What's a delicious dinner I can make in a reasonably well equipped holiday lodge?!

[Impatientwino]

Going away with friends (separate lodges) and we have agreed to each prepare two nights meals to give us each two nights off!

One of my two nights I'm going to do an antipasti extravaganza of meats/cheeses/veggies/breads/dips/prawns and some tapas style warm dishes to graze at but the other night I'm not sure what to do.

It's actually for the first night so I can prep at home and take with me but have the time to cook there as well as we will have plenty of time. It's a 2 hour drive so can keep things reasonably cold.

I did want to go Greek with humous/tzatziki/pitta/spinach pie starter and then pre make a moussaka and serve with salad for main but I've just found out one of them doesn't like aubergine (sob)

All meat eaters - 1 no fish so I need to avoid that (except prawns and white fish apparently) and no beetroot, lentils or now aubergines sadly No allergies or anything.

We've stayed there before and there is a decent oven and reasonable kitchen equipment plus I have space to take some things.

I have all day the day before going to prep and at least 1hr 30 on the night before they arrive.

I can't do curries as we have different spice preferences to them.

They are doing Mexican and Roast chicken on their nights. I know that they are good cooks and foodies so I want to do something that's delicious but achievable away from home.

Just feeding 4 adults - what would you do?

Thank you in advance!

Homemade lasagne - similar to your Moussaka idea.
Homemade Quiche

www.theguardian.com/feasting-with-ocado/2021/oct/22/rukmini-iyers-crispy-baked-squash-and-gnocchi-gratin-with-creme-fraiche-feta-and-kale

This is delicious and is a throw it all in one pot job too! I've made it many times for people who have come round and it's always a winner.

Second lasagne!

I'd also do lasagne. It's easily transportable and you could make a nice salad and dressing to have on the side

I’d consider taking my slow cooker and doing boeuf bourgignon (BBC slow cooker version is great).
im a big fan of slow cooker food when catering for friends because it means I’m not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else enjoys themselves.

Lamb and vegetable kebabs / koftas instead of moussaka. Could still use aubergine if you wanted on some of them.

Lasagne

A really good beefy stew - perhaps with ox cheek or shin instead of normal stewing steak.

Goulash

Lasagne is popular so if it floats your boat do go for that.

My easiest party dish is a fillet of beef. Rub with a spice mix to taste (I use salt, white pepper, curry powder and paprika). 35mins in a hot ( gas mark 6 or 7) will leave it pink in the middle. Adjust to taste.

Take a dish of potatoes au gratin and a green salad, to which you add avocado at the last minute. Make gravy or take dressing as you prefer.

It's quite unlike anything anyone else will make do a welcome change. Easy peasy and foolproof. Enjoy.

Beef borguinon - even better the day after being made, so make and slow cook the day before and reheat even better, bung a sheet of frozen puff pastry on top before reheating in the oven - beef bourguinon pie!

I’d do one courgette moussaka, one traditional moussaka

Lamb tagine with apricots served with cous cous (with herbs in), pre cooked the day before. It's easy and repeats well. Cous cous is very quick.

Chicken and chorizo risotto with a nice dressed salad in a separate bowl. You can't pre-make it but it only takes about half an hour/r40 mins. It's so easy to make, it's just the stirring that takes the time and I chat and drink wine whilst doing that.

Shepherds pie/cottage pie? Or a chicken based traditional pastry pie such as chicken and leek or chicken and mushroom? Fish pie (with just white fish and prawns)? All of these can be made in advance and then just popped in the oven and served with veg. Didn’t realise how fond I am of pies until I wrote this post!

I'd still make the moussaka, but use courgettes instead of aubergines. I had it this way in Greece on my honeymoon and have made it this way ever since, courgette works really well

Lasagne for the win. With salad, coleslaw and garlic bread.

make at home and bring with you for a super easy first night.

Ainsly Harriots Chicken sumac, Google it.
its my go to easy entertaining dinner, marinade and cook the chicken at home then assemble the rest there, then all you have to do is pop it in the oven, serve with lemon pilaf.

@Impatientwino you are overthinking this. Just do one of your simple go to dishes plus a nice ( bought!!?!) dessert. And nice wine.

The last self catering holiday we were on I think we cooked:

• a chilli (we bring our own spice blend) with rice, guacamole and nachos for 2 nights
• nice 'fresh' oven pizzas with coleslaw
• a tagliatelle dish with bacon and asparagus
• a fancy ploughman's

We're currently on holiday and have, for the first time, bought our slow cooker with us. So we're doing:

• a Mexican pulled pork shoulder (mountains of it for £5), with rice, nachos, refried beans and soured cream for 2 nights
• a beef and apricot tagine with couscous for 2 nights
• 'fresh' oven pizzas

The slow cooker is an absolute winner. We go out and do a day of activities and walk in to dinner ready!

I was going to say chilli with those rice trays you do in microwave

Moussaka - but with courgettes instead of aubergines.

I've made it half-and-half, and used cocktail sticks to mark the divide.

I'm going to make a sweeping generalisation that I suspect the aubergine disliker probably won't be a huge fan of courgette either.

I always take either chilli or bolognase already cooked for first night s/c then do the pasta or rice when there

I would go for simple but delicious, good quality ingredients. As it's only for 4 would you be confident cooking steaks? Advantage of not taking you away from the action for too long. Either do with chips or herby, roasted new potatoes, green beans, tender-stem broccoli and a peppercorn sauce.

Or fresh linguine with garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes, prawns and fresh coriander. Serve with garlic bread and a salad.

Thank you very much for all your suggestions, some delicious sounding dishes here which is exactly as I hoped!

Very grateful to you all taking the time to reply!

I never thought about taking a slow cooker on holiday but that's such a clever idea!

Just got in from a group I attend and read all your suggestions and I'm now very hungry!!

Yes always a good idea for simple ingredients! I know they are eating at hawksmoor the week before we go so will avoid steaks. That linguine sounds delicious!

Homemade pizzas. Mexican fajitas or tacos with nachos, guac, all the toppings.