Hosting NYE for the first time...... help me with food ideas needed please

[worrywilma]

I'm throwing a NYE shindig at home for family and friends. There's around 20 of us and I'd like to put on a good old spread.

I'm doing a massive lasagna and a huge meat and potato pie but I'm not sure what else I should be doing!

If you're the hostess with the mostest, what food do you provide for your guests and what always goes down a treat?

Thank you!

Totally depends if there’s an expectation for a more buffet/picky/party or a more drinks/dinner/games/party night from my experience!

All you need on NYE is booze and fireworks

You need to do a huge pot of home made soup , or stovies .

@Winekg it's more of a party party rather than a dinner party. People expect to be fed, well 😂

@stepintochristmas1 what's a stovie?

I'd say no heavy foods. More buffet / anti pasti style food. Maybe create a grazing table! They look impressive and plently to pick away at all through the night. You can even do a dessert one - Pinterest it for some Inspo! They're abit of a craze at the moment but do have the wow factor when done well!

id drop the pie and make a chilli

Garlic bread
Cheese and biscuits
Potato wedges
Salad bits
Coleslaw
Roasted veg
Couple of cold desserts? Trifle? Cheesecake? Fruit salad? Something chocolatey?

I personally think lasagna at these occasions is so over done, and unless you’re sitting round a table, it’s a big stain waiting to happen.

I had people round the other night and went Mexican ish . I did a roast leg of lamb and a chicken, shredded them both and served with those soft taco boats / wraps/salad loads of sour cream etc. nachos, wedges, cobs. Followed by cheesecake / fruit platter type of desserts. I found I just tinfoiled the left overs and people went back for more later along with sausage rolls/bread sticks / Pringles/nuts.

everyone said it was good, they certainly eat loads !

Lasagne is quite tricky to eat at a party, if you want to do hot food I'd opt for something easy to eat one handed - goulash maybe? Alongside some rice and crusty bread? Can dish up in bowls. I'd serve around 9pm. Prior to that some crisps and snacks. Put a cheeseboard out after the goulash. We once asked everyone to bring their favourite cheese which worked well. Our friends are big cheese fans though!

I would scratch the lasagne

I would do something more varied and people can build their own meals/bowls

falafels, hummus, wraps, shredded chicken, Greek salad, olives, pita chips, some crudités and dips. Basically people can make their own kebabs.

I did do a party where I made loaded fries. That was a winner but I did have to man the fries and keep them coming for about an hour. Was super fun and delicious.
toppings
chili, cheese, guacamole,?jalapeños, various sauces , shredded pork. It was so good.

It's a Scottish dish that would be served on Hogmanay or a big pot of soup .

I like this idea! Did you just have the meat cooking in any sauce?

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/moroccan-style-barbecued-leg-lamb. I did this, but left the bone in and cooked in the oven - 2kg for about 3 1/2 hours

the chicken I stuffed an orange and lemon inside with onion. Then I arranged sliced oranges / lemon over the top of the bird, salt /pepper knobs of butter I think that was it. Then just roasted as normal

served the lamb with fresh made mint sauce and the sauce in the recipe then the chicken with homemade cranberry sauce

The party food aisle from Iceland. Loads of it.

Taco bar sounds a great idea.

I would
Do a charcuterie table and scrap the lasagne and pie