Hosting a long lunch? Here’s how to create a stress-free menu packed with flavour while saving you time in the kitchen!

I love a good long lazy lunch – there is something about finally sitting down and enjoying fabulous food with friends and family that fills me with so much joy.

I am not massively organised in my day to day admin life but when it comes to planning menus and sourcing great produce, I am pretty efficient, partly because when one finally manage to get everyone together, I actually want to sit down and have a proper catch up.

After many years of hosting supperclubs, long-table events and lazy lunches, here are some key things that I have learned (or decided) along the way.

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Cook most of the dishes the day before

I cook and prep as much as I can the day (or two) before, that includes:

  • cooking full recipes ahead when possible
  • making salad dressings and sauces
  • prepping & peeling any veg or salads
  • finishing garnishes which might include roasting nuts & chopping herbs (not basil, it goes black)

Apart from quick sides and assembling salads, there is very little cooking on the day of the lunch. Sure, I might pop things in the oven but I don’t count that as ‘active’ cooking as my hands are free to do other things like setting the table.

Plan your menu according to your present effort level and time constraints

I have plenty of low effort dishes here on my website which are still delicious but gives you a break when you need it (see 30 minutes meals).

Life gets busy and there are times when you might be torn between wishing you did not plan the lunch but still want to see everyone. Planning to make a gnocchi from scratch when you are fatigued is not a great idea, rather decide to cook a one pan gorgeous lasagne that you can perk up with a fantastic shop-bought things like a good sourdough bread, lovely parmesan, deli pesto and make a simple green salad.

Variety is the spice of life

I love a table with a variety of things to choose, but variety does not equal effort, you can cook a few things and buy a few things. I normally have the following on my table when hosting a lunch:

  • a big main,
  • 2 sides (one hot, one salad) and a
  • sauce or dip of some sort.

Tell people not to be early

Nothing is more annoying (sorry but true) than lovely friends pitching 30 minutes before the said ‘start’ time – be specific.

Not all food needs to be piping hot

Serving mains warm (not hot) for lunch is absolutely accessible, especially if the weather is hot outside. Supper is a bit different I agree.

I love the flexibility of Middle Eastern dishes which are super flexible when it comes to serving them at room temperature. I have a Middle Eastern category on my ‘all recipes‘ page, simply ‘tick’ Middle Eastern and ‘voila’.

 A Good Lunch for 4 (with leftovers)

This lunch is the sort of spread that I would love to sit down to. It’s crunchy, interesting, full of different flavours and it looks a treat.

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Members: I have attached the shopping list PDF to the spanakopita recipe.

Why I love this menu – Make Ahead Magic:

  1. The filling of the spanakopita can be made a day ahead. Simply fill (inside layers of buttery filo!) and bake in the morning. The pie can be served at room temperature, in fact, it’s advised to let the pie ‘sit’ for at least 30min before serving. It makes excellent leftovers!
  2. Roast the grapes the day ahead for the salad, make the dressing and toast the nuts. Buy a shop-bought watercress & rocket salad leaf pack but do only wash the fennel before serving.
  3. Finish the pepper recipe a day before, the peppers will taste so much better the following day. Don’t add the herbs. Simply put in the fridge after baking and roasting and bring to room temperature on the day of serving. Zoosh up with olive oil and fresh herbs.
  4. The broccolini dish is so simple its child splay to make on the day. Top and tail veggies the day before but that is pretty much it.

Now I know you are thinking what is for dessert – tbh I am not a massive dessert person but I get that other people are!

My fav desserts!

Food Photo Gallery!