Yes, we all used to do impressive menus of horribly expensive ingredients and difficult menus, but when my friends decided dinner parties were way too much like hard work - plus they all had jobs in banks and law firms, so they had money to burn - and started eating out in fancy restaurants, frankly it was a relief.
So the news that, as a consequence of these uncertain financial times we live in, we have to have dinner parties at home again - my home, too - made me fear the enormous cost of it all. But then it was revealed this weekend that Lidl is selling a cooked lobster for a sensational £4.99.
It seems we can all afford to have a little glamour at the dining table even during a credit crunch. And it's not just Lidl doing great deals. There are half-price offers and special mark-downs all over the place.
Even M&S is selling its gorgeous wild salmon at half price - that means £6 for four fillets. You could serve it plain grilled with a salad and anyone would be impressed. Aldi has some great deals too - two whole bream or bass for £6, and baby vegetables at £2 for two packs.
If you want cheap wine, the place to go is Asda. Its La Comida Spanish red and white wines are £2.21 a bottle and very drinkable, or you can choose any three from a huge selection of bottles for £10.
If you end up with one you don't much like, use the white for spritzers and the red for mulled wine - well, it's nearly Christmas! My favourite secret (or so I thought) purchase is a side of salmon from the huge warehouse wholesaler Costco.
A filleted side, skinned, costs about £10. In the summer I'd barbecue one and serve it with salads, now I cut it into smaller pieces when I get home, and roast them with new potatoes, olives, cherry tomatoes, anchovies and green beans, to make a delicious hot salmon nicoise (thanks, Jamie).
Keep things simple, don't try to be flashy - aside from anything else, it's just not the done thing these days, when conspicuous austerity is what's considered appropriate.
Maybe you need to leave the receipt for your Lidl lobster somewhere it can be seen. That way, the boss you've invited round for dinner won't worry that she's paying you too much.
Here are some menus which will knock the socks off your guests, yet cost very little - I have assumed you have got store cupboard basics. They each serve 4.
Prawns and SalmonSTARTER
Prawn cocktail using Tesco Raw Peeled King Prawns, 300g, on offer for £2.62
INGREDIENTS
350g prawns
1 iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
Juice of 1 lemon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp tomato ketchup
METHOD
1. First cook the prawns in boiling water, then cool and refrigerate.
2. Mix the lettuce with lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Take four large wine glasses or ice cream sundae glasses and half-fill with the lettuce.
3. Now mix the mayonnaise and ketchup together, and stir in the prawns.
4. Top the lettuce with the prawn mixture.
MAIN COURSE
Mediterranean Salmon with couscous using M&S wild salmon - £6 for four fillets
INGREDIENTS
4 salmon fillets
175g couscous
2 medium courgettes, sliced
1 red onion, peeled and sliced
125g mushrooms, sliced
1 large red pepper, sliced
2tbsp olive oil salt and pepper handful of fresh chopped dill and basil
2 tbsp ready made French dressing
METHOD
1. Prepare couscous by following instructions on packet.
2. Preheat the oven to 220C. Toss the vegetables in half the oil. Season and roast for 15 minutes, turning once.
3. Put the vegetables to one side.
4. Brush the salmon with the remaining oil, season and roast for ten minutes, turning once.
5. Add the herbs, dressing and roasted vegetable to the couscous and toss well.
6. Serve the vegetable cous cous topped with the salmon.
PUDDING
Pears with Parmesan using half a punnet of ASDA red pears - £1.27 a punnet(so 63p) and half a block of Aldi Specially Selected Parmagiano Reggiano, £2.29 for 200g (ie £1.14).
Slice the pears on to plates and arrange attractively with long shavings of Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Antipasti and lambSTARTER
Antipasti plate Using Aldi Traditional Italian Ham, 100g for £1.24, no added water
INGREDIENTS
100g prosciutto or other dried ham
Handful of olives
Handful of sun-dried tomato
Foccacia bread, cut into cubes
METHOD
Arrange everything on a large plate in the centre of the table and invite guests to serve themselves.
MAIN COURSE
Roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic using Aldi half leg of lamb, £4.99 a kilo
INGREDIENTS
4 cloves garlic
sliced fresh rosemary sprigs
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste half leg of lamb (approx 1kg)
METHOD
1. Defrost the lamb.
2. Cut slits in the top of the leg of lamb every few inches, deep enough to push slices of garlic down into the meat.
3. Season with salt and pepper generously all over the top of the joint, place several sprigs of fresh rosemary under and on top of it.
4. Roast at 180C, until the lamb is cooked medium to well done - around 45 minutes.
Serve with boiled new potatoes and steamed broccoli and sugar snaps
PUDDING
Profiteroles with chocolate sauce £1.19 for 20 from Aldi. Serve with coffee!
TOTAL: £7.42
Lobster and crab cakesSTARTER
Lobster mousse using lobster from Lidl, £4.99 for 375g cooked lobster
INGREDIENTS
375g cooked lobster meat
2 tbsp mayonnaise
juice of 1 lemon
freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp Tabasco
175g butter, melted
6 sprigs dill
METHOD
1. Mix the lobster meat with the mayonnaise, lemon juice, pepper and Tabasco.
2. Spoon into ramekins.
3. Top with melted butter and a sprig of dill.
4. Serve with triangles of brown toast.
MAIN COURSE
Crab cakes using large Irish crab from Lidl, precooked £2.99 for 400g.
INGREDIENTS
225g white and dark crabmeat
225g cooked mashed potato
half a small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley
1 tbsp chopped chives
1 tbsp of lemon juice
1 pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
2 eggs, beaten
55g dry breadcrumbs
flour
vegetable oil for frying
METHOD:
1. Mix the crabmeat with the mashed potato, onion, parsley, chives, lemon juice, cayenne, salt and pepper.
2. Add one of the beaten eggs and mix well, to bind.
3. Flour your hands and make eight cakes from the mixture.
4. Beat the other egg in one bowl, and in another pour the breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper.
5. Dip each crab cake into the egg, and then coat with the breadcrumbs.
6. Heat some oil in a frying pan and gently fry the crab cakes, turning once, until they are brown on both sides.
7. Serve two hot crabcakes to each person, with salad or steamed vegetables and mayonnaise.
PUDDING
Eton Mess, using Aldi frozen raspberries £1.29 for 300g and meringue nests, ASDA 99p for eight.
INGREDIENTS
300g frozen raspberries
1 tbsp icing sugar
570ml double cream
8 meringue nests
METHOD:
1. Puree half the raspberries with the icing sugar, then sieve until smooth.
2. Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks and smash up the nests.
3. Stir in the raspberry puree to create a swirled effect, add whole raspberries and smashed meringue nests.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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