Best vegetable/salad and fruit recipes for a buffet?

[franch]

Family party - never any veg or fruit in sight so that'll be my contribution.

Something robust rather than overly sophisticated, though spicy is good for the veg.

Pavlova or something for pud do you think? Not that I've ever made one. Or some kind of fruit salad?

Oh - no nuts, bacon or alcohol.

Pavlova very easy, but best assembled at last minute. How about a summer pudding? Or lemon meringue pie?

Salads - did a yum one the other day. Thinly slice a couple of cucumbers into large shallow dish. Chop generous handful each of mint and coriander, juice of one lemon, tsp sugar, seasoning, good dash of olive oil and a chopped and deseeded (or not) green chilli, give it all a good mix and adjust seasoning/oil/lemon etc to taste. Really easy and really tasty. That was enough for 15 hungry peeps.

Can't beat tomato, white onion, basil and mozzarella imo either.

Oooh and another, I'm on a roll! New potatoes (peeled I'm afraid for best flavour). While they're cooking make dressing (I'm working to one of the bags of charlotte potatoes you get in waitrose) - 4 finely diced cornichon, 4 tbls olive oil, 1.5 tbls cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tbls finely chopped mint and tbls chopped capers. Give it a good mix and add to potatoes while they're still hot. I sometimes chuck in a couple of spring onions too.

All easy, all travel well and all can be made a good few hours in advance.

They sound great boosmummie, thanks. Might try the cucumber one. I often do tomato, basil and mozzarella - onion would go down well in it too I think.

Good point about pavlova. Will keep thinking.

The cucumber one is seriously tasty and all (from 2y to 65y) liked it!

Make sure you use a white spanish onion....unless you want everyone to stink!!!!

I think I'll definitely do that. Many thanks boosmummie.

And just remembered a lovely recipe I have for elderflower jelly with loads of fruit in it. Sorted :)

Do you peel the cucumbers boosmummie?

Morning franch I didn't the last time I made it, but lots of people prefer it peeled, so when I can be arsed sometimes I do.

Just made cucumber salad- YUM! taking it to party tonight.

Used red chillies to add a bit of colour. All the seasonings were perfect.

Thanks! :)