Buffet Food Suggestions Please.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

I’m doing a birthday celebration buffet for my DF. About 15 people. Couple of vegetarians. No other special requirements.

I want to serve hot mains, a few sides, and a few cold desserts. All home cooked, at lunch time. I’m a decent cook and enjoy doing it. I do a fair few of these though, for a similar crowd and I fear I might be in danger of repeating myself.

Previous things I’ve done: beef (and mushroom) stroganoff, prawn balti, chilli, lasagne (and veggie versions), Moroccan lamb, blanquette of chicken, vegetable pie, sides of potato dauphinoise, pasta salad, green salad, tomato salad.

Cheesecake, pavlova, chocolate brownie and lemon posset usually for pudding.

I would really welcome suggestions so I can provide something a bit different this time. To be honest, it’s more the mains. I suspect there may be a bit of an expectation around the desserts that I do the same as usual. Though any suggestions still welcome.

Jacket potatoes with your fillings.

(Now my brain full of ideas has packed its bags and walked off! Grrrrr. Hang on...!)

Tacos/burritos
Cheese and crackers as a dessert option
Frittata and salad - quiche, bread rolls, etc
Sausages and mash with veggies
Pasta options and garlic bread
Meatballs and rice/pasta with veggie option
Pizza
Veggie and meat curries with accompaniments

That's all I have right now!

Can I come?

I think I'd like a less sweet option for dessert so any chance of a cheese board.

For mains how about biryani?

paella
chowder
legs of lamb mash potatoes green beans
fruit platter
eton mess

lamb kleftiko and greek salad, new potatoes
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/crispy-greek-style-pie
Above for veggies - fine to pre-do and freeze, use a square tin not round, so much easier!

Lasagne - one traditional one with a beef ragu, one vegetarian
Green salad, tomato salad, garlic bread

Rhubarb or gooseberry fool or crumble, or if it's summer, strawberries, raspberries and cream

Oh thank you for these suggestions.

I like the idea of meatballs, biryani, paella, Eton mess, lamb kleftiko, crumble. All good suggestions. I’d go for a cheese board myself, but a few of the older people coming cater just for themselves usually and often eat cheese for supper. I want to cook things they would not usually get to eat.

The birthday is April.

@Raera that spinach pie looks fantastic.