What food for a party at home?

[suckmasterburstingfoam]

I'm hosting a birthday party at our house in the summer. It will be afternoon and evening so that people with/without children can come when it suits them. I haven't sent invitations yet so I have no idea how many people will turn up. Somewhere between 6 and 40.

What would you do for food?

We could do a barbecue in the garden, but it might a) rain and b) be stressful trying to keep toddlers from burning themselves all day.

I want to keep preparation and fuss to a minimum. I don't need to impress anyone with fancy food! I just want to spend the time chatting to friends I rarely see without having to stress about anything.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

We just had a similar party yesterday! We did (purchased) meatballs in tomato sauce and had rolls and provolone cheese for meatball sandwiches. There was also sliced roast beef (got from the deli) simmering in beef broth for French Dip sandwiches. Bulked it out with homemade baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and a few different kinds of chips/crisps. Birthday cake, ice cream, fruit salad, and water ice for dessert.

Hot dog sausages in slow cooker (to keep them hot) and rolls.
Big pans of chilly and curry on stove
Lots of crusty bread to mop it up.

Unless you have space or chairs for say 20 odd people to sit with a knife and fork to actually cut food I'd stick to finger food (ish) I've been to parties where the host has laid on the most beautiful meal but trying to stand up and cut a large piece of chicken or spaghetti etc plus watch my wine glass from kids and keep an eye on my own kids really stresses me out!

I usually therefore set criteria that whatever food I decide to do I want people to be able to either to use fingers or just a fork for some elements if they can't perch somewhere.

I leave a large space on the buffet so people can butter bread or make up rolls/construct their meal so when they are wandering (particularly if they have young children) they can just shovel into mouth

If people are arriving at various intervals and will therefore maybe eat at different times I would do a mainly cold buffet with quick cooking hot items you can bung in the oven as and when you need them. I buy the disposable foil oven trays and you can tray things up in advance and then ditch afterwards.

Last one I did in the warmer months for circa 40 was

Sandwich platters from m&s - they do plain finger ones for young children too
Cheeseboard with pate/crackers/chutneys
Bowls of cherry toms
Platters of various chicken skewers/breaded chicken
Veggie crudités and houmous/dips
Indian selection of bhajis/pakora etc - warm
Bowls of crisps
Anti pasti skewers - m&s do them premade or you can do yourself - mini mozz ball, olive, cherry Tom, basil leaf
Mini tarts - warm
Selection of breads/butter
Nigellas ham in coke, mustard and pickles
French fries - oven ones with bowls of garlic mayo/ketchup
Cocktail sausages in honey and wholegrain mustard - warm - serve with cocktail sticks as they're sticky - cook double what you think you'll need and eat some yourself in the kitchen first otherwise you won't get any (bitter experience)

We host a lot and I find the best way to avoid stress is

• make drinks/glasses/ice/places to chill drinks really easily accessible almost set up like a bar area so when people arrive you can make it clear where the drinks are and that they are to help themselves etc. Plastic glasses you can ditch afterwards always good.

• big rubbish bin/bag next to drinks area and recycling box for glass

• prep as much food in advance and tray up where ever possible and stack in fridge.

• if people ask if they can bring anything above drinks then say a bag of ice! So much easier than trying to store loads!

• Empty dishwasher and bins/clear kitchen of all food packaging etc etc before they all arrive so you're set to go.

I know I may sound like a loon but it means that I get to stand with my friends and have a drink/chat etc without feeling like I should be clearing up/sorting drinks etc and all I need to do is bung a bit of food in the oven now and then. Clear up is much easier too!

I also recommend buying a pack of fly protecting domes from amazon - I bought a pack of 4 big ones very cheaply and they've been great for parties.

Enjoy your party!

Oh my that's long! Sorry! In fairness I'm hiding from the children in a bubble bath with a glass of wine so had some time on my hands!

Have done both of the following with great success & suits if people come at diff times;

Bratwurst on the bbq and lots of accompaniments (condiments, gherkins, cheese etc etc)

Slow cooked shredded beef brisket self served in buns with various accompaniments & roasties

A nice idea for veggies/extras are interesting salads;
This green bran one is delicious
gourmandeinthekitchen.com/lemony-green-bean-salad-with-figs-and-feta/

Also rate v thinly sliced courgette with olive oil, v fresh lemon & salt. V delicious & so easy!

Thanks - lots of great ideas! Figs and feta sounds yummy. (I'm going to have to Google "French Dip sandwich".) And Impatientwino's tips on holding a stress-free party are much appreciated! It's a long time since I had a party - and never with kids. Ice, bin bags etc. Good advice.