Salads for a party buffet? And general don't panic advice!!!!

[Crunchymunchyhoneycakes]

I am making a buffet lunch for my ds2s first birthday party, is 'just' at home with family so will be 13 adults (bloody hell how did that happen?!?!) and 6 kids aged 7 down to 1. I'm planning a big dish of antipasto stuff, some nice bread and 2 or 3 salad options. One of these I thought I'd make a big mozzarella and tomato salad, cos its easy and popular. For the others I'd ideally like something that can be made the day before so maybe a cous cous type thing or a pasta salad?
I'll probably make some homemade coleslaw too. I'll get some sausage rolls and maybe some quiche too.

Come and give me your salad ideas and your stories of successfully pulling off this kind of thing...

PLEASE.

I have done this kind of thing a couple of times, and it's always been fine! Don't worry, just relax and it will be a lovely day.

On the subject of salads, I am planning to make a Jamie Oliver chickpea one I googled yesterday for friends at the weekend: think it sounds nice and summery but reasonably filling. Plus have lots of tins of chickpeas in cupboard...

Maybe pesto pasta salad (to contrast with the mozzarella/tomato salad) , couscous salad, potato salad (always lovely when home-made)

Sounds tasty, if you can get lots ready the day before then won't be too much work.

My stand-bys are a rice salad or pasta salad. Use either brown rice with chopped apple, sultanas and peanuts mixed through with mayo, or white rice with chopped apple, orange, tomato, pineapple, green pepper and cucumber stirred through with optional chunks of chicken. I always chop all the fruit/veg and keep in a bowl before addiding to the rice so that I can drain off hte juice otherwise it can be a bit soggy. Both are always popular. Pasta salad I just tend to chop up raw carrot, cucumber and celerey, add some cooked frozen peas/sweetcorn and stir through a tin of tuna, add mayo and pasta shapes of your choice. Again always goes down well. All keep in the fridge.

Thanks everyone, some lovely ideas. That JO chickpea one looks great Marian.