What can i make for a family (not posh) pre xmas dinner?

[littleducks]

My mum and dad are oming over to give kids xmas presents on the 20th, my mum will be here in the afternoon my dad for meal but may be in traffic so nothing that will spoil to easily

what can i make for them, me and kids 2 and 8 months? i want something nice but nothing roasted so as not to spoil their xmas dinner

Steak and chips

Red wine beef stew with dumplings? It will sit nicely in the pot for hours without spoiling. Even better if made day before.

Something like coq au van? where you can just bung it in the oven?

Agree, a casserole or something like fish pie which can be made in advance

If you want to do something a bit special then how about linguine with crab and chilli (just leave the chilli out of the children's part).

Ahead of time (day before as it keeps in the fridge overnight) mix two tins of white crab meat, with 3 tablespoons ground nut oil (or veg oil will do) juice of a lime, 1 large chopped red chilli (or a teaspoon of chilli flakes) and a large handful of chopped coriander. Stir together and leave until you need it.

10mins before serving, cook the pasta, then drain and stir through the crab sauce - you don't heat it before doing so, it goes in cold.

Serve with lots of crusty bread.

Or if you fancy something simpler, how about a big pot of chilli or curry, served with lots of accompaniements - guacamole, sour cream and salsa, with lots of nachos for dipping for the chilli, or chutneys, cucumber or mint riatha, with pompadoms with the curry.

Both curry and chilli can be made the day before and kept overnight (in fact they improve with keeping) so just heat them up while you cook the rice, once your family have arrived.

another vote for casserole here, or maybe sausage and mash!

lasagne, salad and garlic bread. Always a winner

chilli sound interesting, will look out some casserole type recipes, as it sound sensible not my normal type of cooking, have only ever mad one casserole

has to be alcohol and pork free which rules out others but i expect there is a way of making a coq au vin/beef in red wine type dish with stock instead?

wine in this recipe is optional - looks good too