Best Ottolenghi Recipes for Dinner Parties
Find the best Ottolenghi recipes for dinner parties from this list of favourites or find a new idea to entertain and feed your guests!
Things to consider when choosing your Ottolenghi recipe for entertaining
A successful dinner party menu should take into account the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests, as well as the occasion and theme of the party. For example, if you are hosting a formal dinner party, you might want to choose recipes that are more sophisticated and refined, while a casual backyard barbecue might call for more laid-back, easy-to-prepare dishes.
It’s also a good idea to consider the amount of time and effort that each recipe will require. While it’s always nice to impress your guests with an elaborate, multi-course meal, it’s important to choose recipes that you feel comfortable making and that won’t take up all of your time and energy.
Overall, the key to finding the best Ottolenghi recipe for a dinner party is to strike a balance between flavours, presentation, and practicality.
10 Best Recipes for an Ottolenghi Dinner Party
1. Smoked aubergine & yogurt vol-au-vents
Source: Ottolenghi.com.uk
This best Ottolenghi recipe for dinner parties includes smoked aubergine yogurt vol-au-vents and is a delicious appetiser. It features small puff pastry cups filled with a creamy mixture of smoked aubergine (eggplant) and yogurt.
The eggplant is smoked over a gas flame or on a barbecue, then mashed together with the yogurt and a few spices. The mixture is spooned into the puff pastry cups and baked until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. The finished vol-au-vents are served hot, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika and a drizzle of olive oil. This recipe is easy to make and is sure to be a hit with your guests.
2. Roasted chicken with clementines & arak
Source: Ottolenghi.com.uk
This recipe for roasted chicken with clementines and arak is a flavorful and impressive main course that is perfect for a dinner party. It features a whole chicken that is roasted with a mixture of clementines, onions, and arak (a Middle Eastern liquor).
The arak helps to tenderise the chicken and gives it a unique and aromatic flavor. The clementines and onions roast alongside the chicken, adding sweetness and depth to the dish. The finished chicken is juicy and tender, with a beautiful golden brown color. It’s served with the roasted clementines and onions on the side.
3. “Everything” cheesers
This recipe for everything cheesers is a savoury and satisfying appetiser that is perfect for a dinner party. It features small bread topped with a mixture of cream cheese, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of “everything” seasoning (a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, and other spices).
The bread is then toasted until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The finished cheesers are crispy and flavorful, with a creamy and savoury filling.
This recipe makes somewhere between 24-48 cheesers and can be easily scaled up or down depending on the size of your party. It’s an excellent choice for a casual get-together or as part of a more formal menu.
4. Baked seafood with tomatoes and Turkish cheese
Source: Ottolenghi.com.uk
This recipe for baked seafood with tomatoes and Turkish cheese is a flavorful and impressive main course that would be well-suited for a dinner party. The seafood is flavoured with garlic, chilli flakes, and herbs and is baked until tender and flavorful. The finished dish is garnished with a sprinkle of chopped herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
This is one of the best Ottolenghi recipes for dinner parties because it’s relatively easy to prepare (with time), and guaranteed to impress. It’s filled with simple layers of flavours and can be served at both casual and formal events.
5. Sticky miso bananas with lime and toasted rice
This recipe for sticky miso bananas is a sweet and delicious dessert that is perfect for a dinner party. It features bananas that are coated in a mixture of miso paste, honey, and butter, then grilled until caramelised and tender. The finished bananas are served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the sticky miso glaze.
When it comes to the best Ottolenghi recipes for dinner parties and finding features for your dessert menu, this has to be the first stop!
The combination of sweet and savoury flavours in the miso glaze is unique and delicious, and the grilled bananas have a lovely caramelised texture. You can change servings of this recipe by simply changing the number of bananas given to guests and add extra sides like ice cream!
6. Butterbean hummus with red pepper and walnut paste
This recipe for butterbean hummus with red pepper and walnut paste is a delicious and easy-to-make appetiser that is set to impress guests at your dinner party.
It features a smooth and creamy hummus made with butterbeans (a type of large white bean) and flavoured with a mixture of pepper and walnut paste. The hummus is served with a sprinkle of paprika and a drizzle of olive oil, and can be accompanied by a selection of vegetables and crackers for dipping.
TThe creamy hummus is a great choice for a dinner party because it’s easy to make and can be served as an appetizer or part of a larger menu. It’s a tasty and vegan-friendly option that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
7. Coffee and chilli-rubbed chicken koftas with grilled onions
This recipe for coffee and chili-rubbed chicken koftas with grilled onions is a flavourful and satisfying main course that is perfect for hosting.
It features chicken koftas (small meatballs) that are flavored with a mixture of ground coffee, chili flakes, and a variety of spices, then grilled until tender and flavorful.
The koftas are served with grilled onions and a yogurt-based dipping sauce on the side.
8. Butternut squash with ginger tomatoes and lime yoghurt
This recipe for roasted wedges of squash is a dinner party favourite, featuring a unique combination of sweet roasted squash, tangy lime-fresh yoghurt, and gingery oven-dried tomatoes.
A long-standing staple at Ottolenghi delis and NOPI restaurant, it has proven to be a crowd-pleaser and a must-try for anyone looking to impress their guests with a delicious and unique dish.
9. Warm vegan spinach and artichoke dip
This vegan artichoke dip is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you serve it with a variety of fresh crudites such as fennel, radicchio and radishes, or with tortilla chips, it is sure to be a hit.
It also makes for a delicious creamy spinach-style side dish when paired with roasted vegetables like wedges of butternut squash or celeriac (celery root). Perfect for any dinner party or gathering.
10. Roast turkey with ancho chilli gravy
This turkey recipe, infused with the bold and intense flavors of chilli paste, is sure to be a showstopper at your next dinner party.
The chilli paste can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge, making it easy to prepare. The turkey is perfectly complemented by the rich and smoky charred braised beans and the sweet and crispy roast carrots, making it a perfect and complete meal.
If you’ve got a nice open, Australian kitchen, you can impress guests by carving the turkey as entertainment (if you’re good at it!).
