If you had were now hosting 6 people for lunch tomorrow, what would your menu be?

[FoxandDuck]

Plans for tomorrow have changed and I am now hosting. Fortunately there are no dietary requirements and, as I’ve stepped in at the last minute, I think everyone would be happy if I just made them all a sandwich but I want to do a bit more than that! Added complications are that I’m out tonight and, whilst I do have a regular Saturday morning supermarket delivery booked, it’s the 9 - 10 slot so not a huge amount of time to prep!
I do have eggs in so thought I’d make meringues quickly now and bung them in the oven whilst I’m getting ready and then I can leave them to cool overnight.
I thought a buffet would be best. I was thinking roast chicken thighs, spiced lamb mince with pomegranate & little gem lettuce, watermelon, mint & feta salad, roast veg & orzo salad, pea & asparagus salad and some fancy breads.
Will that do? I figure there’s a lot of chopping & combining but, other than the lamb mince, very little actual cooking
Any other suggestions?

Hot dogs and banana splits, but I think the age group im catering for might be different. Although last time I did it the adults were more giddy with squinty cream and jelly tots than the children!

Gracious me, OP, there is absolutely no way I'd be attempting your menu with no notice and onto a couple of hours to prep!

"Grilled" ham & cheese toasties made American style in a frying pan/flat griddle kept warm in a low oven, cut into four triangles each (could do some just cheese). Use pre-sliced bread and cheese.

Giant Greek style salad - tomatoes, cucumber, nice black olives, red onion, herbs

Posh crisps

No one will complain. Everyone will enjoy themselves. You will not be stressed.

Get cream and berries to go with meringues.

Oh, feta in the Greek salad obviously. And oregano. I've had a cocktail, can you tell!?

Freshly made tomato and basil soup with fresh bread rolls, pea/mushroom risotto with a bit of pan fried parma ham and parmesan shavings, and fresh strawberries or shop-bought trifle for pud. 😊

Beef Wellington
indiviudal

I did banana splits for my last book club lunch. Filled with ladies who are a bit snobby and competitive with cooking (and books and everything else).

banana splits went down a storm. I had all sorts of extras- sprinkles, mini marshmallows, glace cherries, chocolate sauce. It was a success.

My fail safe option is always a bought quiche with new potatoes and a green salad. Often buy a french stick too. I do have some other salads that I often do too, depending on the time. For pudding i often have a sticky toffee pudding and chocolate brownie in the freezer but failing that them berries and cream.

Something easy you can cook in the morning and serve at room temp, along with a salad. So quiche maybe? The Ottolenghi meat loaf is a fave of mine but you might find some of the ingredients difficult to get.

Preceded by fresh lobster bisque, of course.

I’d do Lamb Koftas, flatbreads with salads and dips. Oh and some Halloumi and veg kebabs.

I'd either do:

brunch (sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, beans, mushrooms, toast); or

Wraps - spicy lamb mince (with onions, peppers, courgette, mushrooms in the mix), chicken with peppers and onions, rice, cheese , sour cream, guacamole and salad; or

Jacket potatoes with choice of beans, chilli and cheese with salad.

If it was colder weather I'd do soup and a toastie/sandwich!

It’ll be hot. I’d make a quiche Lorraine, get cold cuts of meat in, make a potato salad and preferably a fancy salad. Add bread. Dessert sounds fine. You could also get eg Quorn picnic eggs, scotch eggs, pork pies.

or fajitas with dips, chicken or steak and salad

Just don’t forage for poisonous mushrooms and add to this à la Kiwi woman who murdered her in-laws and tried to murder others.

My mum makes a spinach and ricotta lasagne but it is fiddly.

Can people help, with either bringing something or in the kitchen?

I can’t imagine turning up at someone’s house when they have had such short notice empty handed

I'd stick with a variety of sandwiches TBH, make pinwheels, fingers, triangles. Tuna, cheese, egg mayo, ham whatever. Some big fat oven chips on the side, and crisps, and a bowl of salad. Add sausage rolls and cocktail sausages if you want. I had this last Saturday for a gang of 8, and not one piece of food was left. (maybe I didn't make enough ha ha), but I made plenty.

I mad a banoffi. Quick to do and assemble as long as you have the stuff for it.

Otherwise I'd buy a load of Magnums 😊

I'd probably do a big Greek salad, chicken shawarma, falafels, minty yoghurt, hummus and some nice bread.

Then a rainbow pavlova with banana, nectarine, kiwi, raspberries and blueberries.

This sounds amazing. Perhaps not 3 salads?
Spanish omelette or frittata instead of chicken? Or farinata (vegan)? www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/farinata
Mixed berries?

I think that sounds like an excellent menu . What will you do with the meringues? Eton mess or?

(Also what time shall I arrive 😄)

A large spatchcocked chicken, buttered new potatoes with mint, a mixed green salad maybe with some avocado and olives, tomato and basil salad, bread. Strawberries and a choice of Greek yogurt, ice cream or cream to go with. I can't believe some of the menus on here!

I like the cheese and ham toasties and crisps suggestion!

A 70s dessert that’s easy and my mum made is:-

ginger or Marie biscuits
soak biscuits in liqueur or strong black coffee
then cover with lots of whipped cream
serve sliced diagonally

Olives, crisps, dip, charcuterie on arrival. Then bbq roast chicken (spatchcock it if you can!) with a few different salads and baguette. Cheese and crackers. Ice cream and berries. I’m all for simple!

Id just do mexican
Nachos to start
Diy fajitas or tacos

I’d stick the bbq on, everyone loves a bbq