ceviche, tagine, and home made ice cream...

[sprite]

not a good menu, is it?

we have friends coming to visit and they're lovely, but used to some excellent food in london. i want to make something that won't kill me but will also be somewhat impressive. my only advantage is that neither of them can cook.

i was thinking a ceviche starter, because we were in peru last year, followed by a lamb tagine. but i don't think those really flow, do they? for myself, i don't care. i eat what is tasty. i'll keep the ice cream, as it's a good recipe (brown bread ice cream).

any suggestions for a starter?

[Queen]

What about cheating on the starter (this is what I would do), and buying mezze dishes and some pita bread to share?

It'd match the tagine, and be easier for you.

[mei]

yes, I always do what Q says. much easier to prepare, still nice to start on. I'm not very good at more traditional starters

[sprite]

mezze! yes, great idea.

i am still embarrassed by the evening where friends were sitting around chatting with wine and nibbles while i was GRINDING THE WALNUTS to dust the individual souffles we were having as a starter.

[Queen]

Ha ha ha - we've all done that and worse.

If I am cooking by myself for a bunch of people I make sure that a lot can be done ahead, and that the starter and/or the dessert is "assembly only".

[mei]

that's another reason why I like mezze-type starters. I serve it on a bar table which is part of my open kitchen. friends can sit there, drink wine, nibble, and chat while I finish the rest of the dinner to be served (and drink, nibble, chat)

[sprite]

the souffles (jerusalem artichoke) were amazing. never again.

even better with this plan is that the man enjoys buying all the stuff for mezze, so one less thing for me to worry about.

[Queen]

So when is this fantastic meal?

**checks diary**

[sprite]

there is room at the table, but one of the guests is an investment manager. he apparently, sings when very drunk.