What would you cook tonight to feed 8 people?

[Tygertiger]

Hosting a gathering for 8 and I’m bored of cooking chilli which is my usual go-to. What would you do that’s (relatively) easy and tasty for a group? I’m good at cooking and I enjoy it, I’m just lacking inspiration!

Curry and rice
naan bread - easy to make or buy it
dips etc

Beef lasagne and salad.

blooming heck you’re a last minute kind of person!

I was going to say spaghetti Bolognese but that's too similar to chilli 🤣

Depends on who it's for tbh. A roast dinner?

Pulled pork rolls. Meat done in the slow cooker with stuffing/apple sauce

Some kind of wedges/chips to go alongside?

Seriously, why post this? Either be helpful or scroll on by. You have no idea what is going on in other people’s lives and why I’m on the last minute 🙄

If they all eat meat and it’s informal pulled pork or brisket with sides. (You’ll have to get to the shop now though so it can go in the slow cooker)

If it’s more of a sit down job, or you have to cater for different requirements, I’d do curry (probably a couple of choices), and all the sides.

Thanks, it’s extended family. I always find a roast to be harder work with the various components so I think I’m going for something I can put in a pan and leave to simmer - maybe a curry.

I'd go for a curry. A Thai one wouldn't need as much time investing in it as an Indian curry and you could get some sides like spring rolls, satay chicken skewers etc from the shops if you didn't want to cook everything from scratch. Some coconut rice - delicious! Recipe Tin Eats website has a few great curry recipes which are worth a look.

Jacket potatoes with a huge salad and variety of fillings, tuna mayo, beans, cheese, bacon.

Simple, healthy and filling.

This is where I’m leaning, thank you!

If it doesn’t have to be fancy, honey mustard chicken on buttery mash with steamed beans and broccoli.

Chicken Riesling

Pibil pork or birria beef in slow cooker with tacos, pico de gallo, avocado crema etc... tequila cocktails!

Chicken fajitas. I cook it in the oven if I'm having people over for dinner.

Ah see I'd want a selection of curries and sides, so wouldn't do this unless I had buckets of time!

Or moussaka with lots of bits like spinakopita, greek salad, dips, pita etc

I have just seen a recipe for a halloumi and butternut squash orzo bake that looked good. Roast the veg to half way, add pesto, stock, orzo and cherry tomatoes, cook for another 15 minutes and add cooked halloumi in before serving. Do a side salad to go with.

Or something like fajitas, big bowl of the filling on the table, with sour cream guac, chilli sauce and everyone builds their own?

I have done paneer kebabs before and they went down a storm.

Google Louise’s Summer Chicken, it’s a recipe in a village fete type thing. Curried chicken that can be slow cooked in the oven. I like it with baby potatoes and green beans although the recipes suggests tagliatelle. It’s delicious and I’ve cooked it for loads of different people who have all enjoyed it.

Thanks all, some great ideas here!

Ah, sorry, missed your latest update.

Rick stein has a makawhala recipe that is amazing. His is veggie, I think, but I often make the sauce and add whatever we want in. Paneer is the go to in our house. If you have an airfryer, you just put the cubes of paneer jn and shake them every 5 minutes until they're done!

You've loads of time Op!
This lady has really easy curry recipes

https://authenticpunjabee.com/

Quick, simple and tasty one is chicken curry and rice, option to buy some sides or make. What ever suits you. Enjoy your evening
*
Ingredients – Feeds 6*
Prep time 15 mins – cooking time 40 mins
Rice
2 cups of rice – wash and soak in warm water
4 cups of boiled water (use the same cups you measured the rice with)
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
3 green cardamom
Chicken
3 large chicken fillets washed and cubed (don’t cut them too small)
1 tablespoon oil/ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seedss_
2 medium onions finely diced
Garlic and ginger paste – 5 garlic cloves and 2 inch piece of ginger
1 teaspoon of turmericc_
4 green chillies finely minced
400g tin of plum tomatoes – blended well
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masalaa_

Method
1 Heat the oil in a pan, adding the cumin seeds once its warmed up
2 Add the onions as soon as the cumin seeds start sizzling
3 Fry the onions until they take on a golden colour
4 Add the garlic and ginger paste and stir fry it quickly, add a little water to the pan if the mixture starts to stick to the base
5 Stir in the turmeric and then add the tomatoes and chillies
6 Cook the mixture until the tomatoes are completely cooked down, there is no water edge and the oil has come to the surface
7 Add the chicken pieces – stirring them in to the mixture slowly ensuring they are completely covered
8 Cover the pan and cook on a low heat for 20-25 minutes – stirring occasionally
9 After 25 minutes add the garam masala, stir well, then add a pint of boiled water
10 Cover and cook on a high heat for another 8-10 minutes
Rice
1 Heat the oil in a heavy based pan and add the cumin seeds and bay leaves
2 When the seeds start popping drain the rice and add to the pan, turn the heat low
3 Add the salt and cardamom, stir carefully, do not be too heavy handed as you want to avoid breaking the grains
4 Once the grains are covered in the oil mix add the water and turning the heat up bring to a rolling boil
5 Then cover, turn the heat really low and leave it alone for minimum 15 minutes – do not stir
6 Remove the lid and give it a light stir – your spices should have risen to the top and the rice should have soaked up all the water.
7 Fluff the rice using a fork and serve with the chicken, papad and salad

This looks just the thing - thank you!!

Big dish of fajitas, wraps, various dips etc, cheese .

This is a firm favourite here - all done in one pot -https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a43011541/one-pan-lemon-chicken-and-orzo-recipe/