Light Easter Lunch - What would you serve?

[Annasammy]

We have some family coming round, I was thinking cold meats & other nibbles.

Also I never do roast beef so unsure of the protocol, do I buy a cut )(which cut?) of beef and roast it, then cut into slices once cooled?

What would you do as a light lunch for about 10 guests? Its informal

I would do bread, stuffed vine leaves, olives, hummus, sundried tomatoes, a couple of salads. Yum!

If you've never cooked roast beef I probably wouldn't to have it cold. I cook it once a week (slow cooker in gravy).
You might be better with gammon. So easy.

I would have crusty bread.
Cheeses.
Crisps
Fruit platter

Pulled pork and wraps? With coleslaw and grated cheese or some part baked rolls instead of wraps? Jacket potatoes and salad. Chipolatas?

What can/do you normally cook? I wouldn't cook beef just because you think you should
Cold meats and nibbles isn't lunch!!! If you aren't doing a hot meal, which is fine, I'd make a more substantial lunch than sliced meats and nibbles!!!

I assume you can't or don't want to cook a hot roast, so what about quiche, drumsticks, warm salads, boiled potatoes etc as a buffet? Or were you thinking of a sit down meal with just cold meats?

I would do a whole roast or poached salmon, jersey royals - all of which can be served hot, warm or cold

I'd do a buffet, if the weather is warm than a BBQ.

Selection of cold meats, cheeses, breads, crackers, pickles and chutneys.

I'd also put some warm food out, baked baby potatoes, sausages, sausage rolls - all can also be eaten cold. A soup would make it more of a meal, or maybe a chilli.

Salmon and asparagus quiche

Cadbury Crème Eggs on sticks.

Quick and easy to prepare and informal, people can move about and mingle with their 'lunch', and use their stick to emphasise important discussion points.

Also there is no washing up and it has a fantastic Easter theme. The egg symbolising the boulder that sealed the tomb.

Big plus : you won't ever have to do it again.

These are vg recipes from Mary Berry.
www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/potato_salad_with_fresh_94349

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pesto_lemon_chicken_88391

This is good and works with black olives added.
www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/chickpea-tomato-and-red-pepper-salad-avocado-dressing/

I think advice re beef is sensible - I’d think about cold meats - those packs of Parma ham, salami etc which are cheaper at Aldi/Lidl.
Baked potatoes are nice, but those ready to bake rolls or baguettes seem to go down well - quick and easy too. Garlic bread too…whatever is cooked just goes! Same with cooked sausages! 😁

The thing with roast beef is that everyone likes it cooked to a different degree. You could hedge your bets and go for the middle ground and often with larger pieces of meat you can have more well done ends and a rarer middle. But, if you’ve not cooked it in your oven before I probably wouldnt put the pressure on by doing it for guests.
Chicken and gammon or Chicken and salmon may be better calls.

You could also add in a simple puff pastry tart, then I’d add warm buttered new potatoes, a green salad, tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. A home made apple slaw and pickles for the cold meat. Maybe a couple of French sticks too.

I thought lamb was traditional at Easter. If you do not fancy a roast, what about small meatballs made with lamb, a Greek salad, tzatziki, aubergine salad, hummus and flatbreads.
Or go Italian and have polpette with a selection of salads.
Or go French?
However, if I were at home I would probably go down the cold, poached salmon with dill and cucumber salad, minted baby new potatoes and new season asparagus with either a Maltaise sauce or a green, herby mayonnaise.

*route

I wouldn't go for cold roast beef if it's not something you're used to cooking. Pork or lamb shoulder, slow cooked, can work well and are fairly fool-proof, and can be served warm with salads and things like new potatoes or even just nice bread/rolls.

I am also a fan of roasting two chickens and then serving them at room temperature with salads and breads.

I would do salmon with new potatoes and salads. Some lovely warm bread maybe.

Beef brisket is extremely forgiving. www.seriouseats.com/jewish-braised-brisket-recipe

Serve hot as a casserole/pulled beef or serve later as the most wonderful beef sandwiches. It’ll a really rich cut with fabulous flavour.