• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • General Discussion Forums
  • Food and Drink
Party buffet food?
twingle
08-03-2010
I am doing the food for my mother's 80th birthday. Around 40 people (mixed ages) Any advice would be gratefully received.

I started off thinking finger food but then realise 3 0r 4 hot dishes with french bread and salad may be easier.

Any recipes gratefully received

Thanks
catloverrjules
08-03-2010
Chilli con carne
Rice
Curry
Potato Wedges
Lasagne
Garlic Bread
chattamanuk
08-03-2010
No recipe ideas for you, I see you don't want to do finger food, so wanted to emphasise that chicken drumsticks are a big no-no in a buffet! - you have to eat them with your fingers and you get greasy, and then you have to leave the bone on the plate - messy! I am not a fan

Chunky chips or potato wedges are always a good addition though.

How about a curry or a chili con carne?
sueh21
08-03-2010
Cottage pie/Shepherds pie?

Couple of casseroles-beef in red wine or chicken

or if adventurous eaters Chilli or curry

Do you have a slow cooker or could borrow a couple. Would make cooking easier on the day.

Shepherds pie or similar could be made in advance and frozen then reheated just before serving.

Think that would be much easier than a cold buffet. You could maybe have some nice nibbles to serve with drinks to start.
degsyhufc
08-03-2010
I would have thought it would be a lot easier to prepare a cold buffet in advance rather than try to get hot/warm food to the table.


I guess the dishes depend on the type of party. Is it a sit down meal with a knife, fork & spoon or is it standing around, drinking and mingling?

Personally I do prefer the old standards such as chicken (you can use napkins you know ), corned beef slice, wraps, open sandwitches, chips, crisps, nuts and nibbles.


One thing you should consider with shepards/cottage pie, chilli, lasagne etc. is that they are all mince based. There is not much of a variety between them.


I was recently at a wedding and they had an Asian buffet. Pakoras, bajhis, spring rolls, wraps, pickles, chutneys, dips, chicken wings and dippers etc. It was very nice and made a big change from any other important type of event i've been to before. A lot more relaxed.
anouttedlurker
08-03-2010
baked salmon fillets with a herb crusts are easy to do:

1. make some breadcrumbs, mix with a little lemon juice loads of herbs (whatever you have - chives, basil, mint, thyme, parsley), some melted butter and season.

2. lay out you salmon fillets on a foiled lined over tray and top with the herby-crumb

3. bake for 20-25 mins in a medium oven.
kimindex
08-03-2010
I agree that making dishes earlier might be easier, depending on the circumstances. How about a meze/tapas/Med sort of thing, with pates, olives, salads, Spanish tortilla/frittata, spanakopita, cold meats and cheeses etc. You can have couscous salads, rice salads, dolmades, kebabs, all sorts and buy some of it.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do...m=&filterItem=
cheesenmarmite
08-03-2010
Originally Posted by degsyhufc:
“

I guess the dishes depend on the type of party. Is it a sit down meal with a knife, fork & spoon or is it standing around, drinking and mingling?
”

This is a really good point! Finger food is generally served for the very reason that it is easy to eat whilst standing and holding a plate or whilst balancing it on your knee and holding a drink in the other hand. Unless you have plenty of chairs and tables, I'd stick to finger food.

If you do want to do hot dishes, something that can be forked up easily is a good idea so the suggestions that others have made like curries, chilli etc are good. Will you be able to keep them hot on the table?
twingle
08-03-2010
Thanks for the input guys. It won't be a sit down (Oh to have a house big enough to sit 40 HA!) But the old dears will certainly be sitting down bearing in mind is an 80th and they probably not too kean on Indian stuff .

I do have one very small slow cooker but will ask around and see if I can borrow. I do plan to cook in the afternoon. (slow cooker morning) I am no good at last minute I panic! plus my 3yr old granddaughter (minus parents) will be staying here which should add to the fun and mayhem!!

I did think about one chicken dish, one beef based and perhaps a pork. The salmon sounds lovely so might do that too and then possibly a ham cooked in coca cola. I won't be doing rice or couscous as find it a pain when catering for so many so prob a big pan of tiny roast pots (the way the Greek do them) and loads of french bread

I think I have puds covered and might do blinis and dips for starters or may not bother at all!

ETA I have the offer of a loan of a hot plate which apparently keeps 8 dishes hot so will be glad to borrow of it.
rivercity_rules
09-03-2010
Was at an outdoor party last summer (not a BBQ) and there was a mixture of sandwiches and sausage rolls etc along with a curry and a chilli slow cooker put out. Was the best buffet and one of only a few I've seen almost finished on the day/night.

As well as French Bread can I suggest mini Pitta Breads, less crumbs, less effort for you as well, no cutting or anything. Plus the mini ones don't tend to even need heated, just open the packet and shove them out.
sazzleperkins
09-03-2010
I do a hot buffet every New Years' Eve for about 15 people.

Last year I did a beef in ale casserole, chicken and leek hot pot, a big dish of enchiladas, nachos and pizzas (for the O/H's niece who's a bit fussy!). I also did garlicky potatoes and mushrooms (like a Dauphinoise potato but with sliced Portabello mushrooms in it).

I have a hot plate to keep things hot although everybody demolished the food that quickly I didn't really need it.

I can PM you the recipes if you like. I also have lovely recipes for Coq au Vin and Pork Stroganoff which would both be good on a hot buffet. Let me know if you'd like any of the recipes.
twingle
09-03-2010
Oh yes please but not the mexican food although I do have a nice tamale pie recipe which I may do- you welcome to have in return
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map