Need semi-impressive meal that fussy-arse children will eat

[BiscuitDrama]

Have friends coming over and I’m happy to make a bit of an effort, but need to include my children too.
I’m feeling a bit stuck.
Should exclude anything too spicy. And anything very stereotypically adult.

Anyone think of anything? Google isn’t helping...

I do a chilli with lots of sides: corn, bread, rice, cheese, salad, tortilla chips etc. so everyone can just help themselves to what they like.

Roast chicken and dauphinois.

Nigella’s garlic and lemon chicken with roasted new potatoes and salad.

Chicken breasts stuffed with mascarpone and pesto & wrapped in Parma ham, with rosemary sauté potatoes and green veg.

I have a similar looming dilemma. Am wondering about meatballs with salad and garlic bread, or possibly quiche, baked ham, salad and bread. Roast chicken also on the list but one child doesn’t like it, so that would mean a separate meal for her.

Chinese could be good as doesn’t need to be spicy. Shredded duck (or chicken) pancakes are a big hit for kids and adults. Egg fried rice and seaweed are child friendly. You could do a stir fry and adults could add chilli sauce if they like.

Pulled pork burgers, with sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, chips?

Fajitas but use a bbq rub instead of spicy. You could have a bowl of the chicken mix with peppers, lettuce, a tomato salsa, avocado guacamole, cheese grated, sour cream, fresh chilli (for adult guests), refried beans

It's pretty easy to prepare for a lot of people. And everyone can help them self?

Oh I want to cook all of these ideas! Thank you!

Lamb Navarin, doesn't take long to cook, not spicy at all, you could cook the new potatoes with the lamb or separately.
Serve with asparagus vinaigrette as a starter for a lovely early summer meal.

Sorry meant to say, you can make your own salsa and guacamole really easily: tomatoes, red onion chopped finely, coriander, salt, pepper, lime juice and guacamole I just add some garlic , olive oil and seasoning to avocado and garnish with chilli and coriander. I don't think they are very authentic but tasty, easy and cheap to make.

Go retro & do coq au vin. The first part of the cooking is just roast chicken portions so at that point just take some out for the DC & keep warm, while continue cooking rest in sauce. It's so easy to cook DS has learnt it as first proper meat dish.

I'd do what redbedheaad suggested but also provide some completely plain chicken, cucumber, grated carrot. I would let everyone assemble their own choice of wraps, they are nice if warmed a little first. Also a big dish of tortilla chips, the plain salted ones. That way everyone has a choice and can make their wraps as plain or spicy as they like.

Fajitas / tacos
Baked side of salmon with risotto
Stuffed chicken thighs wrapped with parma ham/bacon

Just do normal food.

Make a pasta bake, and have salad.

Make a casserole, with green eggs and mash

Fajitas as pp mentioned

Bolognese

Sausage and mash!

Depends on how many friends and how much effort you want to put in 8 or less and a lot of effort you could go roast dinner always a winner with everyone but it certainly takes effort. Another option is a buffet style affair big bowl of tuna pasta salad, big bowl of cheese and ham potatos, garlic bread, bowl of salad and then other favourite buffet items, everyone helps themselves.

I'd definitely go buffet style. You can do some really nice tapas dishes that would suit adult tastes, and some more kid friendly ones like doughballs, meatballs etc and a pile of crudites. Covers all bases!

Fajitas and or tacos are my go-to, because as you build your own, fussy kids can literally just have plain chicken (or whatever) in a wrap, and others can pile high the guacamole, salsa, etc.

I also love the Nigella tray bake with chorizo, chicken, orange and potato - I slip a separate tray in with just the chicken, olive oil, pots and a bit of seasoning for DCs (mine can't deal with anything spicy). A sophis salad on the side of that is a great meal.

Lasagne & garlic bread?

Something that always seems a hit and fun is create your own pizzas. Obviously numbers and oven size are limiting factors but there is minimal effort on your part.

BBQ if the weather's good. Marinating meats and making fresh relishes is what really brings this up a notch.

beef stew with dumplings
chicken nd veggie stew with dumplings
currys with popadoms nanan and all the pickles etc
lasagne and garlic bread.
chicken thighs and bacon into onion and garlic.with a white wine,stock and creme fraiche sauce some pearl barley or rice(optional) with added peas at the end.
fajtias can make it non spicy.

Depends what sort of fussy-arse your DCs are. One of mine doesn't eat potatoes at all and won't touch roast dinner / tray bake type meals.

We'd go for tacos, fajitas or chilli with guacamole, salsa, grated cheese etc. Or a tapas selection.

Our other go-to meals that everyone will eat are meatballs baked in a tomato sauce served with pasta and green veg or salad or a slow roasted leg of lamb marinated in herbs and served pulled with flatbreads, tzatziki, hummus, baba ganoush, salad.

My DD is very fussy but she loves a Nando's style buffet spread. Marinaded spatchcock roast chicken, warm crusty bread, salad, mashed avocado with lemon, salt and chilli, mini baked potatoes, garden peas topped with a knob of butter and fresh mint.