Inspiration needed for a family gathering...

[RomaineCalm]

We have family over next month for lunch and I could do with some inspiration.

I've done the usual 'summer menus' to death - salmon, nice salads, cold meats etc. and (hopefully) it won't be the weather for chillis, curries, lasagnes, tagines etc. that are my 'go to' meals for a crowd.

I don't particularly want to barbecue but the plan is that we will eat outside

We will be 10x adults and 8x children. Nobody is particularly fussy - we all enjoy good food. There will be 1x vegetarian and 1x pescatarian.

I love cooking and happy to spend time preparing/cooking food.

Any ideas and recipes for summer food that's a bit different would be gratefully received.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

Tricky! How about big homemade quiches or puff pastry tarts. Or on a similar line, big flat breads topped with a couple of different things.
I know you said you had done salads etc but I do think outdoor, summer eating lends itself to them. You just need different ones. What have you made in the past?

[MustardScreams]

Slow roasted lamb shoulder - cover it in a paste of preserved lemons, garlic, mint and coriander the night before and then into oven at 170 for 5+ hours, or until the meat is falling off the bone.

Serve with baba ganoush, hummus, flatbreads, salads, could cous etc. It’s my go to summery-not-bbq meal and it always goes down an absolute storm.

[MustardScreams]

You can do interesting roasted vegetables like celeriac steak with the same marinade on for the veggie, and roast some fish for the pescatarian.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Delia's chicken Basque would be lovely so long as you do lots of sides suitable for the veggie/pesce

[caranx]

Fajitas work well for that size crowd and taste summery.

I bbq the meat, but that is not essential. I do tortillas/marinated chopped chicken thighs/red onion/grated cheese/lettuce/peppers/lettuce/salsa/guacamole/sour cream/coriander leaf/chillis/lime

Put all the bits out so people can help themselves so works for veg or fussy. I put the tortillas/meat on one of those warmer things.

[LuannC]

Stirfry. Do a choice of rice and noodles. Stir fry veg. Do meat/ seafood separately so everyone can choose what they want without the cross contamination.
Serve with some shop bought prawn crackers. You could even have a go at making some sesame prawn toast too!

[Ricekrispie22]

Falafel, lamb meatballs, flatbreads, couscous salad, tahini dip, selection of humous and crunchy pickles. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12344/moroccan-lamb-meatballs-with-harissa-and-couscous

[Thrupennybrit]

I saw your title and immediately thought Mexican. Suits all diet types and with lots of dishes suits all tastes. When I last did I provided tortillas, salsa, guac, cheese, lettuce, sour crem, tamales, refried beans, chicken and roastpeppers and onions.

[managedmis]

I reckon quiches are a great idea. Maybe one veggie, one meat?

You could do them with jackets pots and salad, maybe homemade coleslaw? Maybe some baguette if you're in that kind of mood.

I'd do something like strawberry cheesecake for pud. And cheese, of course.

[happyhillock]

Chicken and bacon pasta,
Spag bol with garlic bread
Fish pie cod and haddock with crusty bread
Tuna and pasta bake
Mixture of cold meats, mixed cheese crackers, potato salad, coleslaw, green salad with tomatoes, savoury rice.
Southern fried chicken wraps
Chicken and bacon wraps

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

A couple of big quiches would be great - maybe one meaty one and two veggie ones.

Big fan of new potatoes, roasted with garlic and rosemary.

A couple of salads, plus coleslaw and bread/crisps/olives.

Maybe something else for the children - even just something simple like tiny quiches done in jam tart trays, or some Quorn nuggets or something lazy! Cucumber and carrot sticks etc.

Brownies and ice cream and fruit for pud.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

And meringues and cream and fruit.

[Lunaballoon]

@MustardScreams No wonder your lamb dish goes down a storm - it sounds awesome. I would “bejewel” with pomegranate seeds and artfully strewn herbs for added Nigella style deliciousness 😋

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I meant 'big pan' not 'big fan' of new potatoes btw, but I do think it's pretty awesome too!

[Donthighfiveme]

Paella and crusty bread.

[RomaineCalm]

Thank you so much, I knew I could rely on mn. Some great ideas either for next month or for another time. I'm loving the sound of the slow cooked lamb or Delia's chicken and also doing some quiches/tarts with potatoes and salads.

DS now wants fajitas for dinner tomorrow.