easy but kinda special thankyou, meal for 8 adults and 5 kids

[lovelysongbirdanotheryearolder]

our family has helped us alot to get our garden sorted and i'd like to have them all over as a thankyou.

i thought about doing some food.
but i don't want to end up stressed and running about iykwim.

i thought for dessert i could have a chocolate cake, nice easy and can be done in advance.

but im stuck for main meal ideas.
or should i just get a takeout? and if so what kind on a sunday?
the only takout i can thinnk of is dominos on a sunday

ps they only like very simple food.
anything like baked salmon they think is fancy !

I would make something simple like a roast dinner or fish pie that you can do as much prep for before hand as possible and then enjoy the meal.

Do not get a take out on a sunday, regular chefs are often off on sundays, and they need to use up the crap that was not sold over the weekend and it gets left for hours as they do not sell as much on sundays. I would say that 8 times out of ten I have had crap take outs on a sunday, at the same places that do fab food on fridays/saturdays.

How about a chicken casserole served with crusty bread, or lasagne with garlic bread/salad?. You can prepare, pop in the oven and then leave for the next couple of hours for casserole, 45 mins for lasagne, gives you a chance to tidy/lay table/shower/get family sorted, socialise while it finishes off.

thanks mrspnut, i was thinking of doing a roast.
but i've never done it for so many before.

pav,thanks good point about takeout on sunday, i was thinkning of getting them to come on a sat instead if i can't think of anything that i feel confident i can do without being all stressy.

lasagne could work.

Lasagne is easy, served with salads and garlic bread.

Or a big pan of homemade soup, with nice breads and cheese.

Or lots of baked potatoes with a couple of fillings: - cold (homemade coleslaw, grated cheese, tuna and sweetcorn) - hot (ratatouille or chilli).

janeite thanks for the ideas

i lik all those ideas

How about boeuf bourguignon served with mashed potatoes.

Do you have a slow cooker?

that sounds nice, i don't have a slow cooker.

think im scared of the numbers

baked potatoes with lots of different fillings is LOVely. You could have a big pot of chilli if you wanted one hot filling and then a variety of salads. mmmm

oh they wouldn't eat chilli, its not plain enough iykwim?

I know the feeling!

That recipe I linked to serves 4-6 so you just need to double everything and make loads of mash so that no-one goes hungry.

I just asked about a slow cooker as I thought it might save you a bit of time but obviously any overproof casserole will do - if you have one big enough that is - eeeek!

How about a cooked "brunch" instead? sausages and bacon, simple and easy. Then some nice pastries and waffles instead of a pudding.

i could do a roast chicken, jackets and salads ?

do 2 chickens and let them go cold if worried about having enough? cold chicken, hot baked spuds and salady stuff sounds yum to me!

Jamie Oliver Fantastic Fish pie! I have served it before and got requests for more! Always a winner here.

oh no they don't eat fish.

i know they are nightmares.

lasagne would be there most exotic!

A big pot of chilli with loads of baked potatoes and toppings.

they won't eat chilli or anything lightly spiced.

If you want to do a roast for 13 people, then make it a turkey.

they are more your meat n 2 veg types iykwim!

shame its so cold as a bbq in the garden would be perfect.

sausages and mash?

yeaah that could work, althiough i kinda wanted something that would do its self lol.
so i don't have to do anything when they are there.
i normally fry sasauges, but how do they get on in the oven?

i suppose i could pre make the mash and then just micro?