Menu inspiration please

[Brunelofbrio]

I’m having friends over for a pre Christmas lunch this weekend. I’m well known for being a keen cook and they are expecting something good. However I’ve just finished a manic week at work and have no inspiration at all. Trying to get beyond a roast or a casserole? Budget is ok but I can’t afford scallops and rib of beef…

3 course meal- no special dietary requirements and there will be about 8 of us (& a few kids)

what can you recommend?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/creamychickennhamandd03877

This with some honey roasted carrots, tender stem broccoli and little potatoes roasted in garlic.

Starter - baked cheesy garlic mushrooms
Pudding - hot mince pies with thick brandy butter or cream

Or insalata caprese, seafood linguine and ice cream sundaes 😊

Big lasagne with a fancy salad and homemade garlic bread

Hog roast with stuffing, crackling and apple sauce served in warm brioche rolls with sides of garlic and herb wedges and some green veggies

Peri peri spatchcock chicken with Nando's style sides like garlic bread, nacho peas, spicy rice, salad and coleslaw

Tartiflette served with green salad and crusty bread.

For 3 courses - I don't really do starters but maybe a couple of types of pate with some crusty bread and nice butter.

Dessert - I'm not a dessert fan but if hosting I would do a dark chocolate and orange cheesecake and some sort of cake, maybe carrot or coffee with a fancy liquor cream.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/09/meera-sodha-recipe-tomato-pistachio-saffron-tart-vegan Not difficult, doesn't take ages to make, looks good, tastes great. Use a mixture of tomatoes if you can get them, but it would be lovely with just red ones.

Slow cooked shoulder of lamb braised in red wine with garlic and onions, maybe with beans or lentils, basmati rice or potatoes, some sort of green vegetable - purple sprouting broccoli would be good, and/or spinach, maybe rainbow carrots roasted in the oven.

Apple crumble, custard, cream and ice cream.

Personally I think a roast or a casserole is perfect.

I’d either do game casserole or roast ham - very good value. Nigella has a good recipe here I’d serve with pommes dauphinois or roast potatoes, roast parsnips and Brussels.

To start I’d do gravadlax and quail’s eggs. For pudding - Christmas trifle or a Christmas pavlova with spiced plums or spiced pears with chocolate sauce and sprinkled nuts.