Dinner Party on a Budget

Patchwork_Quilt

Borrow Jamie's Dinners or his Ministry of Food from the library. There are some good, cheap ideas in there.

Last week, we had one of his which was basically chicken pieces roasted in olive oil with different types of tomato, garlic and basil. Can serve with jacket potatoes and a big, green salad.

Hm soup should be a fairly cheap starter

trina2010

i love a good cottage pie, or a good chicken and brocolli pie.

cook the chicken and any veg you like, put into a pot for the oven, add enough gravy to just cover the chicken and veg and top with mashed potato.
absolutely lovely good warming winter meal

caroline1973lefty

i like nigella's vegetable chilli (i think it's in Feast but i found it online too). Cost - i reckon about £1 per head if you use value kidney beans, etc (a bit more with the sides like h/m guacamole, sour cream/yoghurt, etc). Initially i was a bit worried making something so 'studenty' for friends, but this recipe is so delicious (and simple) that everyone wanted the recipe. Nigella's recipe has a corn crust but i didn't actually bother with that. I think its the cocoa and ketchup that make it so extra tasty!

Paulie'sGirl

Hiya,

We're in the same position this Friday coming, so today I made a massive lasagne and froze it in its dish (uncooked) [I have a mental week ahead, so no prep time on the day really) I'll make a salad to go with it.

I picked up a lovely focaccia from Aldi (though I could likely have made one myself, again, I'm pressed for time) which I'll serve as a starter with the olive oil & balsalmic vinegar dip.

Pud is more of an issue. I had fancied a pavlova but time is against me on that. I made eton mess the last time we had these guests so thats out. I'm thinking Nigella's honey semifreddo in keeping with the italian theme, and its easy, so OH can do that while I'm away.

Hope that helps somebody

PGxx

lucylema

wow, never expected so many responses - thank you so much. there are some lovely ideas which are very much appreciated.

I am hungry now and have sent hubby to make the dinner. Tonite is Chilli Bacon with Pasta. Now, this is a great dinner party idea but.... another couple who we dine with make this so its a no no for us.

Lucy

katylou6180

Hi all,
I have to cook dinner for friends on saturday evening, and wondered what everyone's cheapest, most impressive meals were! I am frightened at the prospect of the food costing too much trying to be posh!
Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am aiming to do a three courser..not the best at planning and usually limited time, and friends are always late-so stuff that won't spoil is usually better!

Thanks

Pink.

Hi katylou,

Soup is an easy starter that isn't expensive and can be made in advance. What about lasagne, cottage pie, chilli, curry or a casserole for the main course? Meals like that can be very forgiving if your guests are late. You could pad it out by serving it with a salad and crusty bread. For desert, an apple pie, trifle, pavlova, fruit salad?

These threads may give you more ideas:

Dinner Party ideas?!

Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest

Starters

Fail-safe dinner party puddings

Pudding and dessert recipes

cheap tasty puddings

I'll add your thread to the first link later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

Agapanthus

Steer clear of souffles if they're likely to be late!

Soup is an ideal starter. There are lots of recipes to choose from, according to your taste. Serve with bread or rolls.

For a main course, any sort of casserole is pretty foolproof. It can be made the day before - or whenever you have time.

For simplicity, pick a cold dessert. I always reckon that trying to time a hot one to be done just as you've finished the main course is the trickiest thing. Any of Pink's suggestions would be great.

Finish up with biscuits and cheese for a low effort end to the meal. Only buy cheese that you'll use up for the family later!

Jem8472

I think a casserole is always a great winner, can be started in advance normally tastes better the next day. Beef is my fav but sausage casserole is great as well. I love putting dumplins into a casserole :-) yummie.

I have a great recipe for chocolate puddings that are molten in the middle so its a sponge on the outside and chocolate sauce on the inside!

katylou6180

thanks all for your help!! Pink winged, how do you keep in touch with all the indexes everywhere!! I will hopefully have a good night