what can i cook?

[nextqueen]

having old friends round on sunday, 2 adults and their boy n girl 13 n 14 yrs old. i just dont know what to cook for them. hubby wants nibbly, tapas things, not a full blown meal. if it were just adults it would be olives and boquerones, adult nibbles if you will. hubby says to do sausages on sticks and pizza but i refuse to do ready prepared food, male friend is a very good cook, im not bad so im wary of his thoughts on my food! just dont know what to do as adults and kids, any ideas? btw, hubby doesnt like mince, mashed potato or peas if that helps!

[sherrardk]

Do a ham, potato dauphinois and a salad - the potatoes will quite happily sit in the oven for longer than they should (if you put foil over them after they have browned) and it can all be done before hand.

[beckersjay]

What about some sausage toad in the hole, with the sausages cut smallish so you can serve it in wedges?

[nextqueen]

mmm, that sounds nice, was thinking stuffed mushrooms of some description, and maybe cold then hot tapas but not sure what. what do kids eat these days that isnt pre packed? dont want dad to think ive just bunged it in the oven!

[maggiebee]

Big pot of chilli? Pasta with ham, leeks, peppers etc?

[ummmm]

You could make your own pizza.
Some home made scotch eggs.
Pate with toast or bread sticks.

[nextqueen]

chill is mince. dont fancy pasta or one pot meals though i did think of paella but my rice always goes soggy n sticky, not worth risking particularly as going out for a walk first.

[sherrardk]

My kids are really good eaters (much better than me) but it depends on the kids really. Mine all tucked into jacket potatoes and steak last weekend, even the three year olds!

[ummmm]

My kids eat more or less anything.

[ummmm]

Is it unusual for kids to eat steak and jacket potato?

[sherrardk]

I didn't think the three year olds would.

[nextqueen]

here are my thoughts, what do you think so far? chicken liver pate which i can make. chorizo al vino, boquerones, olives and feta, homemade sausage rolls seen recently on bbc2, quiche, not sure about homemade? potato salad,or bought in wedges/curly fries. what would you choose or add first for cold then hot. people tend to get full quickly eating pate with bread?

[nextqueen]

other ideas more than welcome btw!;-)

[nextqueen]

this is the recipe for your interest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...tally_lazy_mini_98499

[owdhamer]

A sheet of puff pastry with your fav nibbles on like anchovies, capers those mushrooms out off a jar, peppers ditto, sundried tomatos,pepperoni, chorizo, and so on , in the oven till pastry done, bootiful, oh and dont forget the cheese.

[sherrardk]

You wouldn't want me to come round, I only like the bread and wedges/curly fries part of your menu (I am really fussy).

[ummmm]

Maybe mine were just gannets then Sher :-)

That sounds nice nextqueen. I love buffet style food. I'd go for the potato salad if it's a choice between the three. I'd probably do some dips as well....they are nice to nibble on when you're almost full.

[venator]

What a tall order! Not a full blown meal!!

How about cold salads for adults, with a poached salmon impressive dish.

Carbohydrates for kids - chilli, pasta, pizza.

probably find adultsat chilli, kids will eat salads - that's life....

[ummmm]

Prawn toast is also very easy to make....

[welshlibranr]

what about a really hearty beef casserole with dumplings and seasonal veg, mostly for the adults, and then some sausage and mash and maybe baked beans available for the kids, in case they don't fancy the casserole, then you're covering all the bases!..........

[maggiebee]

Are your friends really expecting you to prepare a really big meal. Supposed to be relaxing when friends come round and you sound stressed already and it's only Wed.