Chicken Cordon Bleu are very easy to prep ahead of time and keep in the fridge. Then you pop them in the oven to cook while you are finishing off the rest of the dinner (salad, mashed potatoes which also can be made ahead of time, veggie, rolls). The nice thing about Chicken Cordon Bleu is that the are perceived as being very elegant, when the actuality is that they are the easiest thing in the world to make.

Chicken Marbella

Anonymous wrote:Cornish game hens, new potatoes and rainbow carrots, steamed broccoli.

Why? There is so little meat there! Why not a chicken?

Anonymous wrote:The British are used to bad food. Just make a pot roast or fish and chips

you wouldn't feel free to say this about almost any other group. And it isn't true

Anonymous wrote:If you like Ottolenghi then the cover recipe from his Plenty book is easy, delicious and makes a lovely presentation: eggplant with yogurt sauce.

I love this recipe. Also, add scallops (easy to sear, a little fancy, if good quality will taste good), roasted baby potatoes, and a green salad. Done!

If you like Ottolenghi then the cover recipe from his Plenty book is easy, delicious and makes a lovely presentation: eggplant with yogurt sauce.

Jambalaya, green salad, crusty bread, hot sauce to pass.

You make it ahead of time, then pop it in the oven for 30 minutes or so. Have some chicken broth on hand to make sure it doesn't dry out.

The Ottolenghi dish of eggplant in curry coconut dal is great. Can be made ahead.

I think I would do a main dish that is completely make ahead. Something like a daube or short ribs which you can slowly reheat and broil before serving if you prefer. Then the afternoon of you can put together other dishes, including maybe an Ottelenghi dip or vegetable side.

Cornish game hens, new potatoes and rainbow carrots, steamed broccoli.

I would make salmon, roasted potatoes and roasted vegetables. You can pre-roast the vegs and warm before serving, and prep the salmon in advance and just hands off bake it 20 min before you want to eat (15 min cook, 5 min rest). You could bake the salmon with simple evoo, s/p, and lemon, and prepare a chimichurri or romesco or other sauce ahead of time to serve with it (I love drizzling those sauces over potatoes and veggies, too).

For apps I’d do a couple of nice cheeses, a baguette and some olives. And I’d buy a pie from my favorite bakery for dessert.

It is a work night, no one will expect you to provide a 7 course meal.

I would go to Trader Joe’s and get some of their yummy appetizers, like the warm Greek cheese spiral in phyllo dough and the marinated artichokes, and then prepare your go-to fancy entree and sides. For my vegetarian friends I make my mom’s pesto pasta recipe. For non-vegetarian friends I like to make this Mediterranean onion chicken thighs dish with rice and maybe a Greek salad. https://www.themediterraneandish.com/skillet-onion-chicken/

Then tie it all together with a fabulous dessert, something you feel confident about, that component can be from Trader Joe’s as well.

Spotted dick.

The British are used to bad food. Just make a pot roast or fish and chips

My husband’s lovely English boss is coming for dinner. I adore her and she is fancy but always appreciative and gracious. No dietary restrictions. I’m at a loss of what to make. It’s a work day although I’ll be working from home and can prep. I have a toddler and would like to talk to said boss so I can’t be stuck in the kitchen. She and I both love Ottolenghi, so I was thinking of some of his recipes. Any ideas? Thanks!