More special than usual family meal without being too fancy / time consuming

[OMGitsnotgood]

If you wanted to make a special adults only family meal, that wasn’t your usual roast dinner/spag bol/chilli/lasagne etc - what would you make? Not a complicated dinner party dish but more interesting than the usual. No dietary restrictions

Jacket potato buffet

A lovely idea @sickseven,thank you

How about paella? Served in a traditional pan.

Raclette. If you haven't heard of it, it's a Swiss cheese. Deliciously melted on a little grill you can buy. Poured over potatoes. Served with pickled onions and gerkins. It's a great party food! You can get the cheese in Waitrose or m&s. The grill, probably amazon or similar.

"Served over hot boiled or jacket potatoes, accompanied by cornichons (gherkins), pickled silverskin onions, charcuterie (like cured ham or Grisons beef), and a dry white wine such as Fendant or Chasselas". From Google. My DH has steak with his, and I have ham. But you can do what you like. The best bit is the gorgeous cheese on the potatoes!

Raclette or fondue. I know what you mean- something that you sit around for longer without loads of prep.

Taco night- fun sides and salads you can prepare in advance but actual main part fairly simple (plus- margaritas!!)

I think it was a joke 😅

Beef bourguignon - you need a couple of hours for it to cook, but it's not difficult or time consuming to prepare. Serve with frozen mash (no one will know). I like Ina Garten's approach where she says you don't have to do everything when cooking for people and it's fine to buy things ready made.

This is a lovely special meal that’s dead easy https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/braised-beef-onepot
ive done this on its own with rice and as part of a Chinese style banquet with salt and pepper chicken https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/salt-pepper-chicken shop bought spring rolls (Itsu ones are lovely), noodles and rice with prawn crackers and hoisin.

edited to add- I do the beef in the slow cooker and prep ahead of time.

Pork and chorizo casserole, roast carrots, outrageous mash potatoes

Or salmon en croute from Aldi with veg

It’s for a family get together the day before a funeral. I think this could work quite well

It wasn’t a joke. It’s quick, easy, everyone will like something and not much washing up after!

I thought it sounded like a great suggestion. Everyone gets a potato and you choose from a buffet of fillings is what I was thinking. Beans, cheese, chili, coleslaw whatever takes your fancy.

Bbq pulled pork done in the slow cooker or oven for hours is lovely, you can do jackets, wedges, coleslaw or serve with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans

I love the idea of a baked potato buffet! Loads of simple options with plenty of choice to suit everyone (veggie/vegan too!)