What would you cook for a group of 8?

[TheChosenTwo]

Got my book group coming round next week and I usually order a takeaway but have time on Friday so will cook instead.
2 courses (main and pudding which will be a cake of some kind), I’m not bothered about the courses ‘going’ with each other and neither will they.
Just looking for some ideas - requirements are that it must be suitable to tinker for one pescatarian, (7 eat meat), one doesn’t eat potatoes, I don’t eat fruit with my mains (so nothing with apricots or the like!). Must be something I can prepare in advance as I don’t want to be faffing about in the kitchen when everyone arrives, it’s not a formal affair, it’s more about us all catching up and I don’t want to waste time in the kitchen.
I have a well stocked kitchen and can follow recipes but am not an overly adventurous/spontaneous cook. I’m competent but lack the fancy skills.

A veggie or prawn curry with rice, ready made poppadoms and breads. Chutneys on the side. Home-made or shop bought meringues with cream and poached fruit/ fruit compote or fresh fruit.

I'd be inclined to do a large vegetarian lasagne (plus a dressed green salad, some olives, garlic bread etc). Or a mezze type meal of items you can prepare and/or buy beforehand (some salads, roasted veg, dips, courgette fritters, flatbreads etc)- maybe with a centerpiece like spanakopita, if that would make it easier to pull together enough food for 8 people.

Brazilian fish stew and crusty bread. This hwww.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.feastingathome.com/brazilian-fish-stew-aka-moqueca/&ved=2ahUKEwir8ejbjOyLAxUcVkEAHdQCDiUQFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Y0EG3SWrL7izpDT88G7e7 or a similar version. You can make the tomato base ahead of time and then just add the fish once everyone's arrived.

Lemon stuff (as we call it) for pudding. Similar to this .https://theeverydaymagazine.co.uk/food-1/lemon-crunch-pie-recipe BUT my recipe uses 150ml lemon juice and zest 2 or 3 lemons...makes it super lemony.

A big veggie lasagne with bread and a couple of salads - a green one, and then tomatoes/bit of red onion/basil. Chocolate brownies and ice cream.

I’d do 2-3 different curries. Maybe a meaty one, one paneer based and one chickpea or lentil. Then rice and whatever veg/side dishes you like. Can all be done ahead and reheated.

Delia’s roast veg lasagne

I'd do a veggie chilli/curry that I could put in the slow cooker before hand. Serve with Nann/rice. Could even do one veggie/one meat
That or a nice dhal

I always like something I can plonk on the table and people help themselves.

-Fajita wraps or tacos. I'd do a chicken and separate prawn dish main with a tin of tomatoes and packet of fajita or taco mix- can be made a day ahead. Onions/peppers/tomatoes cooked down in the fajita mix. Refried beans, tomato, lettuce, jalapenos, grated cheese and guacamole all on separate plates. Everyone helps themselves to the bits they eat.

I wouldn't do a vegetarian main when everyone eats meat. Go with a fish dish or meat with a fish version on the side.

I think the prawn curry idea is a good one with sides

I’d do a risotto, probably a mushroom one as everyone can eat that so you don’t need to make separate meals.

I think curry is a really good idea, will make sure everyone eats prawns first!
Lasagne fills me with boredom for a regular Tuesday night dinner let alone for a group gathering; sorry to those who suggested it - I know it’s an easy one to prepare ahead of time and be able to serve without any faff so it does fit the brief other than the fact that it’s a boring midweek dinner for me (dh cooks so at least I’m spared the faff of making all the different components 😂).

I'd go for Indian/Sri Lankan - one meat, one veg/dairy, one vegan.

A pescatarian eats fish, yes, but they don't HAVE to and fish/seafood-centred curries are not to everybody's tastes and can be expensive. A pescie can eat both the veggie and vegan options.

Pad it out with rice, breads, sides etc and you're good.

Pulled pork with homemade coleslaw. Bung it in the slow cooker and buy some brioche baps. They can build their own.

I can do a prawn curry and a meat based one with some veg sides, breads and rice.
I usually order a curry in when we have it here and everyone eats and enjoys so I know it’s largely a safe bet!

Mattar paneer is a lovely side to a curry. Easy to make and veggie. Nigella's recipes decent, although I tend to up the spices.

Jambalaya made with prawns. Fry up some chorizo separately and add to the meat eater's plates. Garlic bread or homemade cornbread to go with it.

Veg curry or veg lasagne

What's the person who eats fish (not meat) going to eat?

Or fish pie (for everybody)

Big luxury fish pie, side of carrots, green veg and some crusty bread.

You can't make a good risotto 'in advance'

Mary Berry's fish pie. Do a separate serving of pie insides without the potato topping for the non potato person.

Things like curry and veg lasagne make me feel glum! At least no one has suggested dahl ....

Then a lemon tart ( you could buy in) for pudding or one of those orange/ honey soaked cakes they serve in greece/italy.

Another vote for lasagne.lots of salads and garlic bread.
Pud I would make a brownie served with ice cream or a decent cheesecake.

You said it's for next week and these items freeze well.

I always do cold cuts, cheeses, lots of nice salads, home made coleslaw, fancy bread. I never want to stress about what people like/ don't like and that way everyone is happy .