Hiow does this menu sound for a dinner party?

[Joe_the_Lion]

Starters)
Smoked Mackeral on a bed of finely sliced cucumber with wedges of lemon and lime and a very subtle curried mayonaise

Main course)
Roast chicken and smokey bacon diced in a garlic and tomato pasata and stuffed in to giant pasta shells. served on a bed of warm spinach.

Dessert)
Home made bread and butter pudding (made with croissants) served with (don't shout) Birds ready-made custard.

Followed by a variety of cheeses, black and white grapes and a fine Port.

Any omissions or things added? And do the three courses compliment eachother?

[Figi]

Personally I would find bread and butter pudding a bit much after the pasta in the main course. What about something light and fruity e.g poached pears which are dead easy.

[ethandron]

ooh, i don't know, think i'd keep the gorgeous pud and have a re-think on the main course, although i don't think that's too heavy actually, i'm just not too keen on pasta or spinach. and the smoked mackerel and curried mayo sounds delish!
saw someone on tv this week talking about bread and butter pud made with croissants, can't remember who, but it sounded wonderful ,and happened by accident because they over-ordered on the croissants for a restaurant.

[Joe_the_Lion]

It was James Martin, and that is where I got the idea from!!!

Croissants, sultanans, 4 egg yolks and 1 white, butter, 1pt of milk, 1/2 pint of cream, sugar and the secret ingredient-White Chocolate!!!

[Joe_the_Lion]

Oh and vanilla pods!!

[mollymandy]

sounds great , sunday times wine club do a great port

[ethandron]

you're right! and i'd forgotten about the white chocolate too. have you ever made delia smith's marmalade bread and butter pud? she actually uses marmalade she's made herself, but i've used any old marmalade, and it really is totally delicious.
hope you have a good dinner party.

[Joe_the_Lion]

Haven't tried marmalade. My grandmother used to put apple sauce (used for pork!) in b and b pud. Very nice too.

[Ethel]

Sounds excellent. The courses are varied and complimentary. A light starter followed by a substantial main course.

But I would offer an alternative mayonnaise or sauce with the starter, to give a choice. Perhaps a salsa which can be prepared in advance?

And a cold dessert - a good shop bought tiramissu with fresh cream, or a fruity cheesecake.

I love cheese and biscuits with port. We don't see it enough.

Gourmet breads seem to be the in thing, so you could offer this either with the starter, or the cheese. Not too much though, if serving with the starter. And a variety of crackers and biscuits with the cheese. I would include water biscuits, small

[starwarsfan!]

i think that it sounds great !!! you should have wine with it though.
(althogh im not sure about bread and butter pudding.)

[Figi]

And I meant to add earlier - please go continental and serve the cheese before the pud.

[Snowy Owl]

Where do you live Joe? I want to be there!!!! Sounds great to my taste buds!

[Joe_the_Lion]

In Sussex snowy owl. But sadly I have no more room. I'll send you a doggy bag.

[Snowy Owl]

Cheers, Joe! Hope it all goes well.

[Gef]

Just a thought. Lots of people don't like smoked mackerel (I do). Why spoil a lovely homemade pudding with any sort of custard? Have a bit of fresh cream.

Hope it goes well.

[puddicat]

hi joe, your menu sounds fantastic, if you are going for the ultimate bread and butter pudding, it has to be italian pannetone bread, even better than croissants, used be a seasonal bread ie crimbo, but i think you can get it from most major supermarkets, or try a good italian deli if near to you, maybe some lovely italiano could tell us about pannetone, good luck