Buffet ideas needed.

[OrangeVelvetSofa]

What’s on your ideal Buffett table when you go to a party?

We are hosting a bit of a new year party for friends and family and I don’t know where to start. I’ve plenty of practice at kids parties or dinner / lunch type things but we have just moved and I’ve never had the space for a proper party before now.

Any thing I should avoid too?

For me, I hate buffets full of carb. The less the better as all it does is skew my blood sugar, bloat me and make me feel yuk. As much ‘fresh’ food as possible, salads and Mediterranean vegetables, lots of protein and a little of something sweet.

Slice mozzarella and tomatoes in a bowl, sprinkle with salt and pepper and add a drizzle of balsamic - so easy!

Provide plenty of vegetarian options. Don't do just enough for 2 as they'll be swiped by the omnivores.
Same goes for any other dietary requirements.

Agree with the not just carbs post.

Everything (apart from jarred stuff and crisps, etc.) homemade because we love the cooking!

Tomorrow we're having two types of homemade pasties (cheese & onion and veggie mince)
Smoked salmon
Cheeseboard
Cured meats
Homemade hummus and other dips
Spicy prawns
Prawn cocktail
Coleslaw
Potato salad
Buttery boiled new potatoes
Olives
Sundried tomatoes
Fancy crackers and breads
Salad
Quiche

I'm sure there's other bits but they're the main ones.

Make sure you label stuff with allergens if you know any of your guests are eg dairy free, vegan etc. that way you don't have to hover around telling people what they can and can't eat. Do stuff that will keep in the fridge and you'll be happy to have as leftovers. Or buy takeaway containers for guests.

Delicious, but how would you eat that whilst standing with a drink in your other hand? I suppose you could skewer it on a toothpick?

Lots of good suggestions. I normally include a stuffing, cranberry and mozzarella pie. Just make up some packet sage and onion stuffing, add some fried onions, bacon, seasoning, dried cranberries and torn up mozzarella. Get a ready made rectangular puff pastry sheet, spoon out the stuffing down the middle and roll in pastry. Join with beaten egg and brush all over. Bake for about 30-40 mins. Serve on a wooden board ready to slice .

Also a butternut squash salad is good. Roasted squash tossed with feta, rocket and pomegranate seeds is good. Can also mix in some walnuts of allergens aren’t a problem.

My ideal buffet would have exciting canapes. Smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis, lettuce cups with dressed walnut and blue cheese filling, mozzarella, cherry tomato halves and basil on cocktail sticks with balsamic dip, mini Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish, glazed cocktail sausages, filo wrapped prawns, crispy potato wedges with garlic mayonnaise, vol au vents, mini tartlets, melba toast with paté. I don't want to be messing with cutlery so no salad unless served in canape form.

Sorry should have said it will be finger food while standing type of thing.

The OP has clarified its a finger food buffet! Suggestions of salads, chilli, curries etc which can't be eaten with 1 hand whilst standing are not what the OP is asking for.

Meats, cheeses, bread , butter quiche some pastry's sausage rolls etc

it depends how many people but I'd be tempted to do some nachos, quesadillas, salsa, guacamole, salad, pizza, bread, cheese, humous. Or I'd do pizza and pasta and big bolognese and pasta. Burgers and hot dogs in buns along with the beige food. I feel like you need something substantial as well as the cold stuff.

Me three. My ideal buffet would be all food on cocktail sticks. The traditional cheese and pineapple. Also little pickled onions and cocktail sausages. Various combinations so people can choose or avoid anything they don't like.

Then marinated olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Mini balls of mozzarella with a cherry tomato, cubes of cheese with a thick disc of chorizo or a thin slice of salami folded round it. Cubes of watermelon with Parma ham. Figs wrapped in Parma ham. All threaded onto cocktail sticks. That might be overkill but also might give you a few make ahead filler suggestions.

Oops I missed the finger buffet memo! Yes perhaps cube the mozzarella and halve small plum tomatoes and pop them on a skewer

No buffet is complete without a vol au vent!

A really good cheeseboard, with fresh figs, grapes and chutneys and a good range of biscuits.

Big bowl of homemade guacamole with tortilla chips.

Baby new potatoes roasted in garlic olive oil and sea salt.

Cocktail sausages tossed in honey and sesame seeds before roasting. You can do meat and veggie ones the same way.

Bowls of posh crisps.

Yorkshire puddings (ready made) filled with mashed poached salmon, cream cheese and horseradish, or slivers of roast beef, a touch of gravy and a dab of horseradish.

A joint of beef and a joint of honey roast ham.

Mozzarella, tomato and basil skewers.

Good quality sausage rolls and either veggie or cheese and onion ‘sausage’ rolls, served hot.

Blinis, topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, or cream cheese and a sun dried tomato.

How would you eat that standing up?

You can't eat nachos, quesadillas, a burger, a hot do, pizza, standing up?

I wouldn't want to. Nor the bolognaise or pasta.

Oh please. Salad. No one eats it at a buffet. Its boring. Seriously

I love salad, and do eat it at buffets. A bit messy to eat standing up though, but better than spag bol.

New Years Day Buffet

Meaty
Baked ham (cooked with cider, bay leaves, peppercorns etc in slow cooker, then drained, glazed ,(honey and wholegrain mustard and finish in oven) served with pickles and chutney
Cocktail sausages in honey and mustard
Mini Pork pies
Cold Italian meats
Marinated anchovies
Patés

Vegetarian/Vegan
Cheeses
Pizza
Garlic bread
Houmous - guacamole
Mozzarella (pearls) and cherry tomato salad
Olives
Breads and crackers
Cheese twists
Caponata
Potato salad
Vegan mushroom pie

Bamboo cutlery and plates are cheap and sturdy.

A chopped salad would be refreshing and easier to eat than a leafy salad