To ask what you'd cook for 6 adults, 3 children, 2 babies

[ktmummy1]

Having a dinner party at our house in Saturday. There will be 6 adults, 3 children and two babies. I've cooked lasagne, roast and had buffet for them in the past. I'm looking for more ideas, preferably something easy that can be cooked earlier in the day to save cooking whilst they're here! Can anyone help? Thank you x

OK no fish. How about a baked ham either with apricots or parsley sauce, crunchiest potatoes and summery greens and chantenay carrots. Veg can be done in advance and micro blasted.

Justeat.com

You're welcome

Fajitas? People can then diy and put in what they like

I should have mentioned I'm a rubbish cook. Fajitas may be too spicy for the younger children? I'm liking the idea of something simple eg cottage pie, goulash...anyone have a child friendly goulash recipe please? X

HighwayDragon I have a feeling you're joking but we often have friends round for chippy tea

From scratch spaghetti carbonara (with homemade pasta if you can!), served with hm garlic bread and green salad. Big fresh fruit platter for dessert.

Homemade pizzas. Very easy dough. Cut up lots of toppings and everyone tops their own. Kids and adults love it. Can have a nice salad on side too.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/tagine Tagine with cous cous ?
Can be made suitable for children and cous cous is super easy

I've got a similar situation tomorrow and have made s ginormous Shepherd's Pie and a smaller veggie one for me.

Tuna wraps are easy and can be made ahead. You can add vegetable strips or sweetcorns,tomatoes,cucumber. Drizzle with some sauce and wrap up

Starter- beef tomatoes with mozzarella and basil.

Main, spaghetti bolognaise with baguettes.

Pudding if necessary- fresh berries with meringues and ice cream, or lemon meringue pie,

Canadian cottage pie - minced beef with sautéed onions and lots of paprika, followed by a layer of tinned sweet corn, topped with mashed potatoes. The ultimate cheat meal - I use frozen diced onions and ready made microwaveable mash. Sprinkle more paprika on the mash, bung in oven and it will get a beautiful golden crust. Serve with lashings of ketchup. My kids' favourite (and DH too, the philistine).

Chilli n rice, very mild chilli with some cooked fresh chillies/chilli flakes on the side for those who like burn. Garlic bread/grated cheese/taco shells on the side as required. Ice cream and a choice of strawberry or chocolate sauce for afters.

Hungarian Goulash - I made this on Saturday. Cooked it 2 days before as per instructions and just heated it for 20 mins on the hob before serving. It was very easy and lots of compliments - www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/h/hungarian_beef_goulash.html

I wouldn't say it was very spicy so should be fine for DCs.
Served it with hasselback potatoes and green beans/carrots.

I can also recommend Nigella's Salted Chocolate Tart which has to be made the day before which was amazing (but very sickly). Nigella's cookie dough pots also went down well, as did the Turkish Delight Syllabub (with half the quantity of lemon) and the Mini Pavlovas - I made way too many got a bit carried away with desserts.

Meatballs (easy to make in advance) in a garlic & tomato sauce with lots of mozzarella cheese.

DIY pizza - make the dough the day before then spread tomato sauce, herbs etc on the top, have bowls of toppings and serve with garlic bread, lots of salads and coleslaw.

Slow cooked lamb shanks with veges etc all in the slow cooker, serve with roast potatoes.

Pulled pork sliders - large pork shoulder joint in slow cooker with a cup of bbq sauce and a can of full fat coke; cook on low for 10-12h then shred meat with an electric whisk on slow, serve with rolls and coleslaw and salads (I love this one).

Barbecue! Sausages, burgers, steaks, kebabs etc with crusty breads and salads (I love this one too).

Fajitas can be spicy or plain, if you provide both types of chicken, some with spice and some without, and all the other ingredients I suggested, everyone just rolls their own according to their tastes. Its easy peasy and yummy! (i don't do complicated cooking!)

Pulled pork with hand cut coleslaw, cherry tomatoes, corn on the cob, wraps, salads.

Potato gratin and sausages. Veg and crusty bread.

I had 5 adults, 6 kids and 2 babies the other weekend.

I did everyone a jacket potato (1/2 for the babies) and then did
veggie curry,
tuna mayo,
cheese,
beans,
cheese, onion and salad cream (mainly for me!)
salad and bread.

It went really well actually and was really easy,.

Maqluba. One pot, easy and bloody lovely. I use Ottolenghi's recipe (and use a meat substitute to make it vegetarian).