Dinner party

I agree, it's not a competition so stick with what you know and feel confident with. Slow cooked beef casserole with lots of red wine in it, shallots, baby carrots; serve with colcannon mash and fresh greens would be my "go to" stress free favourite. When I cook it I buy a roasting joint, cut it up and casserole that rather than diced stewing beef or braising steak.

As others have suggested, Lasagne is also a good choice and I would have a few choices of different breads to start with dipping oils etc.

I beautifully laid table can make all the difference too.

You have to feel comfortable in whatever you decide to serve, that way you can relax and enjoy the company. Good luck and have fun!

One of he posters conflated enjoying cooking with ‘Mrs Mopp’?
That’s just ridiculous.
If you don’t want to cook at home and turn the whole thing into a competition, then suggest you meet at the pub and have a drink and a meal...the question is whether you like this couple enough to see them again, or are you just reciprocating out of politeness?

4 skinless chicken breasts
Half jar of mayonnaise
Half jar of mango chutney
Mix chutney and mayonnaise together, put on top of chicken. Bake 170 for 30 minutes. Serve with boiled rice.
Job done.
Starter and sweet from M&S!

I agree its not a competition, we have the opposite problem. Because my husband is a chef people other than close friends are reluctant to invite us for a meal. He really enjoys being asked out to eat so that he doesn't have to cook and doesn't criticise his hosts at all.
MrsMopp cook something easy you are comfortable with and buy in the other bits. It's about friendship and having a convivial evening so relax and enjoy it.

Any thing easy that you feel comfortable doing but do reciprocate if you enjoyed their company. Nothing worse than putting out hand of friendship and no response.

Sorry....apologies.
Didn’t realise your posting name was ‘Mrs Mopp!’

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Some fantastic ideas on Pinterest that look amazing but are so simple ......

I’m sure your new neighbours won’t be judging you on your cooking abilities. Just cook something homely and enjoyable - don’t try to compete, and certainly don’t apologise if you think it’s not up to their standard.

I will never forget hosting a dinner party for the neighbours,and decided on duck,well being young and not very good at cooking,I bought the duck,and proceeded to cook it,,oven temp too high!!I checked it and it turned out overdone,and it had shrunk! So I sent hubby on a tour round the Chinese restaurants buying any thing "duck" on the menu,made a quick sherry/orange sauce and served it in a casserole dish ,as if I had been spending hours preparing it,no one knew,and all complimented my cooking !!

I totally agree with those who advocate honesty. Explain that cooking is not your forte, then cook something you'e comfortable with for main course and buy nibbles and pud. I am a gardener rather than cook but I do a couple of dishes well. I once went to the trouble of making a beautiful raspberry creation from scratch and everyone was too full up to eat it. I believe they thought I bought it. Choose good wine, keep it flowing and all will be well.

If you invite many people, chances are someone will be-
Vegan
Vegetarian
Flexitarian
Lactose intolerant
Gluten intolerant
Averse to carbs
Dairy free

I could go on.....

Buy your nibbles
Something like cheese straws flavoured crisps nothing much

If you are having a starter.. Buy it waitrose m and s
Same pudding unless you like making one before.. Or fresh fruit salad and cream.. Though that can be pricy
Main meal.. Favourite round here is chicken based
tagine casserole coq au vin etc
All easy and cook ahead.. And that's what to aim for
Rice green salad easy

Good luck and enjoy your new relationship
Moving certainly made me slightly up my game
But don't compete
Don't apologise
That is a hiding to nothing
Just try to enjoy your self.. Second one is easy.

Go retro for fun. 1980s: prawn cocktails, roast chicken with roast potatoes and parsnips with any other veg. And, of course, for pudding, Black Forest Gateau if you can find it; or sherry trifle if you can't

I'd remind myself that I'm valued for my company, not for my prowess or otherwise in the kitchen.
To make things less stressful I'd stick to simple recipes and prepare things in advance. Soup for starter, salmon with potatoes and salad for the main course and fruit fool for pudding.
Ask about allergies and likes or dislikes beforehand.

I am no great cook, not interested but do enjoy having people round. I have found just wanting and enjoying their company overshadows any food served. If a guest gets a warm welcome that paved the way for a lovely evening. As has been said be honest and serve what you are comfortable with even if it is a drink and nibbles type thing. No need to go full on candlelight supper x

I invite people to "family supper". I say "I'd love to have you over for dinner as we so enjoyed your company - but just do family meals these days, I hope you don't mind".
They never do.
The the scene is set and you can cook whatever you're comfortable cooking.

Just make sure there's plenty of easy food and enjoy yourself!

Lunchtime between Christmas and New Year.
Sausage rolls-Greggs
Mini quiches etc- Iceland
Salad
Coleslaw.
French sticks.
Cheese board.
Chicken legs.
Cheesecake -Iceland
Shortbread- you are bound to be give n some for Christmas from somebody.
Yorkshire Tea.
Sorted.

Get the whole lot from Cook ... straight from freezer to oven!

I find dinner parties a nightmare, too. I never instigate them but sometimes it is necessary to repay hospitality. My problem is my DH is extremely fussy and some days I cook two dinners as I get fed up with his very plain food. For instance, he likes pasta but won't have it with a sauce, only plain steamed or boiled vegetables. He will have a vegetarian curry but only the shop bought variety, not a homemade one. We are both pescatarian but DH only likes fish from the fish and chip shop. See what I mean? It's a nightmare. My solution is to meet friends at the pub so we can all order what we like.

Ask them for ‘supper’ as a sublimely message. Chicken and leek pie, beef and something pie, vegetable pie, whatever - prepare the filling in advance, put in a nice oven dish, cover with ready made and rolled pastry just before it goes in the oven, a few good quality frozen roast potatoes, peas and carrots. Poach some pears in some red wine, or rum, port, sherry (whatever is handy with some cinnamon), also in advance. Serve with thick cream and some shortbread. All you need to worry about on the evening is putting the pastry on and cooking the veg. If they’re not happy with that then perhaps they’re not the best of people anyway.

Cooks do a lovely selection then you could pass it of as your own .

Oh Buster Tank so many people use Cooks that they are bound to know or if not and they commented you would have to come clean.

Invite them and cook whichever of your usual vegetarian dishes that you know other people like too.

Serve it with the remark that is common in India amongst English speakers, "It is only our everyday plain food." said with a smile.

Why faff about with starters and desserts? One ample course is quite enough. Then coffee afterwards with petit fours or chocolates, if you feel you must do more.

Blimey Patticake, that sounds blooming delicious ?

Well, I wouldn't waste time competing or worrying about it. I would just serve the dishes I would normally serve to visitors, but might just have a starter.

A really simple vegetarian meal might be something they have never had - and would enjoy.