Whenever I’m planning a dinner party menu, I’m always looking for a carb to round out the meal. Potatoes are always a safe bet, and this potato and leek gratin is a recipe I often gravitate towards because it goes with just about anything.
Potato & Leek Gratin
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Preserved Lemon & Cumin
I’ve been craving slow-cooked meals like this braised lamb shoulder. It’s rich, comforting and feeds a crowd with very little effort, making it a great option for a winter dinner party.
Slow Roasted Celeriac
This slow roasted celeriac proves that sometimes a few ingredients are all you need. With olive oil, salt, and a few hours in the oven, celeriac transforms into a deeply caramelised, tender and rich dish that feels far more complex than the effort involved.
Confit Duck Leg
Confit duck leg can sound daunting at first, but with a little time it’s surprisingly straightforward to make at home. These duck legs are cured with thyme, coriander and fenugreek, slowly cooked in duck fat until meltingly tender, then crisped until golden and served with an orange and star anise sauce.
Vanilla Parfait with Spiced Plum Compote
This vanilla parfait is one of the easiest desserts to serve at the end of a dinner party. It is light and smooth with a rounded vanilla flavour and served with a simple spiced plum compote.
Baked Cauliflower Cheese with Gruyère, Parmesan & Burrata
This baked cauliflower cheese is comfort food made fancy. Roasted cauliflower with a silky Gruyère béchamel and a crisp Parmesan crust, finished with fresh, creamy burrata.
Saffron Risotto (Risotto alla Milanese)
This saffron risotto is simple, elegant, and guaranteed to wow. It’s creamy, deeply savoury, and visually appealing with its distinctive golden colour.
Red Wine Braised Beef Cheeks
These braised beef cheeks are slow-cooked with red wine, stock and aromatics until tender but still holding their shape and served with a rich sauce made from the braising liquid and a red wine reduction. This is the kind of dish that quiets the whole table at a dinner party.
Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
These are the creamiest rosemary mashed potatoes, perfectly seasoned and enriched with butter and cream. They’re taken up a level by infusing the cream with rosemary, giving them a subtle savoury and aromatic depth, and topped with crispy potato skins for a contrasting texture.
Super Simple Cos Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
This simple cos salad with creamy dill dressing is a staple side dish you’ll want to keep on regular rotation at your dinner table. It’s quick and foolproof to make, and designed to impress with hardly any effort.