I am looking for inspiration/recipes for a main course for a dinner party I am having for 6 of my friends. I would like to do something I can just plonk in the middle of the table and everyone can help themselves. I am quite keen to keep it quite modern and impressive looking. I am up for a bit of hard work in prep etc.
Has anyone any ideas?
Thanks
Becky

Paella always looks lovely in a huge pan at the table, you could really go to town with huge prawns and crab claws. Serve with a green salad and a light crisp wine.

I had actually thought about Paella, I think I have a Nigella recipe for that, so I'll gave that a bash.
Thanks!

hi if you have delias compleat cook book she has a lovelyrecipes for a dish to put in the oven made with lager ,and you put sliced french bread on top and grated cheese ,then under the grill to melt the cheese, lovely

If you have Delias vegetarian cookbook, she has some wonderful recipes in there. Sara Brown does some very good but simple pancake recipes. Or why not try a lamb tagine. I think James Martin does one?

Rachel Allen-Favorite Food For Friends, always a winner for me and well worth a look, she has sections for every occasion. sit down sunday lunch to girls night in all easy to follow simple food that taste great. Nigella does a warm shredded salad with mint and pomegranate. ( no fuss and great) fill hot pitta, they do that- and a crisp salad. good sharring food. put bowls of olives and houmous topped with whole chickpeas drizzle with oil. you are hot to trot.

Nigella does a lot of good recipes for her girlfriends, they pop in often. Go on her website to get all her inspirations.

sorry but Nigella's paelle is a nice risoto nothing more... the real paella is easy to do and specially if you buy the ingredients fresh

BeckyMac......all of the above sound great....you could also add tapas mushrooms, l had them in madrid and they are fab, and soooo morish.
You get the largest mushrooms you can find, take out the stalk, season with ground garlic (carefull how you go !!!) and black pepper, top with finely chopped smoked ham and mozzarella cheese. and stick in the oven until ready.

not sure when your party was, but how about fondu, always a winner i find. you can do lots fof different things to go in a yummy sauce. fab and just the thing when the girls are around

for something a bit informal - how about making a bowl of chilli (not too runny), and maybe seasoned strips of fried chicken. keep warm on a nightlight burner. then have a pile of tortilla wraps, bowl of grated cheese, bowl of guacamole, sour cream and a simple lettuce salad. great fun making your own wraps. You have probably had your party by now, so maybe an idea for next time!

and for desert chocolate fondue! with fresh fruit & marshmallows for dipping