Cooking for mums, but I don't know them!

[HinnyPet]

Dd has made some new friends at school, I've invited her new pals and their Mums for lunch this week but I just don't know what to make for them! I don't know them very well, one has said she doesn't like potatoes and I don't like fish and can't eat bread... So sandwiches are out!!

Our house is in the process of being renovated, (it will all be safe though) so I'd like them not to notice the mess but remember the food!

Any ideas what to make? There'll be 3 Mums, 3 little girls and three little boys and one baby.

mmmm home made quiches

and home made lasagne?

salads?

dont forget the drinks... some thing fruity and fresh

I would probaly do a mini buffet of simple things to cater for all. Perhaps a selection of rolls/sandwiches. Baked potatoes for those that can't eat bread. Selection of salad (just one or two). Perhaps one cake plus some fruits for pudding? Nice coffee and juice?

for a weekday lunch I can't imagine that anyone would expect you to make a massive effort.

Thank you, is quiche easy to make?

big bowl of pasta?

homemade pizza?

then a nice fresh salad to go with?

Bowl of new potatoes (the one mum can leave them), a quiche, couple of salads (eg a Greek one and a cous cous one), sarnies and cherry toms/carrot and cucumber sticks for the littlies.

Or soup - for all.

Waitrose/Sainsbury's quiche is very easy to make. Just pop in a hot oven for 25 minutes.

Home made quiche isn't that difficult. I used to use a be-ro recipe.

Homemade quiche is dead easy. Even easier if you cheat and buy ready made pastry. But pastry is easy too.

ready made pastry - remove from fridge to warm up

lay over quiche tray thingy and blind bake, then remove beans and let bake through til golden

prepare filling, tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms (precooked in butter nom nom nom) and cheese, fill the pastry case with filling

for your quiche suace stuff you need

2 eggs
plus a egg yolk
10floz single cream

salt pepper and cheeeese

so, fill the case with cheese, then pour over the creamy egg and bake til firm

I have got a recipe for a really nice warm duck salad, and then you could have fresh fruit and some warm bread and cheese.

Lasagne garlic bread salad

pizza potato wedges salad garlic bread dips

burgers?

I would go with lasagne actually, maybe a wee buffet table for kids?

I had a couple of mum friends and accompanying children round the other day.

The adults had this. Twas yum.

I made some bakewell slice for all too.

Can I have the recipe for the duck salad please?

All the suggestions are great, thank you all.

Duck Salad

This is for 2 but to be honest myself and DH struggle to finish all of this so would go further especially as you can do some new potatoes/warm bread on the side to bulk it out.

2 ducj breasys skin on
100g bag rocket & watercress salad (with spinach aswell is lovely)
250g punnet cherry tomatoes halved
bunch spring onions sliced diagonally.

Dressing
1 garlic clove grated
1 tsp grated fresh root ginger
2tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp honey

Heat the oven to 200c/fan 180c/ gas6. Score the skin of the duck breasts ans season. heat a non stick frying pan over a high heat and add the duck skin side down and cook for 4 minutes or until skin is crisp ( I find it better t put duck in a cold frying pan and then stick on heat). turn over and quickly brown the underside the transfer to a baking tray.

Misx the dressing ingredients togther and spoon all but 2tbsp of it over the duck. roast the duck for 10 mins for pink, longer if you prefer. remove from the oven and sllow to rest for 4 minutes then slice into strips.

Toss together the salad, tomatoes, spring onions and duck slices. Drizzle over the remaining dressing and serve.

HOt dogs are good for a crowd - buy good sausages and roast slowly, then put out bowls of fried onions, salad, relish, bread rolls etc for people to make their own

Thank you ladies