Hosting a dinner party can be a daunting task, especially when you want to impress your guests with a lavish spread but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Fear not, dear readers, because there is a perfect solution for you.

Here’s a list of deceptively simple, yet utterly delicious dishes from Mary Makes It Easy by British chef Mary Berry, that will have your guests thinking you've spent the entire day slaving over a hot stove, when in reality, it only took you half an hour.


From mouthwatering mains to a decadent dessert, these recipes are designed to impress with minimum effort.

So, let's dive in and start cooking!

1. Crayfish and Avocado Cocktail


This elegant starter is a delightful blend of succulent crayfish tails and creamy avocado, served in a tangy cocktail sauce.

It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to your guests' preferences or what's available in your local supermarket.

You can replace the crayfish with prawns or crab, if you prefer.

The best part? You can assemble these up to an hour ahead and keep them chilled in the fridge, freeing you up to mingle with your guests.

Here are the ingredients for serving four people:

• 225g cooked shelled crayfish tails
• 1 large avocado, peeled and quartered
• 2 Little Gem lettuces, shredded
• 4 thin slices of lemon to garnish

For the cocktail sauce:

• 3 tbsp creme fraiche
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste
• 1 tbsp hot horseradish sauce
• A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
• A few drops of Tabasco
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped dill, plus 4 tiny sprigs, to garnish

Once cooked, the crayfish tails are patted dry and added to the sauce, along with diced avocado.

The mixture is then spooned over shredded lettuce in four glasses, garnished with reserved crayfish tails, slices of avocado, a slice of lemon, and a sprig of dill.


2. Chicken Tartiflette


This dish is a twist on the classic tartiflette, a traditional dish from the Alps made with potato, bacon, onions, and Reblochon cheese.

The version uses chicken breasts wrapped in Parma or Black Forest ham, and if you can't find Reblochon, Brie or Camembert make excellent substitutes.

Here are the ingredients for serving six people:

• 8 slices of Parma or Black Forest ham
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 500g new potatoes, thickly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 6 small skinless boneless chicken breasts
• 200g button mushrooms
• 200ml white wine
• 150ml pouring double cream
• 115g Reblochon cheese, rind removed and diced
• 1 tbsp grainy mustard
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• 1 tbsp freshly chopped thyme
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

To cook this dish, first preheat your oven to 200°C. Then, grab two slices of Parma ham and snip them into small pieces.

In a big shallow roasting tin, toss together those snipped Parma ham pieces, onions, potatoes, oil, and garlic. Sprinkle on some salt and freshly ground black pepper for flavour. Pop it all in the oven and let it roast for around 25 minutes until the potatoes are nearly tender.

While that's cooking away, lay out the rest of your Parma ham slices on a board. Take your chicken breasts and place each one on top of a slice of ham, then wrap the ham around each breast. Give them a sprinkle of seasoning.


Once the veggies are nearly done, take the roasting tin out of the oven. Stir in the mushrooms, wine, cream, and add the cheese.

Place those wrapped chicken breasts on top of the veggies and slide the whole thing back into the oven for another 20-22 minutes until everything is tender and cooked through.

When the chicken's done, take it out of the tin and let it rest on a warm plate. In the meantime, mix together some mustard, lemon juice, and herbs in the tin until it's all combined.

Now, slice each chicken breast into three pieces, spoon over those delicious veggies and sauce, and serve it all up nice and hot with a side of green vegetables. Enjoy your tasty meal!


3. Super Quick Raspberry Parfait


This dessert is a breeze to make and can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead.

Here are the ingredients for six small glasses:

• 225g raspberries
• 6 tbsp icing sugar
• 4 tbsp cassis liqueur
• 200g full-fat mascarpone cheese
• 150ml pouring double cream
• Juice of ½ a lemon

Reserve six of the raspberries for decoration and put the remaining fruit in a food processor.

You need to add 3 tbsp of the icing sugar and all the cassis, then blend to a purée and pour through a sieve. Discard the seeds afterward.

Measure the mascarpone into a mixing bowl while gently mixing with an electric whisk to soften the mix, then pour in the double cream, add the remaining icing sugar and whisk again.

Add the lemon juice and half the raspberry purée and fold them together until they are well incorporated. Carefully mix and fold gently in order to keep a smooth cream.

The dessert is served in small glasses, with a layer of raspberry coulis on top and a fresh raspberry to garnish. It's the perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note.


These recipes are all about making the most of simple ingredients and using clever shortcuts to create dishes that are both easy to make and impressive to look at.

So, the next time you're hosting a dinner party, why not give these recipes a try?

Your guests will be amazed at your culinary prowess, and you'll be able to enjoy the evening without spending all your time in the kitchen.

Remember, the secret to a successful dinner party isn't just about the food—it's about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, engaging conversation, and most importantly, enjoying the company of your guests.

So, relax, have fun, and let your culinary creations shine!


Have you tried any of these recipes, or do you have any other quick and impressive dinner party dishes to share? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.