Hot Chocolate Anyone ?

Howdy @Faith-and-Hope @silhouette

Day off here and so far next to nothing achieved ...

Having visitors over for tea (fortunately we do not have to resort to cannibalism and have visitors FOR tea). Am thinking of having Indian style food - a chicken biryani and stir fried cabbage.

Am stuck as to what else I should have as this is inadequate for the group coming who have hearty appetites. I have seen a steamed cauliflower recipe that is finished with spices and almonds fried in ghee that looks alright. Not sure if to have a curried potato and green bean dish that I know is nice but usually served with naan bread, am thinking we are missing green and orange veg options.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

That all sounds really nice @Former-Member ..... with raita and chutney on the side maybe ?

Can you use leftovers across the next couple of days so you don’t need to worry about over-supplying the meal ? Sometimes I will put a leftover dish into a pan of heated stock and make it into soup. All of that sounds suitable to doing this ...... including the stir-fried cabbage ..... or even combining a couple of they are single portion leftovers.

Good idea @Faith-and-Hope

Hello @Faith-and-Hope, Darcy, thanks for tagging me. Good to see you. I'll have a Long black coffee thanks 🙂

@Former-Member, next to nothing done! I so relate to that feeling, like ya chasing ya tail or can't get going. 3pm now so any progress? Just do something simple for tea, a foolproof fav with eligant table setting, maybe even a candle. Glass of wine, dip, nice music.
I love the hot lamb roast woolies sell by their bbq chickens now, yum! And those packets of made up gravy (rosemary) you just heat up in the microwave. Frozen winter vegies steamed. A dollop of sour cream. Tinned TwoFruits & custard. Mints & coffee. , open fire... Whatever, took me years to realise its more important to be relaxed for guests than have the worlds best spread. Be yaself ❤
xox

Good progress @silhouette, after perusing recipes ended up having lunch out before doing our big fortnightly shop.

Lol, I did get a leg of lamb, marinaded it in a ready made korma sauce and have put in the oven to roast. Plan on tossing in some pumpkin toward the end and serving it with a not so spicy cabbage stir fry and green beans.

Got some chutney and ingredients to make a tzatziki style raita (thanks @Faith-and-Hope some naan bread and pappadoms. This along with the chicken biryani should hit the spot. This morning realised menu was lacking in veg.

Was thinking a paella cooking pan would be just the thing for biryani and was most disappointed the only shop I know in our rural town that stocks them had sold out.

Dessert is canned peaches (in mango puree) with icecream.

Definitely no candlelight either, there are three blokes coming, two older ones who both live on their own, the other a young student. Only one has any appreciation of fine food, whilst they all like food, and plenty of it, it is all about the company. Mr D appreciates any effort I make and he willingly gets ingredients for me - but primarily I do it for myself - cooking is one of those things I take delight in and let slip when Mr D was really unwell and am really enjoying trying new recipes again.