Dinner Party ideas?!

Stephen_Leak

N9eav wrote: »

MEAT curry, not a korma. Sort of a Roshan or flavourful curry, heat is optional.
Thanks

OK, here it is. The magic ingredient is the little bit of ginger. It may not seem or even look much, but it makes all the difference. Also, using the separate chilli powder, gram masala and turmeric allows you to fine tune the hotness and spiciness to your liking, without ending up with tubs of ready made curry powders of different strengths, only one of which you actually use.

BEEF CURRY

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

375g of beef
2 onions
1 clove of garlic
2cm (1 inch) piece of fresh ginger
2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
½ a teaspoon of salt
200g (½ a 400g tin) of plum tomatoes*
1 teaspoon of chilli powder
1 tablespoon of garam masala
½ a teaspoon of ground turmeric
250ml of water

METHOD

Chop the beef into 1cm (½ inch) pieces. Peel the onions and chop them into tiny pieces. Peel the garlic and chop it into tiny pieces. Peel the ginger and chop it into tiny pieces.

Put the oil into a saucepan on a low heat. Put the beef, onions, garlic, ginger and salt into the pan and cook for 45 minutes. Stir frequently to stop it sticking.

Open the tin of tomatoes. Pour the juice into a bowl. Chop the tomatoes while they are still in the can (it’s easier than chasing them around the bowl). Put the chopped tomatoes into the bowl. Use half and save the other half.

Pour the tomatoes into the saucepan. Continue to cook, stirring as the mixture boils. Add the chilli, garam masala and turmeric and stir. Add the water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat until it is just boiling (simmering). Put the lid on the saucepan and cook for 30 minutes.

ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

The quantity of chilli powder above makes for a medium curry. For a mild one, decrease this to ½ a teaspoon. For a hot one, increase this to 2 teaspoons. For a very hot one, increase this to 3 teaspoons.

* Plum tomatoes can be used either whole or chopped. It is difficult to stick chopped tomatoes back together again if you need to use them whole.

N9eav

Thanks for writing out that curry recipee for me. I will give it a go for tonight

I did this for last night

http://www.cooksister.com/2008/03/quick-pork-chop.html

The starter was Parsnip and sweet potato soup

The desert, Paris-Brest.

Cooked up a storm.... It all tasted delicious though. Too many bottles of wine to go with it.:o

loopyloulou_3

I have just decorated my dining room and invited 5 of my friends over for dinner (one of whom I have been on a "date" with recently!)

The "date" probably will come over earlier than the others so I want something that I can prepare the majority of in the morning/night before if I can, so I dont have to spend the afternoon in the kitchen and when my other friends turn up I can throw in the oven, I want it to look impressive too (the way to a man's heart and all!) The problem is trying to keep everyone happy!

I'm a veggie (although I have tons of veggie bakes etc I could make, would like some new ideas) so I want to make a meat dish and a veggie dish
I dont wanna make a lasagne particularily
One of the party is pregnant so I will have to bear that in mind, another doesnt really like anything spicy or fish!
Why am I iniviting these people round eh?!! ha ha

ANY IDEAS?!

Thanks a million

Loopy xxx

TNG

If you aren't too interested in sophistication........

How about a pizza night? Make your dough and a simple sauce and loads of different toppings, then people can put on what they want.


Keeps everyone happy


*shuffles off to have a proper think*

kunekune

If one of the guests is pregnant, you need to avoid reheated food and any deli products, like the meat on a pizza. One of the risks during pregnancy is listeria, and that's the way you get it.

purpleivy

Pork fillet with cheese and cream is very very easy. Hang on, will find recipe! It is very much a 'get ready' and bung in oven thing! The real beauty of it as far as I am concerned, is that it needs no frying and messing around beforehand, that always makes such a mess. I used it when I did adult ed classes. The chaps who were there to sort out 'their turn to cook' got this in the oven first, then got going with something more complicated for the rest of the evening.


PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CREAM AND CHEESE


Serves 4 people. Serve with noodles and a crisp green salad. Using a cheaper cut of pork e.g. boneless ‘chops’ can make this dish more economical.

Deep 3 pint (1.7l) ovenproof dish
1 ½ lb (700g) tenderloin of pork (cut into 1” thick medallions)
2 medium onions finely chopped
1oz grated parmesan cheese
3oz grated Cheddar cheese
½ pt (275ml) double cream
a little butter
salt and freshly milled black pepper

Pre-heat oven to Gas Mark 6, 400F or 200C

· Lightly butter ovenproof dish.
· Arrange layers of meat (seasoned with salt and pepper) onions and finely grated cheese. You should get 2 layers: meat. onion, cheese, meat, onion, cheese.
· Bake this in the oven for 50 minutes.
· Add the double cream and bake for a further 15 minutes, until golden brown.

purpleivy

A vegetarian option? Miss out the meat! Add more chickpeas instead, or maybe some kidney beans

I would also add some fragrant spice to this, rather than hot spice... a teaspoon of cumin and one of coriander, also maybe a tsp paprika



Seven-Vegetable Couscous (serves 6)


Seven is a magical number in Morocco and there are many recipes for this glorious celebration couscous. The vegetables here are carrots, parsnips, turnips, onions, courgettes, tomatoes and French beans. You could substitute different vegetables if you like.

30ml/2tbsp sunflower or olive oil
450g/1lb lean lamb, cut into bite sized pieces
2 chicken breast quarters, halved)
2 onions, chopped
350g/12oz carrots, cut into chunks
225g/8oz parsnips, cut into chunks
115g/4oz turnips, cut into cubes
6 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
900ml/ 1 ½ pt. chicken stock
Good pinch ginger
1 cinnamon stick
400g/14 oz can chickpeas, drained
2 small courgettes, cut into julienne strips
115g/4oz French beans, trimmed and halved if necessary
400g/14oz couscous
A little harissa or Tabasco sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat half the oil in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole and fry the lamb, in batches if necessary, until evenly browned, stirring frequently. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Add the chicken pieces and cook until evenly browned. Transfer to the plate with the lamb.

Heat the remaining oil and add the onions. Fry over a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the carrots, parsnips and turnips. Stir well, cover with a lid and “sweat” over a gentle heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Add the tomatoes, lamb, chicken and stock. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add the ginger and cinnamon. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 35-45 minutes until the meat is nearly tender.

Add the chickpeas, courgettes, beans and raisins to the meat mixture, stir gently and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables and meat are tender. Transfer the chicken to a plate to remove skin and bone if preferred. Stir the chicken back into the stew.

You may only want to do the recipe as far as this in class, then do the couscous when you’re ready, as it is nicest done fresh and isn’t much effort.

When you want to serve the dish prepare the couscous according to the instructions on the packet. Pile onto a large serving platter, making a slight well in the middle. Spoon 3-4 large spoonfuls of stock into a separate saucepan, add harissa to the separate stock and heat both seasoned stock and stew gently. Spoon the stew over the couscous. Serve the harissa sauce in a separate bowl/jug.

purpleivy

Also for vegetarian, check out Tortilla Beany Bake on the vegetarian Society website. It's simplicity itself, plus there are lots of other things there that might be suitable

http://www.vegsoc.org/nvw/2004/recipes/tortillas.html

Will have further thinks.

lumpy_bum

what about a sophisticated buffet?
you could do the pizzas, lots of other nibbles and lay it all on the table. if you go over to the grabbit board you can get a chocolate fountain for less than a fiver too
i got one and im doing all this for the kids today lol

loulou26

How about a Mexican themed night? Just need to make a big batch of chilli, can do a veggi one and a meat one, lots of nachos, salad, beans, rice etc
doesnt need to be too spicy