Please help me with my brunch/Sunday lunch menu

[MiniMarmite]

We're having friends over for lunch this Sunday but tend to eat early (noon) as we like DS to be able to eat with us (main course at least) before his nap so sometimes make it a bit brunchy at the weekend.

I also need it to be minimal effort/advance prep as I find it hard to focus with DS running around and want to be able to talk to my friends rather than cook.

So, I was thinking...

No starter (due to gluttony ahead)

Main: Pork Donnie Brasco - really slow cooked pork that just falls apart recipe - I've cooked this before and it is divine.

But I can't decide whether to do option 1) serve with greens (e.g. pak choi) and rice or option 2) homemade bread rolls and apple sauce with a salad.

Dessert: either sticky toffee pudding or rhubarb panna cotta

then cheese (just one type as we might be a bit full) and biscuits, grapes, dates

then coffee and homemade macaroons.

Do you think this is OTT? Should I skip dessert and just bring a platter with cheese etc and macaroons and let people graze as they wish. Which main option?

Definitely go for greens and rice and I would skip dessert go for the platter but add some more fruit to it.

I think all the options sound absolutely delicious so you can't go wrong whatever you do!!

Hwr: although I would prefer the pak choi & rice option myself ...the rolls and apple sauce are more "brunchy". Then people could either help themselves to panna cotta, or cheese platter or both ...

Also, it depends on number of guests but cooking rice and pak choi so they are not over-done at last minute does need a bit of vigilance ...

As I say though, it's all totally scrumptious sounding so you can't lose!!

Also, depends if guests have dc or not. If so, they will be used to eating full Sunday lunch early ....if you decide on pak choi and rice option that is (if that makes sense!)

Hello,
Like SC I would prefer the rice and Pak Choi, so would my DCs (well, the rice anyway). But, as SC so rightly pointed out, more hands on at the last minute.

I love sticky toffee pudding, but it is very conducive to falling asleep, so maybe OK for DCs but a bit heavy for grownups at lunchtime, so pannacotta preferable from that point of view, but cheese and lovely selection of biscuits, chutney and fruit would be my definite winner, nice and easy to nibble and chat over.

Pak choi then rhubarb pannacotta sounds fab.

And where do you live, I'm coming round!

Going against general consensus I'd prefer rolls, apple sauce and salad at that time of day and it would involve less fiddling and last minute cooking.
Both puds sound yum but like MrsDinky says sticky toffee a bit heavier so pannacotta probably more suitable, especially as you're offering cheese as well. Although pud probably not necessary at all.

Sounds gorgeous - can I be your friend?

Thanks everyone,

Glad it all sounds yummy - I was having a bit of a crisis of menu confidence (I think because I had been planning on doing lamb before realising that one of my friends doesn't like it)

mamaduckbone, you'll be pleased to hear that DH is on a one man campaign for the rolls with apple sauce so looks like we'll be going with that option! And I think you're all right that involves a bit less fiddling at the last moment which will be important as DS is usually beside himself with hunger by about 11:45!

I think I'll do small pannacottas or I did have a random thought about blood orange and rosemary jelly which might be quite refreshing after the fatty pork.

then put DS down for his nap

then we can just graze on cheese and fruit etc

There will only be six of us so you'll all have to drop by to help polish off the leftovers!

Thanks again