What to feed in-laws for lunch?

[VintedoreBay]

My in-laws are coming later this week to see their DGC (3 and 10m). I take the kids to a playgroup all morning every week on the day they'll be coming to visit and we will get home pretty much as in-laws arrive. DH arranged the visit with in-laws knowing all this and also he is conveniently away with work (ha!).

They'll be here for lunch and I've no idea what to cook for us all that's a bit better than beans on toast or scrambled eggs or cheese sandwiches (because they won't eat those options).

Last time I did slow cooked pulled pork so don't want to do that again, and before that I did Bolognese but got told mine was "ooh how very continental" because I shoved in extra veg (you know, for the kids!)

Any suggestions?! What do you serve your in-laws when they visit for lunch?

Something quick and simple please!!

Can I come to yours for lunch please😁

No!

Nails it.

I'd make a homemade lasagne the Evening before and just pop it into the oven and offer them garlic bread and salad as most people like that. I don't but most do.

I'd do a sort of afternoon tea type affair, things you can prepare in advance like sandwiches, cheese scones, sausage rolls, cakes etc

FFS, don’t make a quiche if you are doing that. Buy one!

Most importantly - when do they eat their main meal of the day? We have ours on an evening and I'd hate to be presented with something substantial at lunchtime.

I'd go for home made soup with some nice bread. I'd also offer cheese and biscuits, fruit and/or some nice cake in case anyone is still hungry.

If spag Bol works for you, just do that again and ignore comments

I would precook a roast chicken in the morning for an hour and have it cold with baby potatoes and salad. I always just shove it in the oven with potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots and kids can have some too

Or Camembert in the oven for 35 minutes with chutney, baguette and salad? That will be nice and continental…

Soup and nice bread (soup can be made and left in slow cooker all morning), with a few nice bits of cheese, some cold meat, pickles and a couple of salads.

Or if you need to serve a "proper meal", I'd make a shepherds pie (or cottage pie) the night before and reheat that. Steam some green beans and brocolli to go with it from frozen and bobs your uncle.

Pesto pasta is usually my emergency go to for visitors. Either make the pesto in advance or just use a jar. I usually just chuck in whatever veg I have, or frozen peas/corn if I'm running low. Will add cooked chicken if I have or if not I've always got tins of tuna. I use one pot so it's easy to tidy up after and can be served in less than 30minutes.

Tomato soup and cheese toasties

Buy a quiche and open a bagged salad. Fresh bread and butter. Fruit.

Havw you got an easy scone recipe please? Like this idea

My eldest is used to eating a bigger meal at lunch time at nursery so, depending what we're up to, we do the same at home. Youngest tends to eat more at lunch time, too.

@VintedoreBay - I was thinking more of when your in laws eat their main meal!

It's really not formal. It's just lunch 😂

Oops sorry misunderstood. They don't always eat in the evening, sometimes not at all! 🥴

If he was here he would. But he's not.

This is interesting. How is a jacket potato ‘lighter’ than spaghetti?

Just get posh indoor picnic/antipasti type stuff from M&S or something to shove in the oven with a salad. No-one expects a big home cooked meal for a weekday lunch.

Though I have to say one time DD2 was little and I was still breastfeeding and had got back into running regularly again, MIL invited me over for lunch and I got the sum of one egg scrambled on one slice of toast. I was ravenous and it barely touched the sides, in fact it just made me feel more hungry and rather frustrated.

I had to have my actual lunch when I got home, cheers for the starter.

I don't have a car to drive to M&S because DH has it for his work trip and it's well out the way unfortunately! 🙈

Get a nice quiche from a bakery - plus nice salad / potato salad

I use the BBC Good Food one, available online. I never roll/cut them though. I make two “rounds” of the mixture on a baking tray & slightly flatten them. Then I cut them almost through into 4 pieces with a sharp knife. I wet the blade first.