What to cook when ur entertaining..

[SassyDiva]

So.. what do u do when u have people over?

I need some help, am over my usual.

I was going to do Paella for main but did a test run tonight and just didn't love it.

I want an starter, a main and a dessert. its for 8 people so need a low maintence but yummy plan..

Come on girls, give me ur best

[Veritas]

Is it formal, or casual???? Are the guests traditional or modern???

Have you thought about theming it???

[Little Gorilla]

Dessert - I don't think you could go past a home made cheese cake with beautiful berries & juice drizzled down it.

Always a hit!

[DoulaRobyn]

Easy Chocolate Mud Cake

2x 'no name' brand cake mixes (only 74c each - yay!) + the ingredients it says on the back of the bag
500g yummy looking cooking milk chocolate buds
1 extra egg
1/2 jar of nuttella
a punnet of strawberries

Mix the cake mixes and the listed ingredients and one extra egg. Melt 3/4 of the chocolate buds in the microwave on 50% heat for 2mins - check and stir and put in for 20 sec increments until just melted (you dont want to burn the chocolate or hubby will have to go to the shops for you!). Mix through the melted chocolate until just combined. Pour into your big round cake tin and bake on 150 degrees for 2 hours. Check and see if it is still wobbly in the centre, if it is bake it for 15 mins extra and check again until cooked.

Allow to cool. Spread with nutella and 'plonk' on strawberries abstractly or in a lovely pattern. Sprinkle all the left over choc buds over the cake. To make it extra special you can sift some icing sugar over it. You can also make a glaze for the strawberries out of some jam and water (equal parts) zapped in the microwave until warm and mix together and roll the strawberries in this before you arrange on the cake. You can also add whipped cream --- of course! haha

I love this cake, works for me every time without fail. It is one that the kids can help me with - I usually get them to ice it for me and add the strawberries, they have a great, messy, time! I usually make this the day before and refrigerate until I need it. I also always use a brown paper bag cut to size at the bottom of my cake pan for 'easy out' every time.

What about pumpkin soup (or vege soup) as a starter, it is the right sort of chilly weather for it! Looks great with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of parsley on the top.... this can be made before time for an easy heat and serve dish.

An easy mains I have cooked quite a few times is chicken tonight creamy mushroom, with a few extras! I always get my butcher to chop the chicken breast for me and get it in nice big 1 inch chunks, for 8 people I would buy 2kgs. I coat these in flour (by putting the chicken and flour in a bag and then twist shut and shake about, coats perfectly everytime). I fry this in batches and just brown the outside on a medium heat- this can be tedious but you need them to fry and not boil or they will go tough. I cut up 10 medium mushrooms, 2 carrots, 1 zuchinni, a small brown onion and I smash up 2 cloves of garlic. I cook the onion and garlic until clear looking and toss back in the chicken and all the vegies and 2 jars of chicken tonight creamy mushroom and 1 jar full of water. I bring this to the boil and let it simmer for about 1/2 an hour with the lid on stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. In the meantime I top and tail some snow peas and chop up some pieces of camebert cheese, I also cook some jasmine rice. I boil the kettle and pour the boiling water over the snow peas in a bowl to blanche (will bring out the lovely green colour and make them nice and crispy).

To serve press the jasmine rice into a tea cup and turn up on the plate to one side. Next to the rice serve a generous spoonful of the chicken. I garnish with some snowpeas and camebert cheese and a sprig of parsley. This is a yummy, filling healthy meal, everyone always eats every last thing on their plate when it is served at my place and it always impresses my guests, the chicken is always sooooo tender. You should always make sure that you throw out your chicken tonight jars before the guests arrive and then tell them that it is a secret recipe that you cant divulge!!! This can be made before time too so all you have to do is get the garnishes ready and cook the rice while you warm it up. If you want a creamier flavour mix a couple of tablespoons of sourcream through, but you must make sure that you do not have your sauce pan on your hotplate and it cannot be reheated in the pot after this is added (so just before serving is good). So that the sourcream mixes through well make sure that you mix half sour cream and half water in a cup first and make sure there are no lumps before you add it to your chicken.

It should cost you about $40 to make this whole meal for 8 people... and it will look decadent! - got to love a yummy bargain!

*I hate getting up in the middle of the night with teething babies because it always makes me hungry when I shouldn't be.... I could eat the above meal right now ... mmm... anyone would think I was pregnant... but I am not.. might I add!!!*

I hope you have a great dinner night, and don't stress, enjoy your guests and just make everything before hand and warm it up - they will never know.... garnishes always make dishes look more impressive and like you have just slaved over the dishes all day!!!

[Lastcenturymum]

I will be watching this thread, having people over soon (only 2:laughing:, but we only have 4 chairs and a setting for 4!!) and it's hard in a new country to know what to do.

I thought about risotto, but it can go gluggy and I do a great roast sweet potato/feta/leek/rosemary pasta served on a bed of spinach. I will buy a dessert maybe an apple pie from the gourmet deli as I wouldn't risk trying to make something here and don't have a 'full pantry' of all stuff IYKWIM. Wouldn't trust the oven yet either!

I agree doing stuff in advance so you can just warm it, keeps it simple.

I've done a flourless chocolate dessert cake with raspberries and raspberry sauce too. That is nice when served with cream or ice-cream and dusted with icing sugar. Recipe is at home though, sorry.

[Ange&Seth]

Lamb Shanks - can't go wrong, it's a chuck in the oven and come back later meal and I just served ours with vegies.

Plum and Rosemary Lamb Shanks
2 tbs plain flour
8 small lamb shanks (or maybe even 4 if you're having entree and dessert as well)
2.5 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves
1 tbs fresh thyme leaves
1 cup red wine
1.5 cups chicken stock
2 tbs worstershire sauce
1 cup plum jam

1. Preheat oven to 200/180 fan forced. Place flour and shanks in a bowl. Toss to coat. Heat 2 tbs oil in a large, heavy based, flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Cook shanks, turning in batches, for 4-5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium-high. Heat remaining oil in casserole. Add onion, rosemary and thyme. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until onion is tender. Add wine. Simmer for 1 minute. Stir in stock, sauce and jam. Season with peopper. Add shanks. bring tot he boil. Cover dish. Transfer to oven.
3. Bake for 1 hour. Remove lid and baste shanks, bake uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until meat is tender and falling from the bone. Serve with mash and vegies (


You could serve with one of Ainsley Harriett's instant cous cous packs and carrots and beans. I've never cooked shanks before cos I was always worried about ruining them but honestly it's just so easy. And with a recipe like this you're not spending the whole night in the kitchen.

I have a yummy banana caramel pudding recipe too if you want that for dessert :yes: it's easy as!

[TysonsMummy]

For starter I like soups (eg pumkin or minestrone) that can be made ahead and reheated on the night.

For main in colder weather I do casseroles (also can be made ahead and reheated) and close to serving I do mashed sweet potato (you could do potato but I always go for the healthier option) and a steamed green veg (usually broccoli) to serve on the side.

I BubbaGanoush's idea of cheesecake for dessert, you can easily make ahead of time and serve with fresh fruit and a matching sauce drizzled around it (eg chocolate).

I like to make things easy on the night when I entertain so that I'm not stressing out in the kitchen before people arrive and I get to enjoy myself too.

[punkbaby]

I agree with libby g at least food like that doesnt go yuck if its heated or if its not served immediately

Soup as a starter or even a mix of finger foods that can be heated.
Mains anything like a casserole, stroganoff, roast if your up for it :) pretty easy to just throw in the middle of the table then and let people help themselves.

Dessert fried icecream :) hmm prob a bit tricky. A nice cake or a self saucing pudding, you can cook it turn the oven off and let it just sit in there to stay warm till ready to serve

[Yummy_Mummy]

i would prob either go soup or bruchetta (sp?) for a starter as both are easy & yummy.

Main you could have chicken mignons (fancy but nice & simple) or what about tuna or chicken canneloni - easy as & filling but could have a side of salad

Dessert - pavlova with passionfruit on top or strawberries :D i have a recipe for homemade pav if anyone wants it :)

[Amberlea]

I'd do soup and garlic/herb bruchetta for starters - something light like pumpkin or leek and potato.

Then for mains I'd do a pasta
* Chicken carbonara
* Roast pumpkin, spinach and pine nut
* Something different

Or Chicken filo pastries stuffed with mushrooms, brie, shallots and garlic.

Dessert - More than likely do a warm pudding of some description during the cooler months.

[GummyBear]

My failsafe for when people come for dinner is like a chicken wellington.

I cook some finely chopped mushrooms with butter, garlic and flat leaf parsley.

Cut an insert in the chicken breast and stuff with the mushroom mixture. Cut a sheet of puff pastry in half (once defrosted) and wrap around the chicken breast.

Cook in the oven for about half an hour or until puffed and golden.

Make a nice mustard sauce to drizzle over the top and serve with some roasted chats potatoes and some steamed veg.

It's a winner every time.

Also... I second the cheesecake idea for dessert. You can make it in advance and I'm yet to meet a person who didn't like baked cheesecake. I have a great recipe for a slightly lighter tasting cheesecake if you want to PM me!

[Nex]

STEAMBOAT TIME!

It's the best fun for 6 to 8 people.

Get one or two of those little tabletop gas stoves (big W $12.50 this week.BARGAIN!) or an electric wok. Put it on the table half full of chicken stock.

Chop up, like for a stir fry, a selection of meat and veg. Noodles and herbs, wontons, chinese sausage etc.. and present them all on platters. When you think you have too much do some more, it won't go as far as you think and you can use leftovers for stirfry.

Have a wide selection of condiments eg chilli sauce, soy , wasabi, crispy fried onions, chopped shallots etc.

give everyone a bowl, sauce dish, fork or chopsticks.

The beauty of this is that you don't have to cook. The chopping can all be done before hand and you can enjoy the party too!

[missie_mack]

Last time we had people over we did a chocolate raspberry pudding for desert. It was great because the mixture in the afternoon dished it into the cooking thing (in our case we cooked ours in coffee cups) and only put them in the oven when I served dinner


Chocolate and raspberry baked ricotta cake
Ingredients (serves 8)
3/4 cup (165g) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups self-raising flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup caster sugar
100g butter, melted
1 cup hot water
1 cup frozen raspberries
Raspberry sauce
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 cup frozen raspberries
Method
Place ricotta in a sieve over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight, if time permits (this allows excess moisture
to drain from ricotta).
Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease and line base and sides of a 6.5cm-deep, 22cm (base) round cake pan with baking paper.
Sift flour and cocoa into a bowl. Add sugar, butter, water and ricotta. Mix well. Gently fold through raspberries. Pour mixture
into pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes.
Turn onto wire rack to cool.
Make raspberry sauce: Combine sugar and 2 tablespoons cold water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 5
minutes or until syrup thickens slightly. Add raspberries. Remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes.
Cut cake into wedges. Place on plates. Spoon over raspberry sauce. Serve.
Recipe taken from Super Food Ideas

I didnt actually make the raspberry sauce I just put ice cream over the top. It was really moist and divine

I think roasts are always popular in winter and are really self preparing once in the oven. A tasting plater is always good for entrees as its everyone help themselves. Risotto balls are brilliant. You can roll them in bread crumbs and deep fry them for a second, with bruchetta, mini goats cheese tarts, different dips (like hommus etc) with a warm bread like a turkish loaf sliced up.... but then I really think it depends on your guests too. Some people you know arent all that adventurous and are best having a good steak slow cooked with vegies and other people just love new things

[Seacretsquirrel]

We usually do chees and nibbles for starters (whilst the kids are eating)
then my hubby does a fantastic lasagne with the pasta made from scratch it always goes down really well and once its in the oven it requires no real attention serve with a salad (a great addition to your salad is brie although you often have to fight to get any)
and I agree with may of the others and a cheesecake is usually a hit, look out for the mini womens weekly cookbook cheesecakes trifles and pavs (or something like that) it has a fantastic stickydate cheesecake with sauce (although you need to do a bit extra sauce) it is to die for.:D

[SassyDiva]

Some awesome ideas girls.

Think I've decided on antipasto platter for nibbles, prawn laksa for starter then stuffed chicken mushroom filo for main (that sounds so yummy) and Im making porfita rolls for dessert.
I love cheesecakes but think I've over done them.

Thanks for your help :thumbsup:

[zenifa]

Keep the ideas coming ladies, as I need inspiration!!
In just over a week I've got friends coming over for lunch - total will be 10 adults, and 2 toddlers and 4 babies (they are bf so no probs!!). Also the friends are vego, so I need something as a light starter and a main that toddlers can also eat and a yummy dessert!! Also it needs to be quick and easy as I dont' want to spend all morning in the kitchen.

Initially I was going to do Indian - pilau rice, pappadums, yoghurt & cucumber raita, lentil dahl and a vegie curry, but its too much work, even doing it ahead and lots of dishes. Now I am thinking more like a big vegie lasagna, but is that too boring.

Help!! :chef:

[Veritas]

I would usually stick with a particular sort of theme so that the flavours don't clash with each other....

So for traditional sorts.... A roast.... Soup for a starter with some crusty bread rolls or parmesan croutons, maybe pumpkin or hearty potato onion and bacon..... A roast for main..... lovely roast vegies to your liking.... either a sumptuous leg of lamb or a decent sized chook or both..... maybe some rocket on the side.... Desserts could be something along the lines of choc self saucing pudding with fresh cream, apple pie or individual mousses or trifles.....

Then you could go indian.... papadams and naan with cucumber dip, etc..... A range of indian dishes with rice.... and pineapple with minted sugar and ice cream..... maybe mango gelato too....

Mexican is always good and easy for groups..... Nachos for starter, a range of tacos, burritos, enchilados, chili con carne, etc.... and churros for dessert for chilli hot choc!

Those are probably a few good winter options.... Summer is always good for BBQ"s and salads with lighter dessert options, and crudites and dip as starter!

[kaybee]

For a vego dinner party how about:

Starter - Either Cheese & Spinach Triangles, (can be made ahead of time & even frozen then just pop in the oven. Serve with Sweet Chilli Sauce) or Small bowl of pumpkin soup.
Main - I usually do vegie lasagna too, but for something different what about either creamy mushroom pasta (use a few different varieties of mushy's to make it spesh) or a vegie & chickpea casserole and serve it with potato bake or creamy polenta.
Dessert - My failsafe is No-bake lemon cheesecake which I serve with a dollop of cream and berries.

For non vego main Moroccan Lamb or Chicken is good as it tastes fantastic but you can put it in the oven ahead of time and forget. Serve it with Cous Cous.

If anyone wants a recipe let me know! Yum!

[SassyDiva]

[QUOTE=TwoWiseGals;2654367]Then you could go indian.... papadams and naan with cucumber dip, etc..... A range of indian dishes with rice.... and pineapple with minted sugar and ice cream..... maybe mango gelato too....

QUOTE]

Yum..! I like that idea

[zenifa]

For a vego dinner party how about:

Starter - Either Cheese & Spinach Triangles, (can be made ahead of time & even frozen then just pop in the oven. Serve with Sweet Chilli Sauce) or Small bowl of pumpkin soup.
Main - I usually do vegie lasagna too, but for something different what about either creamy mushroom pasta (use a few different varieties of mushy's to make it spesh) or a vegie & chickpea casserole and serve it with potato bake or creamy polenta.
Dessert - My failsafe is No-bake lemon cheesecake which I serve with a dollop of cream and berries.

For non vego main Moroccan Lamb or Chicken is good as it tastes fantastic but you can put it in the oven ahead of time and forget. Serve it with Cous Cous.

If anyone wants a recipe let me know! Yum!

Yes please, either post or Pm me some recipes!!
They all sound good!!