What to cook for guests?

[WingingIt101]

We have friends coming over on a Saturday for lunch - they are lovely hosts and wonderful cooks whenever we go to them.

we will be 4 adults, 2 five year olds, 2 three year olds and a newborn. Obviously the newborn doesn’t need catering for by us!
all fairly easy eaters, my daughter is coeliac so I need to adapt recipes for that but am quite use to it.

id like to make them a lunch which makes them feel special and treated - ordinarily for a larger group with kids I’d do a lasagne or similar but I fear with a new baby they’ve been living off batch cooked one dish meals for a few months now!

suggestions of what I could make? I’ve got absolutely no idea?!

Thinking of the party including five year olds, you could do some roast chickens, new potatoes (or potatoes dauphinoise if its cold outside), salad or vegetables. I know it's simple but everyone loves a roast chicken. Especially children.

Or roast beef. You don't have to do it like a Sunday lunch but fillet of beef with a lovely salad and potatoes would be pretty popular with most people.

Keep it simple and things that you can make ahead of time. Leg of lamb, tray or dauphinoise potatoes (make them the day before) and some veg. Make a pudding the day before too, trifle, brownies etc

Another vote for a roast dinner, a real luxury if you've been having batch cooked meals for a few weeks.
For pudding I'd do something like Pear Belle Hélène, with maybe just ice cream and chocolate sauce for the tiny children, or perhaps poached plums served with sweetened mascarpone and almond biscuits.

luxury fish pie https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/luxe-fish-pie

This is always a hit when I make it and my young children like it https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018910-sheet-pan-chicken-with-chickpeas-cumin-and-turmeric, I serve it with a couple of side salads. A leg of lamb with salads also sounds lovely.