Meal ideas for guests

[Takeoutyourcow]

My parents are coming for lunch in a couple of weeks. When they come I find that I spend most of my time in the kitchen whilst my husband is entertaining them in the living room. I’d like to make something that I can prepare in advance and just have baking in the oven so I can spend more time chatting to them.

Other than lasagna (unless you have a great lasagna recipe!) does anyone have any recipes they can suggest please? It’s a birthday celebration so want something nice. Requirements are no poultry and nothing too spicy. Happy for other meat or vegetarian dishes. Thank you 🙂

Beef bourginon (I can’t spell it but hopefully you see what I mean).

Lamb biryani.

Kleftiko.

Stifado.

Day before- prep a leg of lamb in baking tray covered in foil, some dauphinoise potatoes and Nigella’s lemon polenta cake.

On the day- cook the lamb slowly, put the potatoes in to reheat, serve with minty peas. Have the cake with vanilla ice cream. That’s my fave low effort meal

Slow cooked ham, serve cold. Nigella has great recipes. New potatoes either salad or hot with lovely veg or different salads. Add bread, mustards etc. salmon and leek quiche is also easy if you use a puff pastry base, mix ricotta with eggs and lemon. Put this on the pastry and top with salmon, leeks and Parmesan cheese.

My three go-tos in a situation like this are

1. A slow roasted leg/shoulder of lamb or a rib of beef, served at room temperature after lengthy resting, with salads and new potatoes/flatbreads. I make "fancy" salads, and multiple ones so it makes a lovely spread on the table.
2. A paella (i do chicken and chorizo but if would probably want a more traditional fish version). I do all the prep in advance and then just add the stock and put the lid on to cook it 20 minutes before I want to eat.
3. Some sort of lamb/beef casserole, slow cooked in the oven and served with rice or mashed potatoes. But at this time of the year, I'm not wild about that - it's more of a winter option for me.

Salmon and asparagus quiche with new potatoes and green salad

Lobster fish pie https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a553282/luxury-fish-pie/

Thank you so much for all these lovely ideas. They all sound delicious!

I love this recipe. Cook ahead of time (instructions in the recipe) and just prep (easy) when you want to eat.

Serve with veg/salad of your choice. I usually do a Greek salad, some (store bought good quality) hummus and pita breads.

Its delicious and feels a bit special.

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/warm-shredded-lamb-salad-with-mint-and-pomegranate

Would also recommend Nigellas lemon polenta cake as a pp suggested for dessert.

Can highly recommend anything from COOK - I've never had a duff meal or pudding from them yet. Several easy "chuck in the oven" options, just serve with a bagged salad and garlic bread or similar.

https://www.cookfood.net/menu/main-meals/meals-for-4

Or if you prefer a veg side dish I’ve been known to serve with baby new potatoes in herb butter that you can buy ready prepped from the supermarket and just microwave in 8 mins.

Rose veal medallions simmered in orange and white wine sauce is a very celebratory dish. The colourful sauce looks especially good when served with a selection of green summer vegetables.
I'd do something like asparagus and hollandaise sauce to start, and a sparkling champagne and raspberry jelly for pudding.
Or
Poached salmon mayonnaise served with green beans & avocado vinaigrette could all be prepared in advance and ready to serve, so you need not spend any time in the kitchen while your guests are there.

I often make this gorgeous chicken and bacon pasta bake. It’s quite luxurious with a tomatoey creamy sauce. It’s easy to make and very substantial and filling. It’s a huge favourite when I make it for dinner guests.

https://www.kitchensanctuary.com/cheesy-pasta-bake-chicken-bacon/

Steak pie - slow cook the filling in advance and use shop bought pastry. Serve with simple veg which can be prepared in advance.

Beef stroganoff in the slow cooker and served with wild rice and tenderstem broccoli.

I think if I was in your position though I'd prepare a really simple tomato and red pepper soup, followed by a really good cottage pie with peas and broccoli . I'm not really a dessert person so mine would be shop bought.

A moussaka is a nice idea.
Aubergine parmigiana is also delicious and vegetarian, as a bonus.
They both freeze well.

Aside from make-aheas options, traybakes could be a good idea. Minimum prep, minimum washing up and the oven does the rest while you enjoy the company of your guests. Check out recipes from Rukmini Yver, some great ideas there

That does sound amazing!