French Dinner Party

[echokilo]

What menu would you recommend for a three course French theme dinner party? I am thinking slow-cooked beef bourgiugnon for the main - with the other 2 courses either being very simple prepare ahead dishes for as little hassle as possible ................ inspiration please!! TIA

[tiggerblue10]

Cheese souffle or french onion soup for starters.

Tarte tatin (sp) or creme brulee for dessert.

These are probably not that simple to do but I can't think of any others at the moment.

[echokilo]

Thanks Tigger .... sounds good x

[woofgang]

If you are being traditional, there should be a cheese course and serve it before the sweet. Starter a salad nicoise..the light version without the spuds. dessert petit fours and coffee...Waitrose are doing a fabulous box of tiny frozen desserts atm.

[echokilo]

Thanks Woofgang x

[The Builder]

Don't forget the "amuse-bouche" :o)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amuse-bouche

[DTCwordfan]

French dinner parties are more than three courses.

Start with something like a soup or a small salad - mackerel for example, baked prawns (olive oil, twist of lemon, black pepper and flat parley - prawns big as you can get and cook in a v hot ovenuntil just turned colour.

a sorbet (champagne and grape perhaps - easy to make

Bourg is fine - a coq au vin (dont need a mountain of vegs - say some nice 4-6 min steamed fine French beans)

The French usually follow this with some cheese and a salad to mop up the wine and for dessert, how about a nice apple tarte tatin (they are easy to make and can be made in advance).

[echokilo]

Will skip the Ortalan Trimerersurus!!!! Think they are illegal now anyway!!

Thanks for all the other suggestions.