What one-pot buffet dish can I make for extremely fussy guests

[unconditional83]

Got family coming over and there are 8 of them. They are all very conservative / unhealthy in what they usually eat, and so I've no idea what to make. It will need to be buffet style / lap food due to lack of space.

Was thinking of making one pot of something hot with salads. But every time I think of something I feel like they won't like it. We eat very healthy and fresh food often spicy and lots of plants. They usually eat really bland and UHP stuff, basically the very worst of "British" food and the reason NHS is on its knees but don't get me started freezer food, virtually no veg, and for special occasions Christmas they have things like Iceland "party food", crisps, pork pies etc.

What can I make that's healthy and tasty which they don't turn their nose up. I don't want to buy the crappy UHP they would choose as I don't ever eat that stuff and nor do my DC, but at the same time I want to make something everyone enjoys.

My first thought is whether you could make your own Cornish pasties or ask a home baker type to make you come. Proper meat, carrot and whatever else should be healthy enough?

Or just a really flavoursome cottage pie?

Just make a Mac and cheese

or pulled pork in the slow cooker to have with burgers

Honestly, just give them what they want. Make something nice, and also do a tray of chicken goujons. Have some nice granary bread, and also a couple of sticks of white garlic bread etc.

You're not going to change 30+ years of eating habits in one meal!

jacket potatoes with various fillings? Lasagne? A casserole - it’s not overly warm.

The tone of your post is pretty nasty to be honest, maybe there are reasons they eat an “inferior” diet to you. We eat really healthily but there are plenty of people who eat less veg and clearly live to tell the tale.

I think you’re best off making some kind of pasta dish and serving with garlic bread and salad, chicken fajita pasta is a good one and so is cheeseburger macaroni, both fresh and have at least two portions of veg, but also “familiar” flavours for people who tend to eat a less varied diet.

Soup and salad go well together.

Or spag bol, shepherd’s pie, or, to be really exotic, the British classic of Coronation chicken?

I'd agree with chicken fajitas, stick all the ingredients separately on the table and let them at it. Plenty of Peppers, home made salsa, big bowl of green salad to go with, but don't skimp on the wraps, grated cheese, sour cream and chicken.

Macaroni cheese is a great suggestion, you can't go wrong with that. Or jacket potatoes.

Just give them what they want and save yourself the bother. I eat lots of veg etc as I'm veggie but if I'm catering for people who prefer plain food I put out sausages and French stick alongside my fancy salads. I'd rather they were happy and ate then go hungry and be miserable.

Some of them are teenagers still! They've been sheltered quite a bit.

I would just give
them what you know they will eat ,you might not eat it yourself but you have agreed to cater for them, there's no point making something you know they won't eat.

Lasagna & garlic bread with salad on the side, you could do corn on the cobs too?

And?
It's not up to.you to judge what other people eat ,if you feel you can't cater to what they want don't invite people over.

Do you want to feed them or shame them? A plain buffet is very easy to put together, if you want a one pot you could do a mild chilli or you could do finger food - sandwiches, home made sausage rolls, some nice cheese, a baked ham and some salads, crusty bread. Have some berries and cream (or ice cream if your principles will stretch that far).

When I have people over I want them to feel welcomed, to have food they’ll enjoy and for them to be accepted for who they are.

Obviously I want them to like it but I'm not prepared to serve Iceland crap.

I agree with this, I really cringed reading your post. You're hosting, but the way you speak about your guests is unpleasant.

In terms of the buffet I'd probably do something like pulled pork with rolls and salad/cottage pie/chilli and jackets/lasagne and make some chicken and fish goujons for the kids or some pizza.
Have you asked them what they want? Might be easier

Wow. You don't think very highly of them do you?

There’s a huge gap between “Iceland crap” and your very healthy, spicy, veg filled meals.

Fish head stew and Phoenix claws, sorry just joking.

I think the jacket potato with fillings is a good idea. A heap of grated cheddar, coleslaw, spag bol, tuna and mayo. The spuds can just be bunged in an oven and if you have a slow cooker make the spag bol in that and leave plugged in so it stays warm.

Or just do pizza amd salad.

Personally when people do just eat crap and nothing else then they are putting their health at risk.

My go to food for teenagers is chicken wings.

You can either buy sauce such as Nando's to marinade them in or make your own if you're so against such things.

They may well be putting their health at risk, but the OP isn’t going to change that in one meal, better they can relax and enjoy their time together than they get a non-verbal lesson in nutrition.

The thing is they don't eat those things! Cheese, any fresh anything, berries etc,

Coq au vin - it's basically just a fancy chicken casserole but tastes amazing and can be served with new potatoes or crusty bread and veg maybe. Use good wine if you can as it does make a difference.

Just feed them something beige - it's easy for you and they'll be happy.

Make some big quiches and serve with salad and bread?

Shepherds pie?

Big roasting trays with chicken thighs, jersey royals, lemon zest and garlic all drizzled with olive oil and roasted

Lots of very traditional British food can be lovely- poached trout with new potatoes, hollandaise (ok that’s not British) and simple salads, a really top notch pork pie, British cheeses.

Steak and ale pie?