.g. don't overcook pasta, don't burn sauces (or anything else, for that matter) and try to find out your guests' tastes. However try not to cook anything for them that they can do better - eg don't cook asian food for asians, or pasta/pizza for italians etc. Lemon Chicken is a dish that I've done over and over and till now has always gone down well if people do like poultry. It is tasty without being over-spicy.

Answer 4

Start by practising. Use recipes first and try to stick to casserole type dishes that can be prepared before your guests arrive, like chilli, spag bol, chicken in white wine, etc.
You can freeze most dishes and eat as and when you want. When you get more confident, you can stop measuring ingredients, the only two no-no's are don't burn the dish and if spicy, don't add too much spice! Adding too much herbs will very rarely spoil the dish, so stick to flavouring rather than spicing.

Answer 5

Start bu serving your guests something you cook all the time for your family.
Don't go overboard with fancy exotic dishes.
Invite your closest friends first, friends you feel comfortable making a mistake in front of.
Ask your friends to bring something. For example; if you make spaghetti bolognese, ask one friend to bring the garlic bread, ask another friend to bring a caesar salad. It takes the pressure off if it's more like a pot luck.
Relax and have fun. Make it about your friends and not about the food.

Answer 6

What do you like to cook? A common way to start sharing your cooking is to cook a dessert--cookies, cake etc. and share it with friends. Stick with recipes you really like and are familiar with! Try not to get too caught up with trying to impress your guests, just feed them something basic and be a gracious hostess and they'll enjoy the meal even if it sucks!

Answer 7

If your a reasonable cook then why feel that way...?? Guests are usually ALWAYS pleased with someone's generosity in preparing a meal..albeit a barbeque, some lunch sandwiches, etc..

If you can follow a recipe, then you can cook anything.

Answer 8

i hate cooking and cant cook but my b/f is a chef and he makes me cook meat, fish and anything creative. that helps.
get a fancy recipe offline try www.recipesource.com get you mum and da round or some mates who dont mind being tested on and be creative.
In a few weeks you wont be able to be removed from the kitchen.
But in case of anything going wrong when you do try to cook for people always have a back up easy meal.
or if you want to look good but really cant cook be lazy ring round a few pubs and beg for them to cook your meals for you to take away. our pub across the road lets us take away for no extra charge lol

Answer 9

Serve something that all the guests get the same ie:a nice Goulash or a Chilli maybe a Curry,all the best.Ps You can sit at the table and enjoy also.

Answer 10

Chili con carne is always a safe bet! It's so easy to assemble and you can serve with a choice of rice (easy) or jacket potato (even easier!)top with a dollop of soured cream or Greek yoghurt; put some garlic bread in the oven and make a quick salad your friends will love it and be impressed by your culinary skills!