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Entertain This Easter

Easter is a funny one isn’t it – unlike Christmas you don’t feel the need to celebrate in style but you get a couple of days off so it’s still nice to make the most of it and do something special. Your nearest and dearest are likely to be at a loss too so it seems to me that the Easter weekend is the perfect time to throw a dinner party and show off your culinary talents.  Whether formal or informal if you pick the right menu inviting friends round for a spot of dinner is a great way to catch up and have fun without breaking the bank. Below are some great recipes for a spring night in that can be prepared quickly and will cost very little.

Starter

Butternut Squash Soup

Soup is a great way to start a dinner party and as butternut squash is about to go out of season this is a great way to make the most of it while it is still around. This recipe will take about 10 minutes to prepare and then can then be left on the stove to cook while you get on with your main course and desert. Serve with a range of fresh bread rolls.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 butternut squash
1 onion
1 small potato
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pint chicken stock
1 handful freshly chopped chives

Directions

1.Prepare the ingredients: peel the butternut squash, scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into thick wedges; peel and dice the onion; quarter the potato; peel and crush the garlic.

2. Heat a large pan containing the olive oil, add the onion and cook on a low heat for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the butternut squash and potato and cook for 2 minutes over a medium heat. Add the garlic and season to taste. Then pour over the stock and simmer for 25 minutes.

4. Using a hand blender or food processor, blend thoroughly and serve sprinkled with chopped chives.

Top Tip: The soup can be prepared early in the day and then reheated when needed to save time. For an extra special finish add a dash of cream to each bowl of soup before serving 

Main Course

Pasta with Smoked Salmon in a White Wine and Cream Sauce

This is one of my favourite recipes – its easy peasy to cook for a large number and always looks gorgeous and appetising when dished up. It will only take about 15 minutes to cook if you prepare your ingredients before hand so I always tend to cook it just before we eat – just leave your guests with a glass of wine after your starter and cook it then. Serve with garlic bread, a fresh green salad and a selection of olives.

Serves 4

Ingredients

200g smoked salmon
500g pasta (I prefer linguine for this dish but penne is often easier to serve)
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic crushed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1-2 glasses white wine
1 large tub single cream
1 tbsp olive oil
Parmesan to finish

Directions

1. Heat your oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion, garlic and a pinch of salt – fry until golden.

2. In a separate pan heat some water and place your pasta in to cook.

3. Add your salmon to your onions and when sealed add the wine and heat until reduced. Add plenty of black pepper and a little more salt.

4. Drain your pasta and add to the salmon pan - cover liberally with cream. Stir well and heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.

5.  Plate your pasta up and sprinkle with parmesan and black pepper. 

Dessert

Dessert needed be a big effort and often some of the most simple options can be the most effective. Some good ideas include:

Fruit Pavlovas – Buy a set of meringue cases and fill with fresh berries – serve with whipped cream and maybe a if your feeling naughty a little sugar.

Ice Cream Sundae – Buy a good quality tub of ice cream, some rich chocolate or toffee sauce, a few wafers and if your feeling really adventurous a tub of sprinkles – then let the sundae building commence – it’ll be just like you’re a young’un again!

Banana Spilt – You don’t need to be a genius to work out how to make this and it is a great retro treat your friends will love – buy some under-ripe bananas, ice cream, squirty cream and some sauce – Viola!  

Simple Lemon Cheesecake – Cheesecake is always a winner in my book and it is one of the simplest things to make. Buy a packet of digestives, crush them and lay them out in the bottom of a cake tin or dish. Mix together some soft cheese, lemon juice and sugar – then lay this mixture on top of your biscuits – leave in the fridge to set. Serve on posh plates with some fruity sauce – you’re friends will think you’re a domestic goddess!