What do you think of my finger buffet menu?

[jumpyjan]

DS is getting christened next week and I am slightly dreading doing the food myself. I want to stick to finger food so we don't have to worry about cutlery etc. For about 28 people I am planning:

2 x quiche lorraine (16 slices)
2 x courgette & goats cheese quiche (16 slices)
2 x butternut squash tart (16 slices)
Delias jacket potato halfs with gruyere (about 1 half each)
Loads of sausage rolls/cheese and onion rolls
Cherry tomatoes
Crisps/breadsticks etc.

Any other suggestions?

Do you think this sounds like enough food and is the menu ok.

Also was planning on cooking all the quiches on the day before and just serving them straight from the fridge on the day - is it ok to do that?

[LIZS]

I'd do one less each quiche each and double potatoes. Maybe something fish based with the sausage rolls (ie filled vol au vents or smoked salmon and cream cheese on bread cutouts. Also some more salad nibbles carrots/celery/cucumber sticks.

[Babbit]

Will the food be served at lunch time or tea time? if yes, I don't think there will be enough. If it is a snack at say 11 or 3 then probably fine, with a few extras. Also, will there be lots of kids, because I am not sure many will eat quiche/tart (or is it just mine!?)

How about Celery, cucumber etc as well. I think you need to balance with some more 'side dishes'. I am trying to think of some that don't need cutlery...

[LIZS]

"one less each veggie quiche"

[Babbit]

May be cold, sliced pizza? Can be made in advance and most kids I know eat that.

[KnickKnack]

cocktail sausages (can get pre-cooked)

tortilla chips and dips

plain or fancy breads/rolls

garlic bread

samosa/bahji/pakora

Do you have plans for cakes/buns/biscuits/sweets etc?

[KnickKnack]

bagels?

[KnickKnack]

potato salad

Vegetable sticks (carrots, cucumber, celery and peppers

olives

nuts

pretzels

bombay mix

popcorn (for kids?)

fairy cakes

[jumpyjan]

Thanks for replies. Yes maybe I should balance with some veggie type stuff - the veg stick and dip idea is good but do people actually eat that - I never go for stuff like that at buffets but then prob just me.

I was thinking about getting some pakora/samosa packs as they just need heating up.

Oh and forgot MIL is doing some volouvents (sp?)

We have got a big christening cake so was not going to bother with pud.

This is all to be served after the service so is a lunch time buffet. If I fill it out with veg stick and dip, samosas etc do you think that is enough?

The problem also is that my fridge is tiny so a bit limited.

Does anyone know if its ok to cook quiches the day before and serve straight from the fridge?

[jumpyjan]

oh also not many kids just DD and one other and DD will eat most things.

[KnickKnack]

agree with asking a few close friends or family to bring along a few extras, and to ask for use of fridge.

Have you thought about drinks?
extra milk for tea/coffee?

If it looks like you are running short, someone can always nip to the local shop for a few extra things.

[MmeLindt]

I made mini quiches for a week before the party and froze them, they just needed a quick reheat in the oven and they were done.

Another easy thing to prepare in advance is:

Roll out pastry (the same pastry as for quiche) and then cut it into small squares. Put a couple of bits of chopped bacon and some grated cheese on each square then fold together (like a pakora) I also do them with smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream and some fresh chives.

You are looking for these to be quite small, bite sized little packages.

These can be frozen and reheated too, freeing up room in your fridge.

[jumpyjan]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I don't think we can really ask relatives to help. Most will be travelling to come here so it will be a bit of a hassle for them.

Am hoping just christening cake for pud will be enough.

I did think about sandwhiches but they take up so much fridge space. Perhaps I could do slices of nice bread with something on top thats easy to prepare - maybe smoked salmon.