Fatman

Hi folks,

I'm looking for ideas for a dinner tomorrow. We're having friends round and I'm lacking inspiration! I'm thinking of doing a "beef in beer" type cassarole, but have no idea about a starter. I'd like to keep it on a 'red wine' theme (i.e. not switching white/red on courses). What do you think would work well to start?

The only rules are:

• No tomatoes
• No dairy (although goats milk-derived produce is OK)
• Nothing mentally spicy

Dessert ideas? Something on the lighter side would be good. I've always fancied doing poached pears, but any fruity desserts will be considered.

Ideas much appreciated!

ProperCharlie

i normally do something with fish for a starter, but that would mean changing wine.

could do something simple like parma ham, shaved parmesan and rocket, with balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil. with a dish like this, the quality of the ingredients is everything. get top dollar stuff and something that takes 5 minutes to prepare will seem vey special indead.

ChrisB

http://www.deliaonline.com and http://recipes.sainsburys.co.uk/ are handy at times like this.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I did a cracking dessert with raspberrys, cream , crushed berry muesli bars and whisky. It was called highland mist or summat such.

It went down very well and took about 15 minutes to make, then was kept cool for serving.

Have you thought of halves of melon, (the orange fruited round ones are best for this), with a dessertspoonful of port in it for a starter?


Alcazar

Geddon

Smoked salmon Gravad Lax.
Hmmmmm yummmmm......

Fatman

Ugh.. port. No, hadn't considered that. Can't stand the stuff. Thanks for the idea though . Salmon's good though. I'm also thinking on the 'fish theme'; a fresh tuna salad maybe. That could work with red wine, no?

blair

Hmmmm - I've done a beef in guinness with prunes before - sounds weird but tastes great

For desert, I think alcazar is thinking of cranachan - a few fresh rasps, toasted oats, whipped double cream and a generous glug of best malt

What about a soup for starter - something with a wee bit of kick might work well - a spiced carrot & orange or carrot and corriander ?

Is it tea-time yet - I'm starving

MattW

Old fave - Pate?

jcullen

on the main courses front, how about steak and kidney pie? theres a recipe in one of delia's books and it comes out the nuts!
James

Fatman

...sounds tasty. Got a recipe anywhere?

Regarding the main -- I had a look around the Beeb food site earlier. There was a reference to beef, oysters and Guiness pie. Sounds very interesting. The prunes sound interesting though. That would work well with ale, I imagine (?).

Chip

How about Coq Au Vin. Make it properly and it will taste superb. Marinate chicken(legs) in wine that you would want to drink yourself and not cheap red plonk like most use,flame brandy etc.


Takes ages but well worth it.

Chip.

blair

Ah - I might be a bit late with these, hope the food went well anyway - what did you make ?

Beer and prune stew:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...nn_10934.shtml

Soup:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...oup_6914.shtml

I'd put a wee bit more paprika in than in the recipie to give a bit more spice - maybe add a little ground ginger as well, depending on taste

Fatman

Thanks blair but, yes, that's a bit late. The meal was Friday last week. I'll keep that soup recipe by for later though.

For note, I did...
Starters: warm tuna salad. Think salad nicoise with chunks of fresh grilled tuna
Main: beef & Guinness stew. Mustard mashed spuds and green veg.
Dessert: pears poached in red wine.

Seemed to go down fairly well. I'm definitely going to do the poached pears again.