Hosting with 'nibbly bits' is a total pain

[Itsallfunngamesuntil]

Having about twelve people round to ours for Boxing Day.....about one third of the group is vegetarian.

I've already said I'll just make a huge veggie lasagne (I'm a decent cook). Lots of friends suggesting that we can all do nibbles to take the pressure off me (has been a pretty stressful year). Nice of them to think of me, but just wondering on other people's thoughts on this and whether I'm overthinking it. Thanks (ps I'm not a fan of the word nibbles, but was struggling for an alternative lol)

AINBU - much easier to feed a large crowd with a proper meal of veggie lasagne that can be prepped a few days in advance and you are not up and down constantly to the oven and back to the table again checking on when the 'nibbles' are ready.....it also interrupts the conversation flow

AIBU - nibbles are much handier. No prepping involved n getting up n down to the table is not a hassle

DH and I are veggie and love vegetarian Lasagna. Maybe you don’t make it well @Barney60

I'd do a lasagna, salad and things that take no prep - olives, cheese, crackers, pate, satsumas, grapes, sausage rolls (okay they take warming up), hoummus, and chocolates, biscuits etc. Everyone happy and enough on the table that you should be able to put it all down and not have to get up again!

Houmous needs prepping, unless you buy it ready made. It's quick and easy to make.

Veggie lasagne, garlic bread, salad and cold nibbles went down really well

Most people had seconds of lasagne too, so think it was a good choice for my particular group.......and some actually took leftovers (i had over-catered, as usual) with them to share at a party later that day. I was appreciative that it could be used up.

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and especially to those who replied to main aibu question that doing hot nibbly bits is a total pain lol

Well done OP, sounds great. Thanks for the update.

@Itsallfunngamesuntil , can you invite me next time please? It sounds great.

Ah, go on, tell us what's in your veggie lasagna! I'm going to have to make one...

Well done you. They're a lucky bunch to have you as a friend. Happy new year 🎉

I'm not saying my lasagne was amazing......they were maybe just hungry lol

I make my own tomato sauce. sauté finely chopped onion in olive oil until translucent. Add good quality tinned chopped tomatoes 3 tins, tomato paste, 250ml red wine. Decant inyo slow cooker for 3 to 4 hours on high. Add herbs eg rosemary basil etc. Add veggie stock cube and black pepper

Meanwhile roast loads of veg in oven or in ninja with olive oil until veg has a good colour [and 3 bulbs of garlic with skin on) Eg courgette, squash, mushroom, carrots, sweet potato. These are just examples

Meanwhile prepare bechamel sauce. I use lots of butter, full cream milk and double cream, ricotta and boursin....v healthy I know!

Once red sauce is cooked, check it does not need a v small amount of white sugar added. Throw in the roast veg except for garlic. Cut the top off each garlic bulb and squuze the roasted garlic into the veggie sauce. Check if more seasoning required.

Assemble veggie lasagne. Finish top layer with bechamel. Sprinkle cheese on top and some fresh mozzarella. Put in oven for 40 mins at 180. Rest for 10 mins before serving

Enjoy!

Sounds delicious!

It's considerate of your friends to offer to contribute and I would accept. You can still make a lasagne for those people who like it.

@ellyeth , the meal was eaten on Boxing Day.