What to cook for guests between now and New Year?

[magicreality]

We've got a couple of sets of friends (with smallish children) coming for lunch between now and New Year. Want to make a bit of an effort, but conscious that we will all have overeaten over Christmas, so nothing too heavy. But don't want to go too basic (e.g. soup, bread, cheese (which is what we would be eating without guests) either. Roasts and anything turkey related definitely out! Any ideas? Will be cooking for 8 on both occasions.

Nice salmon or ham could be good. Could do with a range of salads or jackets or something. Nigella ham in coca cola is always popular.

Fajitas or tacos can be a good one too and fun - can do in two pans - spicy and not if catering for different tastes.

We've got guests for the next 3 days and im doing:
Lunch: quiche, salad, hummous, crudités, cheeseboard
Dinner: salmon en croute, new potatoes, green beans in lemon dressing and steamed broccoli with parmesan
Dessert: apple crumble

Lunch: spiced winter veg soup, bread rolls and cheeseboard
Dinner: roast ham with honey and mustard glaze, roast new potatoes, hm coleslaw plus w few picky bits like samosas etc
Dessert: pavlova topped with berries, kiwi fruit and pomegranate seeds
Lunch: leftovers or eat out
Dinner: lasagne, garlic bread and salad
Dessert: warm Mince pies and cream or coffee and chocolates

Just realised today a bit pastry heavy. Oh well too late now.

Acunningruse that sounds like a great menu ... got room at the table for more?

I was going to suggest quiche (watercress and goats cheese being served up here today) as a reasonable lunch time option with crusty bread and salad on the side.

Dinner is a creamy smoked salmon, pea and dill pasta sauce - it's quite light and easy to do.

I'm doing Mexican this afternoon, left over meat + bean chilli from the freezer, salad, homemade salsa, avocados, cheese, wraps & big tray of Nacho's + lots of hot sauce.

I personally can't face eating anymore meat, its also quite small person friendly.

Great ideas here - thanks! We did Nigella's ham in coke before Christmas (and very tasty it was too), but I'm liking the idea of some sort of baked salmon. And then maybe a quiche and nice salads for our other guests. Sorted

We're doing turkey fajitas tonight for ourselves - so got the Mexican front covered!