'Posh' family food - old style?

pinkcheshirecat

Hi,

Desperately seeking help/inspiration...... I'm hosting guests over the weekend, we are always entertained in amazing style when we stay with them..... Beautiful food and plentiful, however, we're on more of a budget than they are, so.......

I need to feed 5 adults and one child, family type food, but 'posh' and on a budget(ish), I can cook fairly well and have most equipment/ well stocked cupboards...... Any suggestions? Stuff I could do (part of) before hand would be really helpful.

Nothing too spicy, but none of us are very fussy......

Thanks for you help!
Pink X

Islandmaid

Pink,

I think I would go down the route of Beef Bourguinon with celeriac mash and carrots etc or Roasted leg of lamb with Dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal veg - something hearty and autumnal - served in nice dishes it will look the part - I,d start with antipasti and end on something simple like posh vanilla icecream with a hot chocolate sauce

Prinzessilein

Do you have a slowcooker?....Pop a few veggies- onion, carrot et.c in...then lamb shank(s)...liquid (stock and something fruity...redcurrant juice maybe or a slug of red wine?....and a big splodge of redcurrant jelly would be delicious!)...lid on, slowcooker on and leave it while you entertain your guests....serve with buttery mashed potato and cabbage...the meat should just fall off the bones...delicious, restaurant quality nosh and really cheap!

Nicki

How about some old nursery classics but well presented? Eg a steak and kidney pie with little puff pastry lids cooked separately and served on top of the meat filling. Or individual cottage pies made in ramekins if you have them. Salmon en croute is also easy to make and looks expensive. To keep costs down you could make one large one to slice at the table where you bulk out the salmon and sauce filling with vegetables (spinach is particularly good for this).

GwylimT

Three courses or two?

Aldi has monkfish on offer at the moment, very posh!

A good starter
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/seasons/what-should-you-be-cooking-this-month/pepper-crusted-monkfish-with-red-pepper-relish

Main you need to choose your meat really, belly pork is very cheap but treated right and its really really nice.

theoretica

I would cook cider ham before hand - either for a main meal, or with nice bread for lunches.

pinkcheshirecat

Thank you all so very much,2 courses, but what amazing ideas you all have , I can't thank you enough. I now have a list to choose from!

Slow cooker idea is fab, as I could put that on early and have time to chat!

Fantastic- thank you! Xx

GwylimT

Risotto is nice and easy too, you don't need to keep stirring, you can just add the liquid and shove it in the oven. Butternut squash risotto is yummy!

missbiggles1

Coq au vin is also easily done in a slow cooker - especially frugal if you use a boiling fowl.

TopsyMum

Risotto is a nice easy 'posh' meal and adaptable in that you can pick a recipie or use up bits and bobs you have around. The two favourites in this house are a use up one I do that's always chicken,peppers,mushrooms,onion when I end up with bits of each but not enough to do anything proper with and a lovely butternut squash and sage one that is from a recipie.
And I know a lot of people won't necessarily consider it 'posh' but two things I love to do for visitors are spaghetti bolognaise or lasagne,with garlic bread and salad.....I find these always go down well and are simple and quite cost effective too.A big lasagne in the middle of table to serve yourself ( ditto salad and garlic bread) always looks nice too.

katkin

I'm wishing you had an open invite with such lovely recipes here.

What about Traditional Cassoulet. With garlic bread and a big salad.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/10/how-to-make-cassoulet-chicken-food-lab-french-casserole.html

I always find a big lasagna goes down well with all peopl, again with garlic bread and salad.

Antipasto to nibble can be quite cheap if you buy from Lidl / Aldi. I'm dreaming of puddings now... sticking with a french theme you could do a tart tartin. Or a cheese board with fruit, celery etc.