Casual meal in the garden

[Notabove25]

I really hope I'm not getting ahead of myself but it looks like we might be able to have a handful of friends in the garden at the end of the month.

On Friday evenings, during this lockdown, I've been running with a male friend, which has been an absolute godsend to me for a variety of reasons.

Frankly the only things we have in common are running and enjoying the odd glass of real ale, although he's easy company. We've been saying, as soon as we're able we'll share a pint or two in the garden after our run.

From 29 March, we should be able to ask 4 others to join us. After a run and with beer, I'm going to need food, even if the others don't!

What would you serve, that can be left to look after itself while we run? Or, better to order pizza?

Oh, of course it might not be garden weather but we have a canopy for the rain and can find blankets!

End of March? Big pot of chilli con carne - either in the slow cooker or readily microwaved, nachos, cheese.

Butterbean and chorizo stew with jacket potatoes

Jacket potato several types of toppings

Pot of curry
Naan breads

Order the pizza!

Or, maybe a bbq?

Cheese on toast. Prepare before your run.

Some good ideas thank you. I can't put my finger on why, but I don't want to go to too much effort - to look like I've tried.

I really.wont be doing a BBQ, I don't understand BBQs as hassle free cooking. They're more work than the rest of the week's meals combined!

Lasagne.

Make in advance, re-heat when you get back.

One or two small chickens roasting while you’re out (so plenty of leg/breast choice), pre-prepped salad (with cold slaw maybe?), and garlic bread cooked as needed. Easy to add more.
And warmed kettle crisps for nibbles. Simple. Enjoy!

Chicken wings, fries/wedges, salad?

Quick pasta dish with dressed green veg?

Or something cold like a charcuterie board/cheese plate with nice bread?

Make it quick to prepare, snacky and serve it casually. Doesn't look like you've tried too hard that way.

I discovered a setting on my oven that switches it on and off at a particular time, so I could set jacket potatoes doing on that.

I'd probably do them with either ratatouille (and sausages maybe but they might have to be cooked in advance?), or chilli or some other sort of slow cooker food so I could just take it all out when we got home.

Will people need to shower and change I'd you've been for a run? I would get really cold even if the weather was reasonably decent if I had been sweating for a run and then sat outside in my exercise gear.

A hearty soup maybe, minestrone with plenty of pasta, beans and veg, some good bread too?

Oldieandgoldie warmed kettle crisps??? Tell me more! Sorry for derailing...

Something hot, a big pot of cassoulet made with a couple of different types of sausages and some diced pork. Serve with plenty of baguette.
To be authentic it should include confit of duck leg too, but for a casual garden meal with a few pints the duck can be left out I think.
You could add duck leg confit to any leftovers and reheat the next day for a family meal.

Get a rotisserie chicken, some good French bread, a couple of salads ...

Fajitas, lots of picky bits so people can make their own. Pre make the stuff that goes in the middle, reheat after run, then add guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and few melted cheese nachos too.