Critique my casual mates for tea menu

[patooties]

What am I missing?
I’ve got 7 people coming for food on the Sunday before Christmas.
i am thinking of Levantine (ish) as I suspect none of us will want another roast / stew.
thoughts on this?
hummus / babaganoush / mujamara with breads
main - griddled chicken and lamb marinaded in either garlic lemon herbs or ‘sumac type spices’ (will marinate both meats in both marinades so 4 different meat mains)
Grilled halloumi.
tabbouleh and fattoush.
pudding will be something like meringue / berries / whipped cream.

the dips and meringue will be shop bought. It’s not master chef - it’s just mates coming for food - does this sound ok?

Sounds fabulous. What time can I turn up??

I would add pomegranate seeds to the dessert just to continue the theme, it all sounds delicious!

Sounds fine to me. I recommend the book Persiana for some tasty and interesting recipes if you want a change/spin from the usual hummus/bread/meat/salad. But for a casual dinner with friends (who might prefer usual fare), sounds like a good no fuss dinner.

Does anyone have a good chickpea or maybe feta salad recipe that might go?

Sounds delicious. I would like fresh pineapple for my pudding please.

Ooh yes, that all sounds perfect to me.

Can you squeeze in an 8th person!!

Sounds delicious! I'm sure you know your friends dietary requirements but just to note it's quite wheat-heavy. As someone who eats gluten free I wouldn't be able to eat the bread, taboulleh or Fatoush, which would leave just meat and cheese. Perhaps add some grilled or roasted veggies?

Yes please, count me in.
Sounds delicious

It’s Christmas - offer Turkish Delight too :-)

Sounds gorgeous! I love a creamy sauce with a main like that, maybe something like toum, Tzatziki or a tahini based dip. Oh and some of those lovely pickled chillis. But that's just me being greedy 😂.

sounds lovely. Those homemade flat breads you see on social media?

Ottolenghi has an amazing confit chickpea dish. All sounds perfect

Your menu is right up my street and I'd be very happy to eat this at a friend's house!

This is a lovely recipe and has become a staple in our house!

Sounds amazing, any room for one more?

Sounds absolutely yummy but if I was to critique, I would say two things, firstly that it's very summery, especially dessert of berries which aren't in season so not at the best. Perhaps an orange / almond / olive oil cake would work with the theme?

Secondly griddling would usually be last minute which I try to avoid if possible. Would slow cooked lamb be an option with same sides?

Agree with PP, I’d try to make it easier on yourself by doing the lamb in a slow cooker. Anthony Worrall- Thompson’s lamb tagine on the BBC Good Food site is great

this is a lovely salad dressing https://redwoodkitchen.com/sumac-dressing/

This recipe is really nice (and GF too) https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/13/baked-aubergines-chickpeas-tomatoes-vegan-recipe-meera-sodha

Sounds good, I’d do vegetables of some kind, perhaps a vegetable tagine that’s make ahead. For dessert I’d make baklava - cheat way - filo pastry, squeezy honey, chopped nuts of choice, served with clotted cream ice cream

Salivating, Sounds fabulous.

I would do a yoghurt dip too!

I love this chickpea salad.

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables/summer-chickpea-salad/