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?

If you’re a medium confident cook this recipe is always a winner. Serve with chips, salad, garlic bread etc and can make it in advance and just whack it in the oven
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chicken-squash-pesto-lasagne

I would probably do fajitas or enchiladas with little notice
But quiche, new potatoes, potato salad other salads would be nice
Or some salads, kebabs, flat breads, hummus, tzakaki type thing
For dessert I always choose two- meringue, fruit and cream or banana split and ice cream, or chocolate brownie and ice-cream, or some picky desserts- shortbread, brownie, mini cheesecake bites, blondie type things!!!

A take-away menu..

I think your menu sounds great -OP.

I'd just add a pile of pizzas to that supermarket order. I hate cooking but I can heat up very well. 😁

I'd simplify. Halloumi for any vegetarians, these lamb koftas for meat eaters - I made them last weekend and they took no time at all, and cooked in the air fryer.

Then pitta, hummus, a Greek salad and that's plenty.

You are Erin Patterson and I claim my £5.00.

I’m in the same position. Last minute invite given to family to come over tomorrow. I’m going to prep a lasagne in the morning that I can throw in the oven whenever and serve with a salad, garlic bread, chips if the teens want them. Nibbles and plenty of fizz but not thought about desert…

I would make a quiche,chiken and tarragon salad ,strawberries and ice cream.

Lasagne, big salad with nice tomatoes and mozzarella, breads, maybe Eton Mess.

I have 12 on Sunday with about that amount of time to cook. I’m doing baked side of salmon and a big warm potato salad with lots of leaves, radishes etc. Peas and mash for the kids instead of the potato salad. Strawberries and cream. Bought chocolate brownies. Cheese and charcuterie.

Ploughmans lunches:
Lots of fancy bread rolls
Pickled onions
Chutney
Cheeses and pork pies
Salad
Coleslaw

Pavlova

I would do the the chicken thighs as a traybake with a selection of veg like onion, pepper, baby potatoes, carrots etc. Nice bread and a few dips. Not sure what the weather is like where you are but I would just get mini ice cream, think magnums etc. Make it easy for yourself.

Sorry, @FoxandDuck, I have nothing to add except admiration for those who can confidently whip up a lasagne in the morning before their guests are due for lunch! I find it so time-consuming and messy that I just don’t bother!
I would probably do a crustless quiche of some sort, and then oven baked chicken pieces marinaded and cooked in a ridiculously easy sauce made of tomato ketchup, soy sauce and maple syrup (with added Tabasco or similar to taste), plus, as you mention, watermelon and mint salad, maybe with griddled halloumi rather than feta. We have amazing patisseries where I live in Europe, so I would just buy a dessert from my favourite bakery!

id BBQ

Your menu sounds lovely tasty.

I really need to ask as it's been suggested and I noticed that most food threads on here always mention quiche, is this a mn thing or an English thing that you eat quiche quite a lot and for most meals/events etc oh and what is posh crisps ?

Honestly with how little time you have I’d be going to Booths and buying a couple of rotisserie chickens and a load of the pre prepared salads and breads. I’d not be faffing with so little time, but your menu looks lovely if you can be bothered 😂

I reckon posh crisps include Kettle Chips, Tyrrells, supermarket expensive brand (e.g. Taste The Difference) etc. bought in big bags "for sharing" (I can easily polish off a "serves five" bag if the situation calls for it though).

Posh crisps should, according to my mother, be decanted into a naice bowl and under no circumstances eaten directly from the bag.

Ooh I’d come to your house if invited! Sounds great! 😁

I bet they had plenty to say afterwards. I’d be gagging, sorry! 😬

Quiche means you don’t give a shit basically!

Chop a bag of spuds into wedges, throw in a large baking tray, slap an entire raw chicken on top and roast until the meat thermometer shows the correct temp.

Chicken prepped with a compound butter under the skin (garlic / herbs / salt / pepper / msg /anything else you fancy to taste), then pat the skin dry and salt it so it goes crispy.

The butter melts through the chicken and the wedges cook in the butter and chicken juice and go almost like fondant potatoes. Serve with some steamed veg that has the leftover juice from the pan poured over.

Very low effort as once you've got it in the oven it's just waiting for it to be done, the veg is steamed while the chicken rests (leave it on the spuds so they stay hot).