I'm having 5 friends round for dinner...?

Question

and I want to impress with my menu but cook something simple as I'm a novice in the kitchen, any ideas for starter and main? One of my guests is pregnant.

Thank you

Answer 1

How about soup for a starter and some kind of pasta dish for main. Can be as easy or difficult as you want then? Enjoy!

Answer 2

For starters I would be tempted to make something simple like a Heinz Tomato Soup, but with homemade garlic and basil croutons. really simple stuff and doesn't take too long.

For Main I would do Bangers and Mash with a cider, red onion and pepper sauce.

All you need to do for this is get some good quality sausages, (my favourite are garlic and sweet chili from Tesco finest). You'll need a good cider, not strongbow or anything like that.

Start by frying the sausages to seal them. prep your Pepper and onions (chunks and slices). cook the sausages in the cider for 10-15 mins, add the red onion and pepper and cook for a further 15 mins. You may want to add some extra cider to a pan, add sugar and reduce, this will add to the thickness of the sauce.

Trust me it's Divine, even though the cider has alcohol in, this is evaporated in the cooking process and would be fine for anyone who was pregnant.

Answer 3

This is a Jamie Oliver recipe which is the easiest and tastiest chicken dish ever.

Get one chicken breast per person.
put a clover of garlic on the top (chop it and rub it on as well)
then sliced onion on top of that
a knob of butter on top of that
then sprinkle with tarragon.
Wrap this in a tin foil parcel
Cook this until chicken is cooked (around 180-200 deg c for 30-40 mins)

For all guest except the pregnant one you could add a splash of white wine.

Make this up in advance, then you will have less to do before they arrive.
Just add some veg you like as chicken goes with everything, like broccoli, potatoes, peas - anything really
(cant find the recipe on the net but above is exactly how i do it and it tastes great)

a starter could be garlic mushrooms - but not breaded.

Buy some really nice and fresh botton mushrooms, fry them up in a pan (a dry pan, with maybe a little butter) then add some chopped garlic then some double cream. cook on a low heat until the cream gets really thick and serve with a small side salad and bread.

If they are still hungry then feed them a traditional dessert. Something like a crumble. Everyone loves getting things their mum used to make. And crumbles are dead easy.

Answer 4

I recommend good quality simple food - that doesnt take too much cooking to make an impression.

My favourite dinner party menu is italien - everyone loves it and you can make it as fancy or simple as you like.

Starter: put a large platter on the table with salami, parma ham, mozerella cheese, sliced (beef) tomatoes, a selection of olives, marinated artichokes (you can buy these from a good deli) and other antipasti. Add some lovely sliced melon, some good bread and salad. Serve with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping the bread into.

Main course. I totally agree with the lasagne recommendation. But make a good one - dont buy it and dont make the sauce from a jar - there isnt a single one on the market that tastes right!

My recipe - takes a few hours but most of that is cooking time. sweat onions, garlic in olive oil. Add 2 bay leaves.
Add minced livers (you may want to skip this - not good for pregnant people I think)
Add minced beef and cook til browned. Season with black pepper.
Add 1 tin of chopped toms and a squige of tom puree.
Now add a pint or so of good beef stock. If you want to use wine then add about 3 quarters of a bottle of good red (all the alcohol will go in the cooking so Im sure its ok for preg lady - but check with her) otherwise add more stock.
Stir and now simmer until it turns into a proper sauce. This may take 2 hours or so, but its worth it!
Now make a simple white sauce (not a cheese sauce) with butter, flour, milk and bay leaf.
When meat sauce is ready, layer it with the pasta (doenst have to be fresh, dried is fine) top with layer of white sauce and cook in oven. At end of cooking add cheese if you want to and melt.

Serve with a good salad and garlic bread.

I guarantee sucess with that recipe and you will never use sickly sweet tomato based pasta sauces again!

For pudding do something easy, I suggest eton mess as its just cream, meringue and fruit (soft red fruit) Failing that buy something yummy - you will have impressed them so much with the best ever lasagne that you wont need to cook again!

Answer 5

there are so many things you can buy that are 'ready made' and easy to cook. You should make a fresh salad and soup, but the main course can be bought. Desert can be made fresh, you can check lots of websites for easy recipes.
It's all has to do with presentation, how it all looks, from the table the music, proper plate servings, glasses for drinks/wine/water. Do abit of research and I'm sure you'll have a great evening.

Answer 6

Starter asparagus blanched for 5 Min's plunge in cold water and just before serving brush with oil and griddle top with Chrisy Bacon and Parmesan flakes and some melted butter(you can cook the Bacon in advance).
Main pasta chicken marinated in lemon thyme olive oil and pepper for 30 mins fry the chicken with some mushroom and onion a pinch of chili flakes add double cream add pasta stir and serve with salad and garlic bread.

Answer 7

for the starter prawn cocktail easy made before hand make your own rose sauce very impressive.(for pregnant lady substitute avocado for prawns)
in the dishes straight from fridge onto table,don't forget the cayenne pepper.

main course any white sauce dish with chicken, peppers, onions,mushrooms,garlic,seasoning of your choice, served on a bed of rice.
again this can be made beforehand in the pot keeping warm
make rice fresh 12-15 mins good enough break between courses.

sweet, buy in gateaux no one expects home made.

just add alcohol and have a good time

Answer 8

Food doesn't need to be too fancy. Lasagne is really easy to make and can be served with a simple salad and garlic bread. Starter and dessert can be simple too and you will probably find something you can heat and serve at the supermarket.

Good luck with your entertaining.

Answer 9

You can't go wrong with veg soup for starters.
The main course I would keep it simple like a curry, lasagne or spag bol. Also make up some salad and serve with garlic bread.
Desert you could buy one already made. The shouldn't expect you to make one from scratch.
Enjoy.

Answer 10

All of the recipes on this site are chosen not only to impress, but also because they are EASY:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/dinner-party-recipes.html

You will find some great menu suggestions and planning ideas too!