To ask for some inspiration re: buffet?

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Pills coming at about 10.30, will expect brunch. (Expect sounds awful- they're lovely!)

DP's coming at 3pm.

No overlap (hopefully...they hate each other 🤣)

PIL very "traditional (won't go near a curry- although they insist on a key lime pie every year since I joined the family and introduced them to it!)

DP's- eat anything. A lot more adventurous.

One vegan. (Me. Happy to have suggestions thrown at me for "ready prepares, bung in the oven" main...hopefully big enough for people to try? Please don't say nut roast. If I never see another nut roast again, it's too soon).

The only other preference is that the PILs both adore gammon- I already have a joint in.

Can anyone help me work this? I'm a very competent cook, every one of the guests would be willing to give a hand with last minute prep, etc.

I'm trying to write a shopping list, and work out a timeline for the day whixh doesn't involve me missing the DC opening their gifts from the GPs.

Should have mentioned- I live in one of those places which happens to be near EVERYTHING- I have Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, and Morrisons nearby.

I reckon you should definitely do a vegan curry with coconut milk if you have it - the PIL won’t touch it but the others would and vegan catered for.
Vegetable tempuras are great dippy things and the batter could be vegan

Why did I not think of something so simple?

I'm actually salivating now at the thought of anything that isn't chocolate real food! I bet the DPs would be too!

Tbf I wouldnt want a curry for brunch. Good idea for your folks though.

Brunch - bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. Some fresh fruit, maybe some banana bread too.

Afternoon - vegan thai green curry, maybe cook off some strips of chicken so they can be added if wanted. Sticky rice. Spring rolls.

Bugger - didnt consider your veganism for brunch.

Most onion bhajees and veg samosas in supermarkets are vegan so you can buy them in to go with it? And poppadums and chutney and a salad of onion cucumber tomato mint and coriander...

Ffs!

Obstacle number 1036...

DH has just informed me that he arranged for our cleaner to do her usual clean in the morning!

So I'll have about an hour to mess my kitchen up again crack on before the PIL arrive! Leaving something in the oven while she's cleaning will be fine. I can peel potatoes etc in my bedroom if needs be. 🤣

Tulip meh- I don't tend to eat until mid afternoon anyway, so would only be picking if anything! He'll, if I've made a curry today, for tomorrow, so have NO issue with just helping myself to a portion of that for both meals!

A vegan curry buffet is now forming in my mind.

I already have one of those Iceland samosa/Lakota selection packs...

I may even cheat and buy supermarket naans. OR...is this readable? Our local takeout pack naans into a sort of paper with foil lining...if I ordered some tonight, and kept them in the fridge, would they be ok until tomorrow, do you think?

Skewered meat and veg / and easy to do vegan too then. Sliders so like little buns with pulled beef in it, or you could do “bowl food” so you have stews and curries or whatever and then people just have small bowls of whatever they fancy - it’s easier to cook and still has buffet feel

Loving the idea of meat skewers...people could then get their chosen skewer, bull off the meat, and put it into their curry then!

I have 500g of mince which needs using by tomorrow...any ideas?

Brunch definitely has to be more on the substantial breakfast side if it's served before 12.30. Eggs, avocados, bagels, pastries etc.

I would make little meatballs (koftes) with them - just literally cut up corriander, put whatever spices / herbs you have and an egg yolk mix and form then stick anywhere in oven where you have space! A tomato, cucumber and red onions with full fat Greek yogurt in mini wraps is great and easy. The tomato cucumber and red onion is also a great topper on curries you have

For vegan - some crisp bread with avocado spread on it and that tomato mix as above with some salt pepper and lemon / lime juice and corriander is yum!

For brunch I would suggest the gammon, country style potatoes (cube potatoes and sauté with peppers, onions, Cajun spice mix), pan fried large mushrooms and tomatoes.

For the evening food I would go with curries, you can prep in advance and reheat, if you have a rice cooker set the timer. To save time use pastes from the shop and add a few fresh ingredients. Most can be vegan with just 1 or 2 meat dishes.