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Cookbooks for the ultimate dinner party

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Ditch the restaurant reservations and host at home instead.

It's time to dust off the good china and get out your special tablecloth, dinner parties are back in style. Whether you're entertaining family and friends for a special occasion or throwing together a casual spread, there's a cookbook here to help you nail it. For extravagant feasts look to The Cook's Table, Ottolenghi Flavour or Food, Fashion, Friends for inspiration. For homely recipes that are sure to impress check out Together, Good Food Every Day or Rick Stein at Home. Keep scrolling for a selection of our favourite dinner party recipes.

Recipes to try

Recipe
Jam jar prawn cocktails

With cocktail sauce, avo, tomatoes & crispy pancetta crumbs.

Recipe
Vietnamese poached chicken salad with mint & coriander

What appeals to me about this salad is the combination of lightly poached chicken, bean sprouts, spring onions and herbs with roasted chopped nuts and sesame seeds, and the slightly gloopy fish sauce, lime juice and chilli dressing.

Recipe
Spaghetti with anchovies and olives

A simple pasta dish that you can whip up in minutes from Claudia Roden's Med.

Recipe
Confit tandoori chickpeas

These chickpeas have had their fair share of Insta fame for a multitude of reasons.

Recipe
Spinach and ricotta lasagne

A fresh and delicious lasagne to enjoy regularly.

Recipe
Sticky miso bananas with lime and toasted rice

This dessert ticks all our flavour boxes.

Recipe
Chocolate chiffon tart

Try this irresistible recipe from Stephanie Alexander’s The Cook’s Table.