Dinner party recipe ideas from Michelle Darmody

Sharing a meal with friends around candle lit table is a nice way to while away a long evening. 

I love having people around to our house for dinner on a blustery Saturday evening and enjoy spending time deciding what to cook.

There is the impression, and sometimes rightly so, that having guests can be stressful and there is always the clean up, which I have to say I shirk away from. But if you are prepared in advance it becomes easier. Having worked in professional kitchens for much of my adult life I have realised that the key to any smooth service is this preparation that goes in beforehand.