The menu

A relaxed dinner party with wholesome, slow-cooked food gives you enough time to catch up with your guests over a delicious cocktail. Follow it up with a delicious (and maybe hangover-beating) breakfast the next morning.

Dinner: Slow cooker vegetable lasagne

A hearty and healthy main, which will go down a treat with meat eating and vegetarian guests. No need to spend all day cooking. Prepare in the morning and leave to cook throughout the day so you can spend your time preparing for the party. 

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 2 - 3 hours

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 125g vegetarian buffalo mozzarella
• 15g fresh basil
• 6 wholewheat lasagna sheets
• 2 onions
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 large courgettes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 tsp vegetable bouillon
• 1 large aubergine
• 1 red pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil

 

Method

Step 1.

Slice the onions and chop the garlic. Add the rapeseed oil to a large non-stick pan and place on a medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic to the pan and stir frequently for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 2.

Deseed and slice the red and yellow peppers. Dice the courgettes and add both to the pan. Pour in the can of chopped tomatoes along with the tomato puree and vegetable bouillon. Chop the basil and add to the pan and stir.

Step 3.

Cover the pan with the lid and leave to simmer for 5 minutes. 

Step 4.

While the mixture is simmering, slice the aubergine into round 2cm disks. Lay these at the base of the slow cooker and lay 3 lasagne sheets over the top of them.

Step 5.

Spoon a third of the mixture from the pan into the slow cooker on top of the lasagna sheets. Then repeat the process by adding more slices of aubergine, 3 lasagna sheets and the remaining mixture.

Step 6.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and leave to cook on a high heat for 2-3 hours until the vegetables are soft and the pasta is cooked. At this point turn the slow cooker off. 

Step 7. 

Slice and add the mozzarella to the top of the lasagna then put the lid back on the slow cooker and leave for 10 minutes. The steam from the lasagna will melt the cheese leaving a delicious melting topping.

 

Drinks: Tennessee Mule

An American twist on the classic Moscow mule. This cocktail uses smooth Jack Daniels alongside the fiery ginger beer to create a real winter warmer. 

Prep Time: 3 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 100ml ginger beer
• 50ml Jack Daniels Old No.7
• Squeeze of lime
• Lime wedge
• Ice

Method

Step 1.

Fill three-quarters of a highball glass with ice cubes.

Step 2.

Pour 50ml of Jack Daniels over the ice.

Step 3.

Add 100ml of ginger beer (or until the glass is full) and a squeeze of lime. Stir.

Step 4.

Add lime wedge to garnish and enjoy.

 

Breakfast: Eggs benedict with smoked salmon

A fancier breakfast perfect for Christmas day or brunch. It’s easy to put together and will certainly keep any morning headaches at bay!

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 16 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 8 Slices of smoked salmon
• 4 eggs
• 2 English muffins
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• chopped chives (for garnish)
• Butter (for spreading)

Hollandaise sauce

• 125g unsalted butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp white wine vinegar

Method

Step 1.

Start with the sauce. To make the Hollandaise sauce add the lemon juice and white wine vinegar into a bowl followed by the egg yolks. Whisk until the mixture is frothy and light. 

Using a bain-marie (or a bowl over a pan of simmering water) heat the mixture, while whisking continuously, until it thickens. This will give it a lovely silky-velvety texture.

Step 2.

Chop the butter into small cubes and add to the mixture gradually whilst whisking continuously. Keep whisking until it’s the right thickness and creaminess you want. If the mixture begins to split, remove it from the heat and whisk until it comes together and return to the heat.

Step 3.

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and add the white wine vinegar. Once the water has boiled, lower the heat so it’s simmering gently. Stir in a circular motion to create a whirlpool. 

Crack the eggs and slowly lower them into the spinning water one by one. Cook for around 4 minutes and remove carefully with a slotted spoon. 

Step 4.

Cut the English muffins in half and lightly toast. Butter the muffins and add 2 slices of salmon to each half. Top each with a poached egg and spoon the Hollandaise sauce over the top. Finish with chopped chives to garnish. 

 

The Activity

After dinner you can either throw on the party tunes or settle down to a snuggle night of Christmas films.

Don’t forget the board games too! You’ve got hours to catch up and enjoy a drink or two, so why not fill it with party games too.

 

Decor

The overnighters party should be an elegant occasion. Pop on your fanciest party clothes (sparkle is advised) and break out the special dinner set. Really make the most of the night and go all out when it comes to the decor. Decorate the table with festive garlands and pinecones. Light Christmas candles around the house to ensure every sense is filled with festivity, and when it comes time to settle down for the movie, turn down the lights and get cosy with your guests by the warmth of the fireplace.