Bad Manners and Brimstone

Obviously, this assumes you like dinner parties! I'm hoping to start having them again when we're allowed, and I'm looking for ideas. I tend to do this only in winter so my ideas are all cold-weather based.

If people have allergies/aversions/special issues, you're very welcome to suggest things for them.
 
For my ideal dinner party, I'd start with smoked salmon on challah slices as an appetizer/starter course, or a chunky vegetable soup with warm bread.

For a main course, mustard chicken or roast chicken. Cottage pie is also an option, or pasta.

Sides would depend on what I was making- with the chicken I'd probably do something like scalloped potatoes and a green or yellow vegetable. Cottage pie might not need one depending how many veggies go into it. Pasta  would get some sort of vegetable depending on the type. Salad is probably going to be a warm salad if I do one, because salad greens in winter don't really appeal to me. I found a recipe for a hot carrot and mushroom salad a while back that I need to find again and try.

Dessert- I just learned an apple cake recipe that's been a hit with people. Serving that warm with ice cream? Oh, yes! Fudge cake is also yummy and easy. Or, I might do a few varieties of fudge if I know they like it, and serve it with fruit. Another option is apples and honey, especially if you've got a good local honey and people who aren't huge on dessert/sweets.

What would you make?

Sure, here it is! Next time I may try it in a 9"x13" pan instead of a cake pan because it's very dense and took a long time to bake all the way through.

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2017/09/jackapple-cake-season-is-here.html

My landlady loved it.

Everything sounds so good!   I hope you will consider me as a possible addition to your guest list!   

Heck, I'd be happy with just the appetizers!

What a fun idea.

Wannaca, that cocktail sound wonderful for fall.

It is wet and rainy outside so thinking Fall. This is my favorite 3 course dinner party menu served American style*. Links to recipes provided.

Hor d'oeuvres - Crab meat au gratin with crackers

First course, Ina Garten's Maple Roasted Carrot Salad with Goat Cheese
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/maple-roasted-carrot-salad

Main Course, Prosciutto Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce (I do make the sauce with a variety of mushrooms)
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/prosciutto-stuffed-pork-tenderloin-with-mushroom-sauce-107649
Green beans almondine, and roasted butternut squash

Dessert, Caramel Apple Strudel with Cinnamon ice cream.

Depending on crowd, I might do a cheese and port course instead of dessert. 

Wannaca, that cocktail sound wonderful for fall.

*I clarify because a few of my favorite dinner party menus is usually more European style if a small soup course, a fish course, a main, then salad and then cheese and port. But I only do those for smaller groups or when it's a collaborative dinner party.

For summer, my favorite dinner party menu is Spanish inspired:
Hor d'oeuvres if tapas usually including Pan con tomate, goat cheese stuffed dates with bacon, and skewers of manchego, olives and chorizo with a good selection of spanish wines and maybe Sangria.
First course is Tuna stuffed piquillo peppers with a bechamel
Next is the Paella served served with a green salad (some times I'll serve the salad on it's on before the paella or after)
Finish with Crema Catalana

Cider House Rules
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2341/cider-house-rules
I like it better with a golden tequila.

"goat cheese stuffed dates with bacon"  That got my attention.  I would definitely like to try that.

I make them by combining equal amounts goat cheese and cream cheese and a bit of red pepper flakes. Take the seed out of the Majool dates and stuff with the mixture. Wrap half slices of bacon around and secure with toothpicks. Put on cookie sheet and bake at 400 for about 10 minutes, turn and bake another 10 min.

There is also a recipe for the same ingredients as a dip on the NYT website. I've not tried it but might for the next event instead of spending so much time stuffing dates.

At any party I throw people always want my mini twice-baked potatoes.  They are a lot of work, but people love them.

Homemade biscuits are a snap to make, and so good. I've been making them more since the lockdown and you can put so many things into them to make them even better. RN I'm doing a lot of parmesan biscuits, they go really well with homemade Hamburger Helper.