Entertaining neighbours

honeyrose Sun 30-Aug-26 13:22:50

We’ve been to 2 sets of neighbours houses for a meal over the last year and I feel I ought to ask them back to our house for a meal as a way of reciprocating. Trouble is, I don’t like cooking for people - I get very flustered, tired and I worry that I’m not a good hostess. I just cook for DH and I, but once a year do a family buffet for 9 or 10 people. DH feels that we should reciprocate with the neighbours, but he’s not the one doing the cooking. We only have a small dining table which would seat 6 at a pinch, but I’d have no room to put out dishes of vegetables etc. DH won’t eat anything other than English food and I find that I’m going round in circles and keep putting off inviting them. There would be 6 of us in total. I’ve never cooked a chilli as I know that’s an easy one to share. What do others suggest, please. Would a buffet be acceptable? I’d rather take them all out for a meal, but that would prove to be very expensive if we went anywhere decent. I know I’m making loads of excuses, but it’s bothering me about what to do. I’d rather the neighbours had just invited us round for drinks and nibbles and then it would be easier to invite them back.

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Pigma Sun 30-Aug-26 18:34:21

You could make a lasagne the day before - or earlier and freeze then defrost - and serve that from the worktop. Pass round some garlic bread - bought and reheated in the oven with the lasagne - and a bowl of mixed salad.
Pudding - some form of tart from Marks’ with a jug of cream to pass round.
Very simple and all prepped in advance.
Nibbles with drinks beforehand.
All prepared ahead of time, once the lasagne is cooked it will sit for quite a while in a very low oven and come to no harm.
You should have a lovely evening with a very acceptable meal and a non-stressed hostess.

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Pigma Sun 30-Aug-26 18:36:41

Oops, sorry, just reread your husband only likes English food - tell him it’s mince and cheese sauce, he can leave the lasagne if he wants or just serve him a portion with no lasagne in it.

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MarieElla Sun 30-Aug-26 19:20:21

Can't your husband cook?

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JoyBloggs Sun 30-Aug-26 19:59:03

Ooh, honeyrose, I'm so pleased to 'meet' you! It is great to know there's someone else out there who shares my lack of enthusiasm for cooking meals for people... I was beginning to think I was the only person in the world! I will follow this thread with interest and wish you the very best of luck!

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midgey Sun 30-Aug-26 20:08:15

Why don’t you just tell them you hate cooking and suggest a pub lunch together? I loathe cooking, it’s such a waste of time so I totally understand.

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MissAdventure Sun 30-Aug-26 20:22:50

Supermarkets will make up platters of sandwiches, chicken drumsticks, and things like that.

They vary in price depending on what fillings you want, and come all laid out nicely on silver disposable serving platters.
If you really don't want to cook, it might be worth getting a few of those.

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Nannytopsy Sun 30-Aug-26 20:32:41

Cook’s chicken, ham and leek pies are very good and easy to pass off as your own particularly if you get one of their pie dishes too ! ( Shhh!)

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JoyBloggs Sun 30-Aug-26 20:45:31

One time when I had to feed people I bought a huge ready made boeuf bourgignon (my butcher very conveniently made and sold these in foil containers for reluctant cooks such as myself). I simply dusted off one of my own casserole dishes and shovelled it in... it was yummy. I managed to cook a few green beans and new potatoes to accompany. Nobody asked for the recipe or I would have owned up. grin Probably strawberries and cream for dessert.