Love wining and dining

Stay in and create your own menu, or even re-create dishes from your favourite restaurant

I love eating out, trying many different restaurants and pubs, it’s always nice to be wined and dined.

However, I also think you can make it just as much fun to stay in and create your own menu, or even re-create dishes from your favourite restaurant.

Whether it’s just you and your partner or with a group of friends, give it a go.

Plan your evening well, write your menu out, try and keep it simple but effective.

Remember the more you plan in advance the easier you will find it on the night.

Get down to your local deli, butchers or fish mongers to get quality produce at great prices.

The local butchers for instance, will sell you the quality of meat you have at your favourite restaurant for the same price as the pre packed meat you see in the supermarkets, with the added extra of a great one to one service.

I’m not a fan of supermarkets, however I have to say the quality of wine has vastly improved on the aisles.

A favourite of mine is Gewurztraminer, a wine that comes from the Alsace region in France.

I find this wine seems to go with all different types of food. You can pick up a decent bottle from around £8-£10, saving you a good £10-£20 on restaurant prices.

Sample Menu

• Grilled fillet of seabass, Thai salad and lemon grass vinaigrette
• Oven roast pork fillet, fondant potatoes, caramelised apple, black pudding and a whole grain mustard veloute
• Champagne and strawberry jelly
• And an old favourite, sticky toffee pudding with luxury vanilla ice cream

Set your table out like you would see in a restaurant, and don’t forget the wine cooler, so you won’t have to leave the table to keep your guests topped up.

Some background music will help you to get a restaurant atmosphere.

You’ll be sure to have a great night, just make sure you get all the preparation done before your guests arrive, so all you have to do is serve and enjoy. 

Food & Wine by Andy Mckay
little.deli@yahoo.com