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

suppose i could also do a sunday roast if i got loads of stuff pre done.
like make the yorkies in advance and maybe freeze or would they keep overnight in the fridge?

what about if i boiled the potatoes for the roasts the night before, stored them in the fridge would they go all brown?

I always cook sausages in the oven - use a roasting tin or similar.

Tbh the whole thing would take 40 minutes from peeling spuds to eating.

Half preparing a roast sound a bit of a faff to me.

mercy do they look even all over?
i will try that this week as my trial run.
what do you think tio the idea of making the mash in advance?

how long do sausages take in the oven and what temp? the thicker ones?

what would you serve them with a big bowl of baked beans and green veg.
so they can choose?

hand of pork is cheap and huge,easy roast

mutton is another delicious easy roast

Baked potatoes, salads and a couple of those pre-roasted chickens would be really easy. You could do a quiche for any veggies.

Chocolate cake for pudding for the adults; icecream and crushed maltesers for the children.

I make the mash in advance occasionally - it's fine when microwaved (gently though!)

Sausages do cook evenly, you need to turn them though. I allow 30 mins at 180 (fan oven) for thinnish ones. Make sure the oven is pre-heated and oil is reasonably hot before adding the sausages.

I only serve peas and carrots tbh

ok great well i will ask my dad[as hes the main one thats done the most] what he fancies most out of the choice of

banager n mash
chicken jackets salad
roast chicken roast pots
lasagne garlic bread and salad.

thanks everyone.

desserts i was think a chocolate cake strawberry trifle and maybe some toffee apples?
any other dessert ideas.
def somethiing cold that can be made in advance.

Just had another idea.

Cottage pie or shepherd's pie can be made in advance and just heated up in the oven while you do your veg.

thanks for your help mercy

Our butcher does some really tasty steak burgers. I did them (with a token effort salad) for the family last weekend and they went down really well all round. Was v easy and I think it is the first time I have managed to please everyone at once.

Have you decided Songbird?

Lancashire hotpot is very easy and plain.

I think a big pan of beef stew, dumplings, and big slices of crusty bread with loads of butter. This is a favorite in my house when we have a people coming over, you can make day before or the morning and just re heat, gives you all the time in the world to enjoy your company!

hi, i'm going to do
roast chicken, jackets, salad etc and choc cake