Ideas please - chilled lunch with friends

[foodiemama26]

Looking to make a late lunch for a group of 12 adults and 4 children (ages 1-3). I'm out all morning (I will have about 45 mins spare if needed) so ideally I want something I can prep the day before. I usually do something like pulled pork, crusty rolls, salad etc. but feel like it's getting a bit predictable! Any suggestions? Fairly confident cook, no allergies apart from one child who usually brings a packed lunch anyway.

[Twistmeandturnme]

soup and cheese

spaghetti bolognaise: a real one where you have cooked it for hours the day before, served wit a green salad and herby bread.

Selection of curries with rice, breads.

[KittyLover91]

Lasagna or chilli with garlic bread and salad?

[Ricekrispie22]

Quiche and salad
New York deli style bagels
Sweet chilli chicken tortilla wraps
Flatbread with homemade falafel
Stuffed pita bread
Couscous salad

[foodiemama26]

Some great ideas, thankyou!

[foodiemama26]

I'm going to do a chilli - does anyone have any suggestions for more interesting sides to go with the usual rice?

[starsinyourpies]

There is a great chilli recipe in Thomasina Myers’ book, using stewing beef rather than mince. I do the spring greens with cheese and cream from the same book with it, happy to dig out the recipe!

[starsinyourpies]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/braised-beef-chilli-con-carne/

Delicious and a bit more fancy than the usual chilli.

[Gribbie]

Nachos?

[Lunaballoon]

Sweet corn and avocado salsa (home made guacamole with dry fried frozen or tinned sweetcorn) is a great accompaniment to chilli.

[ginteresting]

Nachos, but ones were you fry normal tortilla wraps cut into large triangles (better for dipping) home made guac and salsa or shop bought and decanted into bowls

[Invisimamma]

Sour cream and guacamole are essential! Grated cheese too and nice pitas or flat bread.

I'd do something else for the kids as well, some will love chilli others won't touch it. Veg sticks and humous with the pita and cheese?

[foodiemama26]

excellent suggestions, thanks all!

[kateandme]

deleted all my suggestions when I see ur doing chillie hehe.not a side but instead of rice we offer doritos!oh yes. a layer of doritos topped with your chilli.add a sprinkling of grated cheese.under the grill or in the mic for cheese to melt.yum!
guacamole
salsa
sour cream dip
pitta bread.wraps.
corn bread
gherkins
coleslaw
corn on the cob
potato salad
cheese dip
refried beans