The ‘Family Lunch’ menu..

I’m a huge fan of Sunday lunch, so it’s always a pleasure to have the family over to share it with us. It’s a great excuse to sit around a table, forget the mobiles and eat nice food in the company of people you’ve known all your life. There are no pretensions here, as most of these people remember you as a toddler.. they might have forgotten other stuff, but your youthful indiscretions are never far away and always worth mentioning!

Sunday lunch shouldn’t be a stressful meal to prepare – after all, it was often left cooking while the family were at Church, with the previously-prepared potatoes and veggies ready to go on as you returned home. The clue to Sunday lunch is right there – preparation.

I’m going to walk you through a simple – but delicious – Sunday lunch using some of my easiest prepare-ahead recipes. Of course you can change the menu – just check out www.eatingforireland.com for alternatives. There must however, be dessert! Sunday lunch isn’t Sunday lunch without something sweet at the end of it!

We’ll talk a little bit about accommodating intolerances, allergies and food choices later on too.

Regardless of how many turn up for lunch, you’ll find that you can usually extend this menu to any number you like.

Let’s have a look.. Starting off with a drink will usually give you a little extra breathing space, and mellow any midday grumpiness. The choice is up to you, but if everyone likes a G+T, then go with it..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr SN is particularly fond of a glass of fizz, or a Hugo cocktail which is Prosecco, Elderflower cordial and Soda water. Make sure that the Cook is offered one too – one only, mind!

STARTERS:

Quite often there isn’t a starter for Sunday lunch. As far as I know there’s no particular reason for this, except that perhaps the Cook was only feeding the immediate family, so there was no need for ‘fancy’ stuff! I’m going to leave you the option by offering a few of my favourite starters, and you can use them or not, as the notion takes you.

• Chicken Liver Pate – 

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/my-chicken-liver-pate/ Always a winner – prepare up to 2 days ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Some homemade Wheaten bread or toast (you can safely leave a younger family member to do this) and a small salad – or even just a few slices of cucumber – and that’s all done.

 

• Soup – oh so easy, and particularly welcome on a cold day. My Lentil and Vegetable soup https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/lentil-and-vegetable-soup/ suits virtually all food choices – it can be vegan/vegetarian too.

 

 

 

 

 

• A light salad: This is one of my favourites as it’s light and seriously tasty: https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/melon-and-creme-fraiche-summer-salad/

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAIN COURSES:

• CHICKEN: My personal favourite is Chicken breasts stuffed, then wrapped with bacon – prep up to a day ahead, keep covered in the fridge on a lined baking tray, then a quick drizzle of oil and into the oven for 35 mins or so. Job done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• FISH: This Salmon wrapped in Parma Ham is so perfect for Sunday lunch – it even has the veggies included! For Vegetarians, skip the Parma Ham leave the skin on and roast upside-down in a separate dish with it’s own vegetables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• PIE: Steak and Kidney,https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/steak-and-kidney-pie/ or Chicken and Leek https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/chicken-and-leek-pie/ – both fabulous, both delicious! Having the filling made and cooled, then simply top with your choice of pastry for the lunch that everyone loves..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE DISHES:

Potatoes: take your pick:

• Champ: Do I need to give you a recipe for this? 😉
• Potato Gratin:https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/my-easy-peasy-potato-gratin-or-to-give-it-its-official-title-scalloped-cream-potatoes-with-rosemary-and-garlic/

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Crush-hot potatoes – The easiest-ever roast potato recipe..     

 

 

 

 

 

VEGETABLES: If you’re doing fancy potatoes, I think you can get away with simple vegetable dishes

• Carrot batons steamed in the microwave, then some seasoned butter (I like a little orange zest) stirred through.
• Roast Kale – 10 minutes work! https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/roasted-kale/

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESSERT: Don’t even think about not having one!

• Trifle – that oh-so-traditional family favourite. I hope that you’ve tried my Cheat’s Chocolate Trifle before now, but if you haven’t, then here’s the recipe – you can thank me later! https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/the-easiest-ever-christmas-trifle

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Tiramisu Cake – perhaps there actually is someone who doesn’t like this fabulous Mary Berry cake, but I’ve never met them! https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/mary-berrys-tiramisu-cake/

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Individual Cranachan: This is an old recipe of my sister’s, and she called it Atholl Brose, but I think it’s better known as Cranachan – that magical mixture of Cream, raspberries, Whiskey and Honey.. https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/atholl-brose-or-cranachan/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget something seasonal, if you’re cooking a Christmas or Easter Lunch –

• Mince pies – I mean, who doesn’t love them?

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/home-made-christmas-mincemeat/

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Easter Cake: This delicious Victoria Sponge, decorated with fluffy chicks!

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/lucys-victoria-sponge/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a special treat, why not try one of my delicious homemade little sweets to go with coffee?

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/christmas-chocolate-tiffin-traybake/

or some delicious Bailey’s truffles? https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/baileys-truffles/

However you choose to have a family lunch, be sure to enjoy it! These are the days we’ll remember..