superbakerqueen
member
Reged: 01/08/2007
Posts: 366
Loc: West Lothian,Scotland
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Hi Ladies it's such a long time since I had anyone but family up for dinner,.....I've lost my confidence...wondered if you could help with what to serve for dinner and any tips that will stop me from going into a blind panic!. 
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misser
member
Reged: 17/08/2009
Posts: 228
Loc: Round The Bend!!
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It always seems such a good idea to invite people round, especially if you have had a couple of vinos!!
Then panic!!! What do I give them?
I always try to do a starter and a dessert that can be prepared early , to take away the panic feeling!!!
I find its much better to cook something no matter how ordinary it seems that you can do well than a new slighty scary recipe.
Be kind to yourself, they are coming to share your company and enjoy a meal not come dine with me and mark out of 10. If not dont ask them again!! Ha ha.
Delegate if you can and if all fails .have another glass !!!
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It is nice to be important...., but its more important to be nice.
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swissmum
member
Reged: 20/08/2009
Posts: 498
Loc: Valais Switzerland
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I love inviting loads of people to my house, love the challenge.
What you need is to carefully plan your menu as Misser says.
Lots of things that can be prepared ahead so you can have time to relax before and when the guests arrive.
Last week I had 15 to supper and cooked the choc chesnut torte from W&H christmas feel good food.Soo easy and really delicious. Served it with Ice cream and it goes a long way as its very rich. Try serving crunchy veg sticks with a dip for drinks, that way if there's kids they eat healthy food( carrot sticks, baby toms etc) instead of crisps etc.
Also as you have provided real food you can usually get away with just a main course with a big mixed salad( try original veg such as grated carrot, grated raw beetroot and apple) again in the above mag wich can all be prepared ahead.
I served mine with a beef and carrot stew cooked in guiness and mashed potatoes.
With a stew , call it a "ragu" to be posh there is no last minute prep either.
Hope that helps PM me if you want other ideas its as I say my hobby.
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 The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to knowsomeone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.SwissmumXXX
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 3667
Loc: Suffolk,
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It's autumn/winter, so you can get away with a casserole as a main course. Beef/chicken in red wine, lamb shanks...
Puddings can be done in advance - chessecake is always good.
Starter - well you could avoid that, just serve canapes. They type you serve hot, and buy from M&S.
Just make it easy. They have come to see you, so make you are not stressed, and can spend time with them
.wispa
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jayne59
member
Reged: 11/10/2009
Posts: 53
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Hi swissmum,
mmmmmmmmmm beef and carrot stew sounds lovely oh and fresh mash too mmmmmmmmm cant you tell im hungry!
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1302
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Hi sbq
I really agree with all the advice above - don't try to cook anything that will have you all sweaty and panicking on the day. I've been to dinner parties where the hostess was so stressed by trying to make everything immaculate and it ends up not being enjoyable for anyone
A few years ago we turned our dining room into a study and everyone eats at the big pine table in the kitchen now .. if they're too posh to do that they don't get invited ..
A casserole and a pudding made in advance - I usually do Pavlova or Chocolate Roulade - sounds perfect - lots of nice things to drink and you'll all have a great night
Mags
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tuzanne
member
Reged: 17/07/2009
Posts: 436
Loc: Essex
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I cheat a bit and go to our local Cook Shop where they do great meals that you can just heat up all cooked by professional cooks. They have really good puddings too. If you do this for the first time you can always try cooking it all yourself the next time after you have gained a bit of confidence. I can cook, but sometimes just don't want to spend all day slogging over a stove, and then be to knackered to enjoy myself after.
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Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 7994
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If you have a separate dining room, get it dusted and vacuumed and the table set the day before. Shut the door and do not allow ANYONE in (!).
On the day, lay out in your kitchen all the plates, serving dishes you will use. Set the coffee tray too. Saves a lot of time and last minute panic.
Do not try to be too be too clever with the food. Serve a cold starter and pudding, which do not need last minute fiddling. I often do main courses such as lamb shanks or chicken, rice and orange casserole which are very good tempered and do not require last minute exact timing. Relax and enjoy the evening too......
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I've learnt that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou.
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Mochashosh
member
Reged: 16/02/2009
Posts: 271
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You definitely have some good advice there.
For a starter smoked salmon always goes down well, and you can serve it with triangles of toast, and maybe some shop-bought smoked mackrel pate (or make your own pate with smoked salmon trimmings, a tin of tuna, some lemon, dill, pepper and cream cheese whizzed in the blender).
Main course stew or tagine is great. Chop up all the ingredients the night before and marinate if necessary, then on the day, all you have to do is fry off the meat, put in the other ingredients and leave it on the stove or in the oven. Easiest thing to serve is either new potatoes (electric steamer is a gem here - just switch on and leave), or couscous (put in bowl, add stock powder, pour over boiling water from kettle, cover with tea towel and leave, stir in oil, lemon, pepper, chopped herbs - that's all). Have a big salad too (open a mixed bag, add cherry tomatoes, chopped spring onions and avocado).
Make a pudding in advance, or even cheat and buy one, or do half and half; serve a shop-bought lemon tart with some fresh strawberries and raspberries.
Open a good bottle of wine, and whatever you do, have fun with your guests.
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tulip2
member
Reged: 11/07/2009
Posts: 131
Loc: leicestershire
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Hi Swissmum, can feel a gate crash coming your way! Shame you live so far.... 
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ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 2621
Loc: Somerset
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The important thing is not to make things too difficult for yourself. Don't go for anything that needs constant attention or is going to cost a fortune (everyone will be too busy chatting to really notice how wonderful the food is) and prepare as much as possible in advance. You need to be able to enjoy the dinner as much as everyone else.
As everyone's said - pud that can be dealt with in advance or something that can go in the oven when you take the casserole out (this time of year I like baked apples stuffed with mincemeat and a nice posh icecream), a starter that can either be dealt with in advance or will only take 5 minutes to put together. Casseroles for a main are a great idea - cook ahead and re-heat (most taste better that way) and it doesn't matter if the starters take twice as long as you anticipate because of all the chat. For potatoes I usually scrub some baby salad potatoes, put them in an oven proof dish and toss with olive oil and sea salt and pop them in the oven with a sprig of rosemary for about an hour (mini baked spuds really). Again they won't matter if they're in a bit longer and can be served straight from the oven (just warn everyone about hot dishes). I usually serve the casserole at the table (nice hot plates) and then let everyone sort out their own veg and salad. OH deals with washing up and coffee.
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Bizibee1
member
Reged: 21/07/2009
Posts: 502
Loc: North Wales
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Here is Bizi's easy peasy way to stressfree dining.Home made soup you can make a day or so before and put in fridge. This only needs warming with a swirl of cream on top and served with some crusty bread.
Main course - definitely a casserole. Veg peeled and put to one side - again this can be done the day before then only needs steaming or roastiing.
For pud in the winter I usually do a blackberry and apple crumble. Stew fruit day before and chill. Make crumble the day before. Put crumble on top of fruit and whack into the oven when you sit down for the dinner, serve with cream or ice cream or (carton of ready made custard) Shhh -but tell no-one it's shop bought!. An hour or so before everyone arrives have a stiff drink - everything will be wonderful. Bon appetit xx
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Bizibee1 
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