Awkward eaters Christmas Eve buffet

[Stealthsquiggle]

Firstly, I should make it clear that I don’t mind catering for various needs. I just need inspiration.

Christmas Eve (evening) buffet (ideally as we will be coming home from village nativity) for the following:

1 * very low protein diet (medical need)
1 * dairy intolerant (also dislikes beans and most other pulses)
3 * mostly veggie (preference, and family adapting to low protein)
4 * omnivores

Mixed in among that are 3 growing teenagers...

Obviously not everyone will be able to eat everything but I am looking for ideas on at least a couple of main dishes that are universally suitable.

Ask the awkward ones to suggest a dish or bring something. I'm afraid I couldn't be arsed if they don't give information.

Pizza and/or veg-based pasta salad with garlic bread? You could have some chicken strips or similar on the side for anyone who wants meat/protein to add to the salad. Garlic bread is a good filler and wouldn't take long to do in the oven when you get back, can distract with nibbles on immediate arrival!

What about a moroccan buffet? Vegetable tagine, cous cous (there are fancy recipes with pomegranate seeds on that look really pretty and festive), pitta and hummus, chicken grilled on skewers or a whole roast chicken rubbed with spices for the meat eaters, grilled veg/salad etc

Fruit salad and baklava for afters

Moroccan sounds good for most.

I may be wrong, but I think couscous (like quinoa) is actually pretty high in protein, though...

I was trying to avoid having to ask (mother of ) low protein diet eater, as I don’t want to make it seem like it is a PITA, but I may have to.

Thank you. I think multiple posters are right in that the obvious solution is to have all veggie dishes (low protein, dairy free) with separate meat which will “go”

Not to trivialise but I just read that to the tune of Partridge in a Pear Tree:
'Four omnivores, three mostly veggie, two dairy intolerant and one low protein diiiiiet..'

I must be getting into the Christmas spirit

Oh and the dairy intolerant pulse-hater is one of my DC, so I can only consult myself on that (recently diagnosed so we are still adjusting)

Feel free to trivialise, CheerfulBnny

I am determined not to be martyred about it - they are my family and I do actually want to feed them well

We have a child who is lactose intolerant, I would never be annoyed it you asked for advice. I would think you were nice for taking care.

Could you do a batch of jacket potatoes with some bowls of individual toppings

Cous Cous has 3.8% protein, less than pasta but more than rice/potato. It's Quinoa which has higher protein, Cous Cous is made of wheat.

Couscous depends on how low they are going.
A portion gives you around 7% of the daily allowance.

There are a few things I have to be low on, which makes eating fun lol. But even at the lowest end, I can still eat quite a bit. It's really one of those things you need to ask the person about.

I've met low carbs for example who have cut down to 80 grams. For me that's still too high, but it's low to them.

Indian would be quite easy -
Pilau rice, naan bread, popadums, mango chutney, vegetable curry and onion bhajis could be eaten by everyone. You could also do a chickpea dhal and maybe even a chicken tikka/korma or rogan josh.

Asian? Lots of lovely veggie Chinese/Thai/Japanese bitS

Indian is a good shout as suggested by PP!

Presuming the low protein person has PKU or renal disease or similar, I would just ask the parents for ideas - if they’re very restricted they may suggest bringing something along themselves. Moroccan sounds fab for everyone else!

If ask for advice on what suitable for the low protein diet. There are often specific things that are ok or not ok. They won’t mind.

For the others, I’d do Indian. That’s great for a mix of vegetarian and non veggie.

I often make cauliflower tikka masala, which works well. You could have meat filled samosas etc on the side too.

Also mentioning as I didn't know this until I read it on here recently, you can now get Oatley custard. I also have issues with dairy so this made me very happy and could help pudding wise

Bread, and oil

@AppropriateAdult - it’s PKD, but yes, they can (and indeed must) have some. I will consult on couscous - Thanks all for the guidance.

So many yummy ideas. I think I need to pick a cuisine and stick to it as much as possible. Moroccan is a strong contender, as long as I can minimise the chick pea content (ostensibly for dairy free pulse-hater, but in fact for me. I loathe them).

Oatly custard we haven’t yet tried. We got very attached to Oatly creme fraiche and now we don’t seem to be able to get it anywhere - dairy free fusspot is one of my DC. Vegan squirty cream is tolerable, too.

I would go for a mostly vegan menu with paneer /chicken / seafood for those who want them.