Dinner party menu ideas

[Karen2005]

I've got some friends coming over for dinner soon and there'll be 6 of us in total. Can you help me come up with some menu ideas with the following caveats:

One of my friends is vegetarian, so a menu that is either entirely vegetarian or one portion of which can easily be adapted into vegetarian.

Not containing offal (not likely with the vegetarian!), aubergines, mushrooms, asparagus, rice pudding or custard tart.

I'd like to do something with seasonal produce if possible and which could be prepared in advance and put in the oven when the guests arrive (like a lasagna) or which can be left alone for ages (like a casserole) so I'm not stuck in the kitchen .

Sorry for such a long message! Any ideas welcomed.

[hitchen]

HI its john!
i thought that you could do a aspragos with blackpepper ice cream, is very nice
john

[vivandorron]

I suggest you click the following:-

http://www.vegsoc.org/cordonvert/recipes/

Should give you enough recipes.

I like the thought of Lasagne or a veggie caserole.
You can substitute meat with Soya Mince. I should know....was a vegetarian many years ago .....Best wishes .......Ron.

[vivandorron]

My wife Viv is of the opinion that Quorn Chunks is also a good substitute for meat in casseroles.

Click the following for more info and recipes:-

http://www.quorn.co.uk/CMSPage.aspx

V & R.

[JB]

Starters - Butternut squash soup or mushroom pate and toast

Main - Vegetable curry (cauli, chick peas, potato etc) and rice or vege chilli and rice (made with quorn mince)

Dessert - fruit salad or apple crumble/pie with ice cream or custard.

Or rather than a sit down dinner, just have a buffet type thing going on! I do this all the time and it really works with very little effort. If you want ideas just shout!

[Karen2005]

Thanks for your ideas, everyone. Certainly a lot of inspiration there. I think I might actually do a vegetarian curry... hmmm.

I agree about the buffet type thing, JB. Had all my family over recently and there was 9 of us in total - not that many but enough in a small flat. Just put loads of food on the table and let everyone help themselves.

[YvonneM]

I make something that I call rice pie
Grease an oven proof dissh with butter/marg and line it with slices of white bread (crusts removed)

Boil some rice and drain it Stir fry anyting you can lay your hands on in the fridge mushrooms, cucumber, onion carrot etc when these are nearly done add the rice some soya sauce to taste and fry then all together. Add this mixture to the dish and cover the top with more bread Press down firmly. Mix in a jug 2 eggs 1/2 pint milk a tablespoon of salad cream pour this mixture into the pie. Grater some cheese over the top and then bake in a moderate over until the top is brown Serve it hot or cold