Buffet lunch for new mums - wld love some ideas

[sweetieaddict]

A couple of friends have just had children so I have invited them for lunch this weekend. I want it to be casual and help yourself rather than a sit down lunch as they will have their hands full. This is what I have so far, any other suggestions gratefully welcome....

Bubbles on arrival!
Warm Bread
Cold Ham
Olives
Salad
Carrot sticks with Hummus
Crisps
Warm Sausage Rolls?

That's it so far....

What a lovely idea. Some stuff you can eat with one hand would also be a good idea, like pizza slices or canapes such as smoked salmon on oatcakes. Do you know if there's anything they've been missing when pg, such as pate?

Well done BlueChampagne - how could I forget smoked salmon? Could tear strips of it into warm, creamy penne as an optional hot dish...

Might do a cheese board too as they will have missed their soft cheeses during pg.

Hopefully that will be suffice, feel like I could do with another meat offering but not keen on roasting a chicken as I will cook the ham in the morning...

If they're bfing then have a non alcoholic drink available and also plenty of cake/chocolate otherwise agree with things you can easily eat one handed.

Why can't they have the bubbles if they are bfing?

most people don't drink and breastfeed (imo), so offering something non alcoholic but nice. maybe sparkling elderflower?

Cake.cake.cake.cake

Oh and a little bit of cake, just in case someone fancies something different

Most people I know drink and breast feed! Particularly champagne.

Obviously not to excess, but then I don't know anyone with a small baby who likes to get hammered :)

Sounds lovely OP. Can I come? DD is 20 mo and would only temporarily wreck your house!

Bfing and alcohol is fine as long as you don't overdo it.

Hope your lunch went well [hsmile]

yes i know its fine, obviously not in excess. but new (maybe first time mothers) will often not drink, so maybe an alterative

I did this once. I did baked brie and Camembert to serve with warm bread. You can make your own or get the part baked ones.

Also pâté, olives, balsamic vinegar and oil etc.

Sushi

Cold meats, tiger prawns and smoked salmon with coleslaw, Caesar salad, pickled cabbage, pickled onions, beetroot, chutney, sundried tomatoes.

Cheeseboard with grapes, celery, carrot, cucumber sticks and some blue cheese and garlic mayo dips.

Hot pasta dish with clams, mussels and oysters.

For cold meats you can do ham, salami, chorizo, a nice rare piece of beef etc.

A homemade ice cream, sorbet, souffle, unbaked cheesecake, tiramasu, mousse etc is a good idea for dessert if they've been missing things with raw egg in.

Hi just checing back into this thread - thanks for all the responses. In the end we had:

Champagne first (one glass each for mums) two for me
Sparkling rose (one mum had a glass) and I had erm....

Both b'feeding and very responsible, but had no problem with the bubbles - it is fine to have a glass of something alcoholic when b'feeding: www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/958.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=135#close

Anyway, back to the food, we all enjoyed:

Selection of hummus dips with warm pitta strips
Tortilla chips
Carrot battons
Warm ham (Oh this was beautiful....)
Cold Smoked Salmon
Warm part baked baguettes with garlic butter which just melted into them (am getting so hungry now)
Cheeseboard and crackers
Mixed Salad
Chorizo/Salami Platter
Stuffed Olives
Warm Sausage Rolls
Beetroot and Coleslaw

Then staggered over to the sofa and had tea and coffee and offered an eclair, which was a job to eat but managed!

Thoroughly enjoyed all the leftovers for dinner that eve and lunch next day..

Btw, the babies slept beautifully and allowed us all to eat in peace - utter bliss...

Sounds lovely, can I come next time?