Here's the scenario. What would you cook?

[NomiMalone]

Couple with toddler (good eater) coming for informal lunch this weekend. I will be working on a project with the female half of couple upstairs so will be hands off in the kitchen.

What could a) I make that morning and shove in oven or b) DP cook by himself (he gets a bit flappy in the kitchen and last time used an entire jar of tamarind in a recipe that needed a spoonful rendering it inedible).

Ideally something that toddler and our 6 year old will eat too.

No dietary requirements

What would you make in this scenario?

Something simple like slow cooker spag bol, then it can be chuntering away all morning and will be ready whenever you feel like eating. (or in the oven on low if no show cooker) Some pasta will take 11 mins to cook, about the same as ready made garlic bread. A couple of bags of salad and some tomatoes.

That sounds ideal Not but we've made Lasagne the last two times they've come over so was trying to get away from mince in tomato sauce .

Sorry should have said that in my OP.

Lasagne + salad + garlic bread

Whoops cross post and will have to think of something else!!

I would make lasagne or a pasta bake. Jamie Oliver has a good recipe here.

Ah was going to say lasagne. How about a slow cook mild curry with rice and naan breads. If toddler hates the curry could have the rice and bread. Or some sort of pasta bake maybe tuna and sweet corn, or a fish pie?

Roast chicken with salad and garlic bread. Steer clear of a full on roast though.

Roast chicken (cold), nice bread and potato salad coleslaw and salad. Could roast the chicken in the morning then pop on big plates for everyone to help themselves. Maybe a few oven chips if you want something hot

Cross post for me too. Argh!

Cheesy fish pie? Shepherd's pie? A quiche?

How about a beef and ale casserole and leek mash? Both can be prepared ahead and reheated. Can post recipes if you like.

Or a super easy lemon roast chicken with roasted new potatoes or salad? Can also give you a recipe for easy peasy lemon roast chicken!

I'd make a nice quiche the day before and some salads and coleslaw.

Thanks all! Great suggestions.

Quiche is a no. None of us are quiche people and we'd need about 3 to feed everyone!

Loving the lemon roast chicken idea. A recipe would be great thank you! I could roast a tray of new potatoes with garlic at the same time and then serve coleslaw, salad etc.

Potato gratin - assemble and just pop in oven
Chicken with cardamon and yoghurt - marinade day before, pop in oven to cook - I leave out the cayenne if I don't want spicy and it still works well _ its further down this article
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/mar/30/foodanddrink.shopping2
www.nigella.com/recipes/view/creamy-potato-gratin-2567

This tray bake (chicken, sausage, lemon, herb) is lovely www.foodgloriousfoodx.co.uk/2012/10/italian-traybake-from-nigellissimsa.html?m=1 and you could prep in advance then just get someone to pop in oven

Bung a gammon in the slow cooker. Potato wedges and salad.

Really recommend Summer in Winter Chicken from BBC Good Food. This is my top choice for serving nice food to visitors fast:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1521/summerinwinter-chicken

It is so easy peasy, can be rustled up with and served in the time it takes to cook the rice and you can do a side salad at the same time. And it tastes sumptuous. Especially good if made with fresh homemade pesto (or at least v good quality bought one).

I make this regularly for guests, it only needs bunging in the oven and I usually cook a tray of new potatoes to go with it and serve it with salad and bread.

This is amazing. Really quick and easy to prepare and as with other suggestions above, only needs new potatoes (which can also be done in the oven) and some veg with it.

If fish eaters pre make a fish pie?

Delia's chicken basque
Fabulous, make in advance recipe

Lancashire hotpot has got everything in it and is fashionably Olde Brittishe.

Cooking anything in cast iron will keep it hot for ages.

Chicken pie and mash. Can be done in advance.

Roasted Lemon Chicken

Cut 2 lemons into quarters and squeeze juice over the chicken
Put a few squeezed out lemon quarters inside chicken and put the rest in the tin around the chicken.
Put blobs of butter (50g in total) all over chicken and season generously with salt and paper.
Pour 1cm water into the tin.
Put in oven at around 180C for around an hour and a quarter (depending on size). Baste with juices after 30 mins.
Once cooked – cover with foil and rest for 30 mins (while you finish off the potatoes!).

Roasted New Potatoes (Prepare Ahead)

Toss halved new potatoes with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper. Roast at 180C for 30 mins (turning halfway).
[Remove from oven and keep covered until you are ready to finish them off]
Sprinkle with sliced onions and shove back in the oven for 20-30mins until cooked.

Enjoy!

Forgot to say that the Lemon Chicken makes the most delicious lemony chicken sauce. Definitely pour over chicken when serving!