HELP- need to come up with a difficult menu

[pugwash4x4]

Next weekend- 4 Couples:

2 Pregnant Woman
One pregant woman who is also a Veggie
3 real Foodies
2 People that don't really like vegetables but love meat
1 Promised 3 course meal.

Got as far as a starter of Butternut squash foam or similar.

Looking to make something seriously impressive which can be mostly prepared in advance.

Totally out of ideas!

[captainzep]

I'd do a platter of SE Asian food, stick lots of litttle dishes on the table Tapas style and let them take what they want. Lots of veggie options. Lots of potential for taking the pressure off by preparing in advance.

I did something similar for the cooking competition here: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

-although this was only to share between 2.

[Stevenj214]

I made Clapshot for the first time the other day - half potatoes, half turnip, mashed together with butter and chives. Could make a nice accompaniment for your main.

[Mobile Chicane]

captainzep said:

I'd do a platter of SE Asian food, stick lots of litttle dishes on the table Tapas style and let them take what they want. Lots of veggie options. Lots of potential for taking the pressure off by preparing in advance.

I did something similar for the cooking competition here: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

-although this was only to share between 2.

Liking Zep's idea.

However I'd organise this is a succession of 'courses', ie:

- veg spring rolls / fishcakes
- satays: beef, chicken, tofu etc with a vegetable salad and a noodle dish
- coconut rice pudding / fresh fruit

I think most people will be impressed that you're able to make such things yourself, while the foodies can marvel at the unexpected combinations of flavours and textures.

There's a Rick Stein recipe for Balinese beef satay with dipping sauce (in the BBQ thread) that no-one I've tried this on has failed to be impressed by.

[Stevenj214]

I've just picked up a couple of Innocent Veg Pots from Tesco becuse they looked nice (and were half price!).

8 varieties you could use as insipration for a complete veggie main, plate up for the veggie then stir through some cooked meat for the carnies.

http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/things_we_make/veg...

[Mobsta]

As a fall back, you could install a conveyer belt which moved clockwise around the table, loaded with instant meals, with a microwave in the middle, and a die to elect the next eater. If your guests are greedy pigs they can enjoy being able to hog-out on 4 meals, and you wont be offended if anyone only wants to eat twice as you wont notice.

Velcro-strap waiters trays to dogs heads and have them galloping round and round the room with various cans stuck to the trays, and swing the snap-pot desserts from the rotating ceiling fan on strings which eaters can pluck from, and it'll be a brilliant night of group-nuking grub which everyone will remember forever, wont be any trouble at all!