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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for desparate help re. what to feed guests?

28 replies

MattDillonsPants · 03/03/2016 21:53

It's DD birthday on Sat....we weren't having a get together but DH wanted one and persuaded me.

Now we've gone from having Grandma over for cake to having about 6 kids and their parents over. Plus an extra two Aunties.

Hmm

Anyway....two of the people are vegan, two are gluten free due to genuine health issues.

The others all eat meat.

I was thinking to serve some kind of hot meat sandwich and a selection of salads with a more child-friendly selection for the DCs.....little sandwiches cakes etc

What can I have on hot sandwiches? I need to keep a tightish budget....

We were going to do curries...a big veggie one and a chicken one but we can't think how on earth to serve them.

Any other ideas please? HELP! I'm not a natural host.

OP posts:
KatyN · 03/03/2016 21:56

Sausages and mash. Easy to get gluten free sausages (just look for decent meet ones) and vegan ones too.
I have two friends one is gluten free and the other vegan.. This is all we ever cook when they visit!
K

MillionToOneChances · 03/03/2016 22:02

I'd go with your curry idea, just serve with rice and poppadoms. Spoon rice into bowls, curry on top, sorted. Or simply salads and sandwiches (or soup and sandwiches) with gluten free bread/wraps where necessary.

Don't worry too much, basically. I do a big family meal every year for kids' birthdays and just serve nice breads and crackers, cheese and pâté. It's not a dinner party, they're coming to celebrate with your DD. What does she like most?

merlinalison · 03/03/2016 22:02

Grilled flat mushrooms are great on hot sandwiches and you can add feta for nonvegans. Rice with the curry? Or baked potatoes to tie in with the salads? Or is the issue the sheer number you have to serve? Tbh given the numbers I'd probably skip the hot sarnies and go for a choice of fillings- curry, cheese, tuna, houmous and 2 or 3 salads.

HeilandMoo · 03/03/2016 22:04

What about burgers? just get GF buns and a couple of veggie burgers for the vegans. I feel your pain.

Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 03/03/2016 22:07

I should have said we're in Australia...burgers are pretty much a no no as they're seen as a bit of a cop out. Something you do for DC perhaps. Also can't cook meat on same BBQ as veggy options. Sad

Waaah! Thanks people I do feel better just talking it out! With curry....the issue is more that I wouldn't want to plate up....but let people help themselves but we will be outside.

OP posts:
Sorebigtoes · 03/03/2016 22:13

I serve curry in a slow cooker - easy to rig up an extension for these in the garden as they don't use much power. Just before the meal cook hot rice, put it in a big bowl and don't leave it hanging around for too long and you'll be fine (you can make curry the day before in ordinary pans, then heat up in the slow cooker). Definitely easier to do this than be making sandwiches on the day.

Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 03/03/2016 22:17

I don't have one Sore I was thinking that's what I needed. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 03/03/2016 22:19

I've just seen one quite cheap....it has 5 litre capacity. Is that big enough for say the Chicken curry? The other curry would have to be done in a pot on the stove....

OP posts:
MissBeaHaving · 03/03/2016 22:21

How about chilli?
One vegan & one meat served with a selection of rice/cous cous,tortilla chips,grated cheese, Pitta breads,salads,sour cream,French stick.
If you make a veggie cous cous & rice people can also help themselves to the accompanying bits if they don't fancy chilli.

Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 03/03/2016 22:23

Having thought about it I will get the slow cooker as suggested by Sore and do curry. Mainly because I like it :D and so do most of our friends.

It will be useful to have a slow cooker and the one I'm looking at is cheap!

OP posts:
MissBeaHaving · 03/03/2016 22:25

My slow cooker is 6l and its huge,it's plenty big enough.
I'd recommend the sear&stew as it saves time/dishes with being able to go on the hob & meals don't end up watery like some of them do.

MissBeaHaving · 03/03/2016 22:27

Can't fault a curry op!
I made a gorgeous Thai green curry with a new recipe today,even Dh was impressed & he's a fussy one.

purplebaglady · 03/03/2016 22:28

I used to get this with lots of family descending. I love large gatherings. Stick with your curry idea, it's much easier to serve people curry and quicker too giving more time with guests. Chickpea korma is gorgeous, inexpensive and vegan and gluten free if you use coconut cream rather than ordinary cream. Do a choice of jacket potatoes and rice (also vegan and gluten free) and if you have small space, maybe feed the children first the adults can sit afterwards in peace. Good luck Smile

MillionToOneChances · 03/03/2016 23:19

Just leave bowls and ladles to serve the curry with. I have a lovely silicone ladle to use on non-stick.

Blondie1984 · 04/03/2016 00:32

Will you make the cakes with vegan friendly products? I.e no butter, no eggs etc.....

Rainatnight · 04/03/2016 00:43

It's her DD's birthday. If the DD isn't vegan then I say anything goes with the cake. The vegans will just have to skip it.

Blondie1984 · 04/03/2016 01:15

Fair enough but I would at least get something sweet they CAN have - and for the gluten free lot ....

Blondie1984 · 04/03/2016 01:16

Fresh fruit and coconut ice cream maybe?

Rainatnight · 04/03/2016 01:24

OP is on a tight budget and is being descended on by a load of relatives. Fruit, maybe, if she has some around. But maybe she's a nicer person than me

Rainatnight · 04/03/2016 01:25

And something for the gluten free lot, who've not chosen their fate...

Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 04/03/2016 06:06

Blondie yes...I have ONE recipie for a Vegan gluten free chocolate traybake. That's all I'm making. I also have to make one for DD to take to school on Monday as her class is full of hippy kids has a number of vegans and gluten free children.

I did consider fruit salad but it's bloody expensive. SO....we have shop bought cakes and biscuits for the regular eaters, one gluten free vegan home made thing for that lot...and a birthday cake. Which the GFs and Vs can't eat but that doesn't include any of the kids so that's all that matters! Grin

Thanks all so much for the advice.

OP posts:
PennyDropt · 04/03/2016 06:17

Check any stock cubes are gluten free though you prob don't need them in a curry.

MaitlandGirl · 04/03/2016 06:21

Don't forget Fairy Bread - Tip Top The One bread is vegan and the Coke own gluten free multigrain loaf is really nice (for the GF).

Original poster
MattDillonsPants · 04/03/2016 06:33

Penny I don't use them in curry....

Bugger the fairy bread! What an awful thing it is. Bah humbug! There's a bakery up the road with gluten free bread. I'll have to visit them.

OP posts:
cherrytree63 · 04/03/2016 06:43

Sorry for hijacking your post OP, Blush....
purplebaglady I had a quick google for chickpea korma,recipes, they all had about 60squillion ingredients! Do you have a simple recipe that the OP Smile and I can use?