Christmas Tea

[fluffytowels]

We are going out for Christmas lunch this year but then family is coming round in evening for tea.

Every year I say nobody will want to eat anything, all stuffed etc and every year I buy a ridiculous amount of food that nobody eats and lasts us a fortnight.

So - what to do for the bare minumum without looking shabby (never knowingly undercatered . There will be no left over turkey.

Was thinking of cooking a ham, some good bread, decent salad and maybe a big cheese.

I'd say a big pot of soup (something nice and christmassy like roast parsnip) some warmed up crusty bread, a cheese board and a salad, everything can be made in advanced and just warmed up/put on the table when needed.

ooh, soup.

Controversial

OOh I think either of those sound delicious - I'm sat at work with no food

My suggestion was going to be more of a canape type thing - prep in advance some cold, some ready to go in the oven, but now I've read your suggestions I would go with them!

Ham, bread, cheese and salad sounds good (except for the ham but I am veggie!). Crisps, pickles and coleslaw to go with. Mince pies and trifle for pud.

I do lots of frozen party bits and only cook whats needed, good ham, smoked salmon and nice rolls and salad.
More goes in the oven if hungry. If not it's Christmas day tea.
Of course being frozen it will last to new year or even the DDs birthdays.
Good ham and smoked salmon never survives to be a problem

Ham & pickles, crusty bread and cheese, especially baked camembert.
Frozen picky bits because it's my christmas to and I don't want to spend the evening in the kitchen.

If you can't bring yourself to use iceland frozen pickies you could do pigs in blankets popped in mini yorkie puds - cook them all togeather in mini muffin trays. Cooked beef & horseradish rolled up togeather, filo tomatoe and mozzarella bake.

All V.easy to do but I still prefer frozen bung in the oven bits