Starter for a Come Dine With Me type evening with friends....

starfruit_86 · 04-12-2013, 11:19

Hi all,

Myself and a few friends are having a Come Dine With Me evening soon and I am doing the starter. It will be for 6 people, someone else is doing a fish course, then someone else is doing a roast beef dinner then obviously a pud.

I'm a bit stuck on what to do for the starter though..... I love Italian food, both cooking and eating but don't feel that Italian is the way to go with this type of menu. Has anyone got any suggestions of a nice dish that would compliment this menu?

Any help much appreciated

x

Jambo_c · 04-12-2013, 13:22

In the past I've done a goats cheese mousse with bread and red onion marmalade. This went down well.

For my next dinner party I plan on doing an afternoon tea type concept with beetroot scones with jam (beetroot puree) and cream (goats cheese mousse). Served with a beetroot martini served in tea cups.

I've done crab cakes in the past too which went down well.

xp95 · 04-12-2013, 13:49

Prawn cocktail!

Summer Breeze · 04-12-2013, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp95

Prawn cocktail!

I was going to say that too

Or what about good old avocado with prawns.
Flash back to the 80s

xp95 · 04-12-2013, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summer Breeze

I was going to say that too

Or what about good old avocado with prawns.
Flash back to the 80s

Great minds think alike, I suppose!

Utopian Girl · 04-12-2013, 14:16

Delis has a great recipe for Haloumi with caper sauce in her Summer book/ on line - some warm crusty rolls - yum, & I'm veggie.

DrFlowDemand · 04-12-2013, 23:45

gnocchi and cheese sauce

Yeah_Jackie · 05-12-2013, 08:43

Rocket salad.

Kiko H Fan · 05-12-2013, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian Girl

Delis has a great recipe for Haloumi with caper sauce in her Summer book/ on line - some warm crusty rolls - yum, & I'm veggie.

I was going to suggest Halloumi, maybe fried in chilli oil, then served with a small salad dressing and a wedge of lemon.

Trouble is, most CDWM snobs find that "too easy" and "not much cooking".

DrFlowDemand · 05-12-2013, 13:27

Three large home made raviolis can be presented nicely on a plate with a little salad, going with the Italian food that you like.

xp95 · 05-12-2013, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFlowDemand

Three large home made raviolis can be presented nicely on a plate with a little salad, going with the Italian food that you like.

I hate ravioli!

Jambo_c · 05-12-2013, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp95

I hate ravioli!

How can you hate Ravioli? Surely it depends on the filling and you can pretty much put anything you want in it.

How about Steak Carpaccio? Easy to prepare and provided you get a good fillet of beef it's very nice. Or if you can get good fresh fish you can do a fish version.

Utopian Girl · 05-12-2013, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan

I was going to suggest Halloumi, maybe fried in chilli oil, then served with a small salad dressing and a wedge of lemon.

Trouble is, most CDWM snobs find that "too easy" and "not much cooking".

Delia makes it with a caper sauce - serve it with some speciality bread ( and rocket) I adore it - so have most of my friends who have come to eat - watch out for cow's milk Haloumi V goat/Sheep's milk!

I'd play safe with the cow's milk as a lacto vegetarian. I can't abide sheep/goat products despite people thinking people who regard veggies as goat cheese loving!

sarahj1986 · 05-12-2013, 16:04

I think you would want something that can be prepped before and finished off before serving. Fish cakes for example can be made up before then fried off before serving, or maybe a soup made then reheated.

Jambo_c · 05-12-2013, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahj1986

I think you would want something that can be prepped before and finished off before serving. Fish cakes for example can be made up before then fried off before serving, or maybe a soup made then reheated.

Fish cakes are always good, you could do Thai or Cajun style.

If you're doing soup I'd go for something a little bit different as I tend to find soup a bit boring. I've had lovely Carrot and Kiwi soup and some nice Sweet Potato and Chorizo too.

ff999 · 05-12-2013, 18:17

Is a homemade soup, with homemade croutons/crusty bread too basic? I know on a night like tonight, that's what I'd want.

DrFlowDemand · 06-12-2013, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp95

I hate ravioli!

Even home made, and filled with something you like?

The OP did state they like Italian foods so I was trying to think about things that fit with that without overlapping other people's courses, like meat and fish dishes.

I don't especially like the ravioli that you get in a tin but,fresh ravioli is delicious with a butter and pine nut sauce for instance.

My next suggestion, inspired by ravioli, is dim sum, which can be fun.

I hope you let us know what you go for in the end?

Kiko H Fan · 06-12-2013, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp95

I hate ravioli!

Ravioli is pretty inoffensive.

Do you hate all pasta?

xp95 · 08-12-2013, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan

Ravioli is pretty inoffensive.

Do you hate all pasta?

No, just ravioli.

gemma-the-husky · 08-12-2013, 20:43

Delia does a great. "souffled arbroath smokie cream". Search for this. Sorry i cant post the link because i am using a tablet.

Use smoked mackerel instead of arbroath smokies. We have them cold instead of reheating. Lovely recipe. 100% guaranteed.

sarahj1986 · 10-12-2013, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jambo_c

Fish cakes are always good, you could do Thai or Cajun style.

If you're doing soup I'd go for something a little bit different as I tend to find soup a bit boring. I've had lovely Carrot and Kiwi soup and some nice Sweet Potato and Chorizo too.

Yeah we did thai flavoured with a chilli sauce and it went down well when I did a CDWM evening.

Those soups sound interesting!!

JJ75 · 10-12-2013, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by xp95

No, just ravioli.

I hate ravioil too. I was force fed the cheap stuff in tins as a kid.

Jambo_c · 10-12-2013, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ75

I hate ravioil too. I was force fed the cheap stuff in tins as a kid.

I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie.

JJ75 · 10-12-2013, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jambo_c

I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie.

Yep, its irrational even the word "Ravioli" makes me feel light headed and sickly. The tinned stuff should come with a health warning, what is that grisly meat in it

I use to wear one of those bibs with the turned up bit to catch food and the ravioli would collect in the bottom, end up back on the spoon and be shoved into my mouth. This was probably 35 years ago now

Yeah_Jackie · 10-12-2013, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jambo_c

I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie.

It is pretty easy to overcook and turn in to slime. That has no appeal to me either. If it's cooked properly then I'm a fan but too often I've had it out and it was just not good.

As for the tinned stuff, well I'll leave that to Porcupine. They had craving for it a few months ago.

(At least I think it was Porcupine).

04-12-2013, 11:19	#1
starfruit_86 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 19	Starter for a Come Dine With Me type evening with friends.... Hi all, Myself and a few friends are having a Come Dine With Me evening soon and I am doing the starter. It will be for 6 people, someone else is doing a fish course, then someone else is doing a roast beef dinner then obviously a pud. I'm a bit stuck on what to do for the starter though..... I love Italian food, both cooking and eating but don't feel that Italian is the way to go with this type of menu. Has anyone got any suggestions of a nice dish that would compliment this menu? Any help much appreciated x

04-12-2013, 13:22	#2
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	In the past I've done a goats cheese mousse with bread and red onion marmalade. This went down well. For my next dinner party I plan on doing an afternoon tea type concept with beetroot scones with jam (beetroot puree) and cream (goats cheese mousse). Served with a beetroot martini served in tea cups. I've done crab cakes in the past too which went down well.

04-12-2013, 13:49	#3
xp95 Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: At the bottom of the staircase Posts: 2,406	Prawn cocktail!

04-12-2013, 13:51	#4
Summer Breeze Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,042	Quote: Originally Posted by xp95 Prawn cocktail! I was going to say that too Or what about good old avocado with prawns. Flash back to the 80s

04-12-2013, 13:57	#5
xp95 Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: At the bottom of the staircase Posts: 2,406	Quote: Originally Posted by Summer Breeze I was going to say that too Or what about good old avocado with prawns. Flash back to the 80s Great minds think alike, I suppose!

04-12-2013, 14:16	#6
Utopian Girl Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7,610	Delis has a great recipe for Haloumi with caper sauce in her Summer book/ on line - some warm crusty rolls - yum, & I'm veggie.

04-12-2013, 23:45	#7
DrFlowDemand Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,035	gnocchi and cheese sauce

05-12-2013, 08:43	#8
Yeah_Jackie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Jackie's World Posts: 15,321	Rocket salad.

05-12-2013, 11:23	#9
Kiko H Fan Inactive Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 6,338	Quote: Originally Posted by Utopian Girl Delis has a great recipe for Haloumi with caper sauce in her Summer book/ on line - some warm crusty rolls - yum, & I'm veggie. I was going to suggest Halloumi, maybe fried in chilli oil, then served with a small salad dressing and a wedge of lemon. Trouble is, most CDWM snobs find that "too easy" and "not much cooking".

05-12-2013, 13:27	#10
DrFlowDemand Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,035	Three large home made raviolis can be presented nicely on a plate with a little salad, going with the Italian food that you like.

05-12-2013, 14:03	#11
xp95 Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: At the bottom of the staircase Posts: 2,406	Quote: Originally Posted by DrFlowDemand Three large home made raviolis can be presented nicely on a plate with a little salad, going with the Italian food that you like. I hate ravioli!

05-12-2013, 14:52	#12
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	Quote: Originally Posted by xp95 I hate ravioli! How can you hate Ravioli? Surely it depends on the filling and you can pretty much put anything you want in it. How about Steak Carpaccio? Easy to prepare and provided you get a good fillet of beef it's very nice. Or if you can get good fresh fish you can do a fish version.

05-12-2013, 15:39	#13
Utopian Girl Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7,610	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan I was going to suggest Halloumi, maybe fried in chilli oil, then served with a small salad dressing and a wedge of lemon. Trouble is, most CDWM snobs find that "too easy" and "not much cooking". Delia makes it with a caper sauce - serve it with some speciality bread ( and rocket) I adore it - so have most of my friends who have come to eat - watch out for cow's milk Haloumi V goat/Sheep's milk! I'd play safe with the cow's milk as a lacto vegetarian. I can't abide sheep/goat products despite people thinking people who regard veggies as goat cheese loving!

05-12-2013, 16:04	#14
sarahj1986 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 8,099	I think you would want something that can be prepped before and finished off before serving. Fish cakes for example can be made up before then fried off before serving, or maybe a soup made then reheated.

05-12-2013, 16:25	#15
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	Quote: Originally Posted by sarahj1986 I think you would want something that can be prepped before and finished off before serving. Fish cakes for example can be made up before then fried off before serving, or maybe a soup made then reheated. Fish cakes are always good, you could do Thai or Cajun style. If you're doing soup I'd go for something a little bit different as I tend to find soup a bit boring. I've had lovely Carrot and Kiwi soup and some nice Sweet Potato and Chorizo too.

05-12-2013, 18:17	#16
ff999 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Middlesex Posts: 4,482	Is a homemade soup, with homemade croutons/crusty bread too basic? I know on a night like tonight, that's what I'd want.

06-12-2013, 00:16	#17
DrFlowDemand Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,035	Quote: Originally Posted by xp95 I hate ravioli! Even home made, and filled with something you like? The OP did state they like Italian foods so I was trying to think about things that fit with that without overlapping other people's courses, like meat and fish dishes. I don't especially like the ravioli that you get in a tin but,fresh ravioli is delicious with a butter and pine nut sauce for instance. My next suggestion, inspired by ravioli, is dim sum, which can be fun. I hope you let us know what you go for in the end?

06-12-2013, 08:27	#18
Kiko H Fan Inactive Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 6,338	Quote: Originally Posted by xp95 I hate ravioli! Ravioli is pretty inoffensive. Do you hate all pasta?

08-12-2013, 19:33	#19
xp95 Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: At the bottom of the staircase Posts: 2,406	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiko H Fan Ravioli is pretty inoffensive. Do you hate all pasta? No, just ravioli.

08-12-2013, 20:43	#20
gemma-the-husky Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 17,858	Delia does a great. "souffled arbroath smokie cream". Search for this. Sorry i cant post the link because i am using a tablet. Use smoked mackerel instead of arbroath smokies. We have them cold instead of reheating. Lovely recipe. 100% guaranteed.

10-12-2013, 12:12	#21
sarahj1986 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 8,099	Quote: Originally Posted by Jambo_c Fish cakes are always good, you could do Thai or Cajun style. If you're doing soup I'd go for something a little bit different as I tend to find soup a bit boring. I've had lovely Carrot and Kiwi soup and some nice Sweet Potato and Chorizo too. Yeah we did thai flavoured with a chilli sauce and it went down well when I did a CDWM evening. Those soups sound interesting!!

DS Forums

Starter for a Come Dine With Me type evening with friends....

10-12-2013, 12:31	#22
JJ75 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,887	Quote: Originally Posted by xp95 No, just ravioli. I hate ravioil too. I was force fed the cheap stuff in tins as a kid.

10-12-2013, 14:37	#23
Jambo_c Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3,721	Quote: Originally Posted by JJ75 I hate ravioil too. I was force fed the cheap stuff in tins as a kid. I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie.

10-12-2013, 15:32	#24
JJ75 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,887	Quote: Originally Posted by Jambo_c I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie. Yep, its irrational even the word "Ravioli" makes me feel light headed and sickly. The tinned stuff should come with a health warning, what is that grisly meat in it I use to wear one of those bibs with the turned up bit to catch food and the ravioli would collect in the bottom, end up back on the spoon and be shoved into my mouth. This was probably 35 years ago now

10-12-2013, 15:40	#25
Yeah_Jackie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Jackie's World Posts: 15,321	Quote: Originally Posted by Jambo_c I genuinely find this confusing, I don't understand how people can say they don't like ravioli, especially when they like pasta. The crap tinned stuff is a million miles away from proper Ravioli. You can pretty much put anything in it, lobster, crab, different cheeses, spinach, butternut squash, pumpkin etc etc. Surely it depends on the filling, saying you don't like Ravioli is like saying you hate every pie in the world, just because you dislike apple pie. It is pretty easy to overcook and turn in to slime. That has no appeal to me either. If it's cooked properly then I'm a fan but too often I've had it out and it was just not good. As for the tinned stuff, well I'll leave that to Porcupine. They had craving for it a few months ago. (At least I think it was Porcupine).