lunch for 12 just after Christmas..... ideas please

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I am doing lunch for 12 people on the 27th of December. I don't really want to do a buffet and ideally would like to do something I can make ahead and freeze. But what?

I'm working up to and including Chrisa Eve. I could dash to Morrisons on the morning of the 27th for additional things but in reality I'd have to do the main food shopping the weekend before.

I was wondering about something like a venison sausage casserole that I could shove in the freezer and then serve with jacket potatoes. Or make 2 large lasagne and freeze but lasagne isn't very exciting.

We have one oven plus a combi microwave and oven, plus a hob. I can create enough freezer space to freeze ahead but fridge space will be limited.

Any ideas?

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/seafood-recipes/luxurious-fish-pie/
This is really good, without the lobster it's still brilliant and less effort

Another vote for slow cooked gammon in coke.(nigella)
Can be served with baked potatoes and coleslaw (Jamie has a nice winter coleslaw)

Bear in mind that depending on where they are from, it’s very likely they will have had pork/ham for Christmas dinner.

I can check with DS' girlfriend as to what they are likely to eat on Christmas day. I did wonder if they will have gammon.

I've done this after Christmas for a crowd. I didn't have fresh lettuce so used up the green veg left in the fridge and freezer, e.g. peas, leeks. The salmon can be frozen and defrosted to cook on the day and the new pots can be kept in the cupboard. I also served with some swedish pickled gherkhin. Only the yoghurt would need the fridge and dill keeps well in its packet in the fridge The dressing can be served on the side if you don't want to toss the new potatoes in it.

Unless you are an exceptionally good cook with Scandinavian heritage, I wouldn't attempt anything from that part of the world (e.g. gravadlax).

My lasagne is really, really good (all credit to Delia Smith) so I don't think I would find that a letdown. My mum is generally a good cook but hasn't a clue about lasagne - hers would not be a dish to lift the heart after a long drive on a cold day. Only you know where you fall on the Gasp-GaspMum lasagne scale.

Any mileage in going vegetarian or cooking fish? A lot of people would welcome a change from lots of meat after Christmas. This lovely dish is quite a lot of work in total, but there are various shortcuts (read through the comments). Buy ready-ground spices, ready-shelled pistachios, ready-made hummus, for example (I definitely would). I think the main filling would freeze, or you could make it on 26th if you've got fridge space for it overnight. The filo is ready-made so that just leaves just the assembly for the morning of 27th, and that wouldn't take too long. Then it goes in the oven till needed. I'd strongly recommend it.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/moroccan-spiced-pie

Sorry forgot to posr link to Salmon
www.cbc.ca/life/jamieoliver/recipes/save-with-jamie-mothership-roast-salmon-1.5302752

@SapatSea that looks yummy. I'd have to buy the salmon ahead and freeze though, so I'm not sure it would fit the bill. I'll definitely try that recipe for a dinner party though

In similar circumstances we did two casseroles - with a choice of pasta or crusty bread.