What would you serve friends for lunch?

[pongonperdy]

Recently went for lunch with some friends and they made us sandwiches. Not wanting to be judgemental but would have expected a bit more. They are now coming for the day and I don't know what to make for lunch. Would feel a bit mean serving sandwiches but I don't want to offend them.

Any ideas for simple but interesting lunches?

Soup and bread = lovely, especialy if followed by crumble and custard!

Or a big homemade quiche with roasted garlic new potatoes and salad. icecream and berries for pud.

Or a big baked camembert, with nice bread, olives, radishes, celery, crackers, other cheeses, grapes etc. Followed by chocolate cake.

I haven't tried it yet - but I picked up a jar from M&S which was garlic and lemon tray bake stuff.

You could just pop chunks of chicken, veggies, potatoes (par boiled maybe), into a tray and tip in this jar - it looks yummy - may try it myself this weekend.

Getorf - what's your curry recipe??

I would get a big slab of pork belly and roast it. Then all you need is some rocket, good brown bread / rolls, and some decent apple sauce. Everyone can make their own sandwiches. Delicious.

Another vote here for home made soup, made in a big vat with roasted veggies and home made stock. Lush. Serve either with home made bread or home made cheese scones.

Like the idea of the mixed salads, that's what we do when we have friends/family over - hummus,cheese, bread, salads, and I bung a big tray of chicken portions in to the oven with garlic, lemon, olive oil and herbs, bake them and ideal for meat eaters, wiht no hassle.

Don't forget a really nice pudding afterwards - you can't beat a good Victoria sponge, or how about a crumble, or a batch of muffins, or fairy cakes, or brownies, or a tray of rocky road? Home made ice-cream? We do a similar one which is honey semifreddo - has to be made in advance, then just take out and slice. Baked apples and cream? Enjoy.

I guess seeing as its Sunday then I'd do a very simple roast chicken and shove some new potatoes round the outside in the same pan to roast with it - maybe some rosemary, lemon and whole garlic cloves in their skins in the bottom of the pan too.

And then just a big salad. Maybe crusty bread. Maybe some homemade BBQ sauce to go on the side (do that day or so before - recipe I use is 30min).

Got the treat and Sunday factor of a roast but without the faff. And just 1 pot (and your salad bowl to clean).

But equally I'd be happy with soup, quiche or whatever. Lasagna's nice too - can be made day before too.

YES I KNOW I'M RESURECTING A ZOMBIE THREAD... but I couldn't find a recent one, what do you make for an invited friend for lunch?? I usually make a sandwich, or beans n toast, baked potato.... I feel a bit stupid cos I've friend coming for lunch and I've no idea what to make.....any ideas ??

I feel by serving sandwichescwould definitely,be WRONG! It would almost seem as,if a payback to me. On my other thought can't we call just be thankfully we have friends to dine with?

Totally depends on situation. If it's a weekday lunch I would do something fairly snacky.
Quiche and salad
French stick, cheese, ham, pickles, salad, coleslaw etc
Fritata
Pittas with falafel, houmous, crudités
Home made sausage rolls with salads
Maybe a home made pizza but just expecting people to have a slice with salads bits not like a big meal.
Or pinwheel wraps, crudités, crisps etc
If I did sandwiches I'd go dainty, crusts off, slightly fancier fillings.

However if it's a Sunday I'd do a roast or BBQ
Saturday would depend on how long friends are there and whether we were rushing out after to something else!