Help - Dinner party menu need to impress

[bizzylizzy]

Hi everyone I'm entertaining some friends, all of whom are good cooks. They all have swanky cookers, agas with loads of ovens. I only have a single oven, so I'm going to have to prepare in advance and serve at least one, probably two cold courses. I need a menu to impress. One course, probably the main should be a prepare ahead Thai type meal (one friend loves Thai cooking but is not keen on fish),but the others all like fish. So I'd be so grateful any quick and easy but hopefully impressive fishy starters for the fishy fans. The non fish lover tends not to eat a starter anyway. Basically I need to plan a menu that takes my single oven into account. I'm also thinking of preparing a couple of the courses in advance, as I'm not a good last minute cook. Thank you so much in advance for any suggestions you can give me.

[bimbo123456]

For a starter what about a tapas type thing....king prawns, olives, stuffed small peppers. etc You can buy the makings at major supermarkets, serve with bread of choice.
Main....you can't beat a Thai Green Curry. http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-thai- green-chicken-curry
Dessert. Make digestive case( 6oz crumbs and 3oz melted butter pressed into tin of choice. Mix two tubs of mascarpone cheese with juice of two limes and zest of one and 1 good tabs of icing sugar. Spoon filling into case and sprinkle on zest of other lime. Sounds too easy but tasted fantastic.

[May1982]

Hi

I found plenty of video recipes which you can choose from and make your dinner menu.
http://www.sutree.com/videos/Food-and-Drink/10 5

I hope everything goes well!

[indianwells]

First things first. Don't concentrate on trying to impress! They are coming to dinner for your company and not to judge you.
If you are not good at last minute cooking then don't try and do it. You'll be so worried about getting it right your evening will be ruined. For you AND your guests.
I'm sure you must have a few killer dishes that you know you can do in advance. Maybe Lamb Shanks? Dishes like that can be held in a low oven almost indefinitely.
Also, having everything ready gives you more time with your friends, which, if you think about it is what they are there for.
Have a great evening and........DON'T WORRY!!!!

[thugulike]

Quick and easy appetiser. Take flour tortillas, speread with cream cheese and layer smoked salmon on top. Sprinkle with feathery dill or fennel leaves and roll up tightthen slice through. This gives you small pinwheels which can just be popped into your mouth without any cutlery necessary. Great with a glass of something bubbly. For a main course how about a pork ,fennel and gooseberry stroganoff? Take 2 onions, 4 sticks of celery, 1 head of fennel and chop evenly. Seal 2 and a half pounds of diced pork in a large casserole dish and add the veg. Add boiling water , chopped coriander and vegetable stock cube and a small carton of apple juice. Simmer in oven until tender (about 1 hour at 200 and half an hour at 150. This can be done the day before and reheated. Add cream to serve and basmati rice.