"Forget the fussy dinner parties of years gone by. Now, they're all about connecting with others over a memorable meal. Fancy plates and linen napkins optional," says Adam Liaw on The Cook Up.
He's spot on. A dinner party is about good food in good company. And whether you like a simple table or you want to splash out and use the good crockery and cultery, here are a brace of dinner party recipes and party food ideas that will help you plan and prepare a fantastic meal that your guests will love.
CANAPES AND STARTERS
Start things off with a drink and some finger foods. The cucumber bites and asparagus are easy, and the spritz, made with grapefruit and basil leaves, is a great flavour match.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
A little marmalade is the perfect finishing touch for these brandy and orange pâté bites from Simon James Bailey, perfect for serving as party food or before a sit-down dinner. The pâté can be made the day before, making it easier to plate and serve when ready.
Credit: Toast The Host: How To Entertain At Home
This tataki with nduja and red peppers from Martin Benn borrows flavours and techniques throughout Japan, Italy and Spain to make for a sophisticated dinner party starter. Serve in the centre of the table for guests to serve themselves.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
This recipe from Adam Liaw is another lovely starter option. The French-style method of peeling the asparagus yields an extra-tender bite. Sautéed lightly in butter and folded into a creamy risotto, it gives a simple but luxurious result.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
MORE STARTERS
Barbecued squid and macadamia tarator
MAINS
Adam Liaw's roast lamb takes a spin through Japan, turning red wine and rosemary into a rich teriyaki glaze.
Credit: Adam Liaw
This Ainsley Harriott recipe makes a fantastic vegetarian main course, with a cauliflower baked in spiced coconut milk as the star. It’s a hearty dish, packed full of flavour.
Credit: Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen / Dan Jones
Master the art of cooking octopus with Peruvian chef and restaurant owner Alejandro Saravia, who reveals his grandmother’s tips and tricks for achieving tender, flavoursome results. The initial preparation and cooking of the octopus, the lengthiest part of this dish, can be done up to 3 days in advance, leaving only the making of the salad and a quick pan-fry of the cooked octopus to finish the dish.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
Speed up your roasted chicken dinner by using a de-boned whole bird. This method allows you to add more flavour to all sides of the chicken. Lincoln Younes' recipe adds lashings of flavour with a paprika, chilli and herb sauce to coat the chicken before cooking, along with orange juice squeezed over the top, and a miso, mirin and honey basting mixture used during cooking. The baked chicken goes under a hot grill for a few minutes to finish things at the end.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
Guillaume Brahimi shares his method for getting the best out of the seasonal peas with this French classic (it can also be made with frozen baby peas). Served with tenderloin steak and a compound butter, this naturally gluten-free meal is simple enough to make, but perfect for special occasions, too.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
MORE GREAT MAINS
Grilled salmon with slow-cooked zucchini
SIDES
Paralymian Ellie Cole shared this excellent vegetable dish when she joined the Cook Up kitchen. Roasting is a fantastic way to bring out the natural sweetness in brassicas such as broccolini. When paired with parmesan cheese, caramelised garlic and flaked almonds, it makes for a real show-stopper this side dish.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
The bitterness of witlof and the sweetness of brioche blend well in this simple two-cheese bake, a great side especially for gatherings in the cooler weather .
Credit: James Martin's French Adventure
Guy Turland's salad is a fresh fresh combination of juicy watermelon and tomato, warm haloumi and tangy pomegranate seeds, topped with a homemade pistachio dukkah.
Credit: Adam Liaw
Cooked lettuce takes on flavours wonderfully. You can use gem, iceberg or any other lettuce with some structure. The pistachio really gives beautiful texture and flavour to this dish from Travis Harvey, contrasting the creaminess and adding crunch.
Credit: Danielle Abou Karam
MORE GREAT SIDES
Carrots, tops, honey and black garlic
DESSERT
A striking dessert that's perfect for a dinner party table, this tart shared by chef Thi Le features a brown butter and rhubarb filling. Serve with a dollop of whisky cream.
Rhubarb tart Credit: Kitti Gould
This wonderful dessert needs to chill for a couple of hours (or overnight) before serving, making it a great option for a dinner party. If you're short on time, you can buy a sponge and honeycomb to replace those made in the recipe. Either way, it's a rich and rewarding way to finish a dinner with friends.
Combine a honey bourbon caramel sauce, buttery shortbread, fresh peaches and homemade vanilla whipped cream to make a decadent peach trifle.
Honey bourbon peach trifle Credit: Kitti Gould
Condensed milk is the secret ingredient to ultra-creamy flans made across Asia, including this Sri Lankan version. This smooth caramel pudding, made with just five ingredients, makes a wonderful dinner party dessert, as all the cooking is done at least six hours ahead, to allow time for the pudding to chill.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
