Is it me or him?

I do a cheat base for a blackcurrant or fruits of the forest mousse cake, by cutting the sponge of a bought large flan base to the size of a cake tin, then make a black fruits mousse, pour it on and set, then decorate the top with fruit. the sponge from the edges of the flan base can make trifle

Aldi's plain New York cheesecake (from the freezer section) is lovely too. You can add your own topping to jazz it up a bit.

I agree Feelingmyage - something light - lemon posset is lovely - creamy but light - you don't have to serve it with the recommended shortbread but if you do, just buy some and add some red berries on the side (not in it).

I have have never had success with microwave puds yet my SIL will follow the same recipe and it is delicious. Anyway here is my comment - haven't some of us seen(and eaten) so much over the festive season that 'go light' would be an idea. Syllabub is luxurious, simple and light(ish) even though it has cream. Or what about a cheeseboard with fruit on it. Can linger over it, eat less or fruit if full and no cooking, also no need to worry about leftovers. main thing is enjoy the friendship and sharing.

I make steamed puddings quite often in the winter but have never tried one in a microwave. However, every J.O. recipe I have tried has been extremely disappointing, so I avoid him like the plague. Have to agree, Aldi make lovely puddings!

I agree with some of the others - M & S and Tesco do a delicious Tarte au Citron, and good cheesecakes...and I often buy a frozen Roulade (the lemon one particularly delicious I think!). Get some exotic ice-cream too!

We do a big tray of chopped fruit, marshmallows etc then melt some dipping choc and just let them all help themselves !

I only cook for people I am very close to, best friends and family. All people who don't care if things go wrong as well as mucking in to help. I want to enjoy the experience not get stressed by it. It should be fun not an ordeal

Lemon posset! ) Look up recipe online. The world's easiest pud. Takes about 10 minutes to make, leave it in the fridge until ready to serve and then wait for the compliments! I NEVER cook complicated dishes - and this one is less complicated than most.

Can't imagine making a steamed pudding for a dinner party - would worry too much about how it would turn out!! There are great puds in Waitrose and M&S and a pavlova filled with fruit and cream (I spread melted white choc on the base and use double whipped cream and raspberries). You can make it ahead and fill just before serving - miss out the choc if you do this). You are lucky to have someone to make the starters and mains. x

I find everyone loves the old favourite apple crumble! Easy to make and they all want seconds. Not super sophisticated maybe - but popular and delicious.

carol, I was just going to mention Aldi - their puddings are really good especially the toffee (??)roulade. Sainsbury do a roulade to that is lovely. Adding fresh fruit and cream make them a bit special.

Buy something. Then you can enjoy yourself.

Get something like a cheesecake and smother with fresh fruit.

Easy Eton Mess with frozen raspberries & bought meringue plus whipped cream. So simple but so good!

I served a lemon marscapone cheesecake from Aldi at one meal over Xmas and it got so many compliments. Really creamy & lemony, just gorgeous! One of their 'special' range.

I make a simple sponge pudding in the microwave, put jam or syrup in the base of the dish and the sponge mix on top. It comes out as light as a feather. Very simple recipe, flour/marg/sugar/egg/drop of milk.
I think some of these chefs make things far more complicated than needed.

Annoying isn’t it when you go to the trouble of trying out a new recipe and it isn’t worth the effort. It may not be your fault, and could just be a stodgy recipe.

Do one of your tried and trusted puddings. No need that buy something if you have a few of those.

Meringue nests, whipped cream and cherries in kirsch.

Sharp eating apples, cored stuffed with mincemeat and topped with butter and brown sugar. Baked while you eat the other two meals.

Syllabub?

MadSad - buy something! Life's too short to worry about puddings. I find most people these days don't really want pudding anyway. they are always on a diet or trying to eat healthily. Offer them fresh fruit and cheese instead.

Make (or buy) a very light sponge cake. Fill it with whipped cream and lots of fresh fruit. You can make the cake in advance if you have the time a d freeze it, so all you have to do on the day is thaw it and fill it.

ps M&S or Waitrose - fresh puds in the chilled section.

Buy a pud - no-one will judge you!
Lemon tart with cream and some fruit eg raspberries?

Definitely buy the pud and add something to it to personalise if you really think you need to.

If not feeling well why not buy the pud?

Or Google BBC food microwave marmalade steam pudding.

Hope you feeling better by next weekend

I made a no cook white choc and raspberry cheesecake, think it was JO recipe, I found it online. Extremely simple and delicious, I used up left over Christmas cream, Aldi cheap white choc and frozen raspberries.