Would you be disappointed to be invited to someone's house on Easter Sunday and not be served a roast?

[ohpumpkinseeds]

I've got 12 adults and 6 kids coming on Easter Sunday, for an Easter egg hunt / games and food. I've not specified what the food will be and I'm wondering if people will be disappointed to not get a roast dinner?

At this stage I'm a bit fed up of roast dinners and wanting to embrace spring! I'm thinking a slow roast leg of lamb marinated in harissa, and some bone in/skin on chicken thighs roasted with garlic thyme and honey. I could then do a couple of salad type sides, and some flatbreads??

Can I come? Harissa lamb sounds amazing!

Sounds delicious! And for people who are desperate for a roast, well you are still doing a roast leg of lamb, just not with traditional flavours/sides.

This sounds lovely and I’ve done similar previously; watermelon, feta and basil salad is incredible with lamb for spring. Let me know what time you want us…

Sounds amazing. Roasts are boring

That sounds lovely. I thought you were going to suggest offering sandwiches!

That sounds amazing, I’d rather have that then a roast.

If you were doing something completely different to the expected then I'd say something like, looking forward to seeing you Sunday, just FYI I'm cooking paella. Just so if people are expecting the traditional roast dinner they are prepared. However you are still doing a roast so no need.

I’d just be grateful to be invited to an egg hunt (kids occupied) and have someone else making me food :D

Eh?! I absolutely don't get people who expect to eat certain things at specific times or points in the calendar when visiting other people's homes. See threads like these sometimes, from both sides; hosts worrying about their spreads and disgruntled visitors whingeing that they were served sandwiches and not cold cuts on Boxing Day at SiL's or potato skins with drinks at the neighbours'.
Peculiar assumption that one's expectation is somehow realised, despite being in someone else's home. Just being invited should be a source of delight and gratitude ‐how nice (irrespective of food offerings). My friends and I do 'bring-a-dish' when getting together; everyone is happy to share and enjoy each other's cooking and nobody worries about being solely responsible for the food. In fact, sometimes we say that the host doesn't have to make a dish, especially if the DC and spouses are coming, as the host will have a bit of extra prep before, and tidying afterwards, and we'll all be drinking her tea and coffee.

I wouldn't mind at all. I love roast but part of the fun of eating at someone else's house is that I have food I don't normally cook. It sounds lovely.

And frankly, any food I haven't had to plan & cook is a treat.

Thanks all this is all very reassuring!! All welcome of course Egg hunt starts at 11am!

I often do this for Easter, for a similar number. Everyone seems happy! I do do some roast potatoes or new potatoes in the oven in olive oil too though.

I'd be so pleased to be asked, I wouldn't mind what I got.
Your harissa lamb suggestion sounds amazing!

For me Easter has to be lamb and your take on it sounds so much more fun than a roast - I think I might copy you and serve the same!

I hope not as I've got 11 people coming and as there's no roast. In fact I have a freezer full of a large order from Cook so it's going to be a buffet with salads and a couple of their fabulous desserts.

Cook a roast for yourself on Monday! The idea of friends inviting me over for Easter Sunday fills me with happiness. Have a lovely time the lamb will be delicious xxx

What time shall I be round? Sounds lovely!

Not at all! In fact me and DH always have done a Greek style lamb with feta, flatbreads etc for the last few years…its delicious and much better than a roast

Sounds absolutely delicious and I would be delighted and also not surprised as it sounds very “Easter lunch” to me!

but I do have a question - how is a roast leg of lamb not a roast?! And roast chicken thighs? I thought you were going to say you were making a risotto or curry or something (also would be fine but I do think a lot of people would expect some sort of roast meat).

we dont really use the term “a roast” but I always understood it to mean roast meat + accompaniments. Does the harissa stop it being a roast? Or is it the lack of roast vegetables?

The lack of roast wouldn't be a problem but turning up and getting salad? Unless it's a heatwave I can't get excited about salad. Not even a massive salad.

I am imagining gorgeous Ottolenghi style salads.

I’d just be very grateful that you had invited me. What time do we need to show up?

Say that again but slowly.

I'd be more than happy with that?

I mean ! Not ?