Food for Halloween party

[sweetheart]

We are having some people over for Halloween and I'm struggling to decide what food to lay on. At first I was thinking of doing a big chilli and curry with some rice and JP's but I'm thinking cooking it for that many will be a nightmare. Then dh said about doing burgers and sausages but last nigth he said he couldn't be arsed to stand cooking. Now I'm wondering about perhaps some pizza's or something like that. The last thing I want to do is spend ages preparing loads of different buffet bits. I think most people may eat before coming anyway (maybe, although I did say we were doing food).

Are you me?!

We are having the exact same debate in our house. Initially I wanted to do lasagne/chilli etc (and part of me still thinks I should...) but decided that keeping it warm and people having to stand to eat it would be too much of an issue.

Then we thought about bbqing sausages etc but thought really its likely to rain or at least be inclement (we live in the North east).

Soooo.. I think I have decided on:
pizzas
quiche
corned beef pie (its a northern thing...)
chciken drumsticks
falafels
jacket pots
coleslaw
rice/bean salad
honey mustard cocktail sauasages
snacky bits, bread, crisps, cheese straws, dips, etc.

For dessert:
chcoloate graveyard cake
tiramisu
bannoffee pie
fresh fruit

But it could all change next week...

With regards to not spending ages preparing stuff- the supermarkets all have loads of party food in now with it being the run up to Christmas. I'm road-testing asda's mini quiches this weekend so will let you know what they are like.

thanks nas10ybod,

Your mention of chicken drumsticks has made me go perhaps they would be a good idea. I was also thinking chilli / lasagna but then I wondered if anyone would not want to eat mince.....!

Ours will deffo be standing for food and possibly outside (at least I hope so, I don't think everyone will fit in our house!)

I'm planning to go totally OTT on the decoration so want to be able to concentrate my time on that rather than spending ages doing food! However also as it's likely to be cold I'm thinking something hearty would go down better (and soak up some of the alcohol!)

carve out a pumpkin and fill it with twisty pasta in tomato sauce. it looks like a brain

I think a huge curry or chilli (one mat and one veggie) would be brilliant and much easier than faffing about with loads of buffet stuff.

Or I'd go with the idea of a big pan of soup, a pan full of sausages and a pan full of onions and have hotdogs, soup in cups and then gingerbread or apple cake for pud.

Meat not mat!

ohhh lk I like that idea - although it would have to be a pretty big pumpkin for this many! worth a thought though - thanks!

For 'in the mood' theming print out labels like 'roast severed fingers' for the sausages, 'gangrenous monster snot' for any green dip etc

lucykates right on with the brains idea

I do a firework night party for family every year (we only have sparkler, rock on! :o) and I do a chilli, rice, jacket spuds, sausages and pizzas. Not too much faffing there and nice warming stuff.

How do you keep it warm though? And do you serve it people in the kitchen, or put it out for people? Its the logistics of hot food I can't get my head round.

All food cold buffet. Warmth provided through jacket potatoes and lashings of hot punch/mulled wine