Entertaining for 8 with mixed diets - help appreciated.

[Fushia123]

Birthday meal for my two brother in laws and other family on Thursday - 8 in all.Three pescatarians, one dairy free and one on ‘health diet’ and only eating fish, meat, veg and carbs. All adults.
I want to make it as easy as possible as I have a busy few days ahead so I’ve come up with this menu. All served at beautifully set table! Any other suggestions gratefully received…..
One large pan fried mixed Mexican style veg with peppers, onions, peas, paprika etc.
Pieces of oven baked salmon
Ready cooked full chicken from Booths to slice and serve.
A large mixed salad
Choice of two desserts - cheese cake/roulade
Fresh fruit salad and dairy free ice cream.
What do you think?

Sounds lovely. Up the quantity to serve 9 and I'll be round!
Maybe add some new potatoes?

Yes I was going to say - new potatoes or a big bowl of couscous (if they don’t get eaten they will be great leftovers)

Very uncouth of me, I know, but don’t forget the (optional) vegan mayonnaise. Heinz do a really good one.

Perfect, sounds tasty, all bases covered.

Why not cook your own chicken? Hardly difficult! I used to make an avocado cream to go with salmon. It’s a Delia recipe. Don’t overcook the salmon. Wrap it in foil to cook or it dries out. Agree about new potatoes.

Great ideas - thanks.
Your replies have given me some much needed confidence!

Poached side of salmon decorated with cucumber "scales" in a light aspic.
Baby new potatoes in their skins
Green salad and peas, asparagus or baby broad beans
Home made sauce either tartar or horseradish or a green herb dressing - think vinaigrette with lots of chopped dill
Strawberries and cream plus strawberries in a good balsamic for the dairy-free guest (or whipped coconut yoghurt)
Alternatively, summer pudding

Light, covers all bases, hot and cold elements

If you need a starter gazpacho, can be served in shot glasses for a bit of fun, would fit.

I'm not sure why you're doing the chicken at all? Why not just do the salmon as everyone seems to eat fish?

I'm also a bit confused by the combination of mexican flavours - are you doing similar for your chicken/fish to make it harmonious?

Is the roulade dairy free becuase otherwise eyou're fairly heavily into dessserts WITH dairy.

I think it sounds a bit mix and match. Will everyone eat fish? If so, skip the chicken and do fish for everyone.

If you want to keep with the Mexican theme you could do a mango or pineapple salsa with baked fish if your choosing. With a lime and coriander rice. Do some tortilla chips, salsa and fresh guacamole. Coconut sorbet will mango for pudding. All dairy free and pescatarian and healthy.

If you don’t intend to go full Mexican, I’d ditch the Mexican veg. Do a baked fish fillet with sautéed garlic prawns, new potatoes (dairy free butter) and I might do a potato gratin of some sort for the dairy folks, lots of fresh and roasted veg (asparagus definitely), and a more traditional pudding this time.

Is the roulade dairy free becuase otherwise eyou're fairly heavily into dessserts WITH dairy.
I wasn’t sure whether OP meant roulade and cheesecake were the two desserts, both served with fruit salad and dairy free ice cream or something whether she hadn’t decided whether roulade or cheesecake for dessert 1; fruit salad & ice cream was dessert 2?

Either way, the dairy free person is a little short changed unless the roulade is dairy free. I’d make some meringue nests and they can put a scoop of dairy free ice cream in and top with fruit salad.
I fruit coulis (can be made with frozen fruits to make it cheaper) would complement all the desserts and make them a bit ‘fancier’.

I’d also drop the chicken unless there’s a non-fish eater I didn’t notice, especially if it’s not going to be served straight from the oven