Meal for 8?

[yelenots]

I have relatives coming over on Good Friday and there will be 8 of us eating (no young children).
Can anyone suggest something I can make (main course & pudding) The only thing I can think of is a roast!
Thank you! :)

[piggynose]

bangers and mash, with yummy gravy,
well its an option

[venator]

How about an Italian themed meal - massive lasagne with salads, followed by Pannetone bread & butter pudding?

[ethandron]

why not something with salmon? maybe the salmon en croute they're selling in aldi at the moment or something similar from elsewhere? with new potatoes, peas, broc, carrots and some hollondaise sauce. light and tasty. merangue nests with fresh and tinned raspberries and fresh strawberries chopped into them, served with cream. all very easy and tasty, you don't want to be spending your time cooking and faffing round in the kitchen while everyone else is chatting away. i certainly wouldn't.

[DTCwordfan]

ethandron - in my case I would love to spend the time in the kitchen if it was eight of the family. I would be scouring Paul Bocuse, Roger Verge, or Alain Chapel for the most complex recipes to keep me in there and well away from them!

[ethandron]

DT, i wish i still had 8 family members left to cook for :(

[merciasounds]

Nothing wrong with a roast! Why not get a couple of big chickens, or a small turkey, strew with fresh herbs, crushed garlic salt and black pepper - a big bowl of cooked new potatoes (leave the skins on) tossed in butter and parsley, some nice fresh salad, big juicy tomatoes, or make a tomato and onion salad, add snipped chives and a lemon juice/olive oil dressing (put the squeezed out lemon halves into the chicken cavity while it's roasting) you needn't bother with gravy, or have a tomato sauce - even jarred pasta sauce will do for those who want it. You can prepare this in the morning, put the salad covered in the fridge, have the potatoes in a pan (s) ready to boil and the chickens in the oven ready, in roasting bags or covered in foil, that way you'll have time with your guests. Good luck!

[boxtops]

we're going round to a friend's tonight for a big pile of pasta, garlic tearing bread, etc. Would they eat that?

[sammmo]

Its Easter how about rabbit stew. and easter eggs for afters..

[yelenots]

Thank you for your replies.......sorry ethandron but my daughter wont eat fish but I love the idea of meringues!
Mercia....Sounds very nice so that is a maybe!
I always make a roast when they come over so just wanted some more ideas!
Thanks everyone!

[boxtops]

Aw sammo, or lamb ;-(

[yelenots]

My teeenage children would definate not eat rabbit stew!!! :)

[jomifl]

Indian takeaway

[tiggerblue10]

Beef casserole with mash and runner beans and then apple pie or apple and blackberry crumble using brioche crumbs instead of flour and butter?

[Purple_Popple]

Dont make too much work for yourself, buy some ready cooked whole chickens, make a huge salad, provide white baton bread, and any other 'sides' you like, and the night before make a huge 'eaton mess' dessert (meringue, strawberries, cream all mixed together)....done! Enjoy.

[sherrardk]

How about a glazed ham, potato dauphinois (sp?), mixed salad and some crusty bread?

[douglas9401]

What about octopus? Everybody gets a leg. :)

[ummmm]

Are you on a budget?

Duck breast would be nice....and it's easy to cook.

[yelenots]

Good idea Douglas!!!

[merciasounds]

I forgot pud! Make a fruit salad and have a big tub of ice cream - wafers, sauce - no probs!!