Hi, I'm new.

Tracey-Woo

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member to MSE, although I admit I have read the forums for a long time. I really love reading all the tips on this board and on the special occasions forum too.

I would like to pick your brains if I may as I know you're all good cooks on this forum from what I've read.

I'm having a few friends over at the weekend (just girls) and want to cook something nice for them, but I'm just not sure what. I want to make it in advance if I can but everything I think of, there's a problem with. 1 of the girls doesn't do meat, she isn't veggie but just doesn't like meat. She will eat chicken at a push but she'd rather not and another of the girls doesn't like tomato or tomato based sauces. I love to cook but i'm not very adventurous and am nervous cooking for others.

Any suggestions and sorry to dive straight in with a request for help?!

I think I'll make cheesecake for pudding, sound good?

Thank you very much!

Tracey xxx

Mummy_Jo

What about Chicken Fajitas with a veggie side too. That way the people who don't like the chicken and the salsa just leave them out. I find this type of dish really conversational. Please let me know if you would like my recipe it uses lime, coriander and garlic to marinade the chicken into.

Oh, the other good thing about fajitas is that it can all be prepared in advance leaving you to pretty much enjoy yourself when your guests turn up!:beer:

Failing that two lasagnas one veggie and one turkey with white sauce and not tomatoes - I have cooked both in the past

Good Luck with it all:D

dreaming

Delia Smith's Chicken Basque is my standby (although I adapt it quite a bit).

Basis recipe - chicken (thighs are great/cheap), chorizo sausage (you don't need much, or leave this out if too spicy/expensive), rice (I use brown), onions, stock with a splash (lots!) of white wine, seasoning.
Then I add whatever I have around -baby tomatoes (they don't mush down), vegetables, pulses. Delia actually slices oranges into - really nice, but I don't always do it.

Best thing is, apart from the initial browning, sautee-ing, you can just shove it in the oven and leave it for an hour, so you can enjoy your friends' company. Just serve with some nice crusty/garlic/focaccia/rosemary bread. Mmmm!

Butterfly_Brain

Have a Mexican night and do fajitas, quesiladas etc look on Nigella Lawsons web site for recipes, here is the link:
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/nigella_recipes.aspx

ChocClare

If you're worried about no meat and no tomatoes, then how about spanokopita - spinach and feta pie made with filo pastry? It is YUMMY - even my son will eat it and he hates all vegetables.

There is a recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spanakopita-Greek-Spinach-Pie/Detail.aspx
and if you're not an experienced cook, then there's step-by-step photos here:
http://greekfood.about.com/od/greekcookinglessons/ig/Spanakotyropita/

You can make it all the day before and just put it in the oven before your party. Use extra cheese if you're worried about the spinach! You can use melted butter instead of oil to brush the phyllo pastry for extra richness. You can use frozen spinach if you can't be bothered to cook fresh. Serve it with a salad and it's easy.

You don't have to use ricotta - you can use feta and cheddar or feta and parmesan.

Tracey-Woo

Thank you all, some really good ideas there. I'm not sure about fajita's because I'm not that keen on spicy food, although I do try it. We're a fussy bunch aren't we?! Lol

Anyway, thanks for all the ideas and links. The Feta pie sounds good, I'm a huge fan of feta and most Greek Foods- I love Stifado, Lamb a la greco and soulvaki mmmmm but obvivously won't be having those cos they're very meaty! I'll check the pie out.

Thanks again all! x

candice56

You could go down the tapas route, lots of little dishes of different foods, doesnt have to Spanish just stuff that kinda goes together!

If youre not too worried about your budget then go to a deli counter and salad bar and all the prep is pretty much done, get a big fresh loaf of bread to bulk it out and soak it up if youre also having a few sherries!!