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Party food

16 replies

janeite · 07/12/2007 17:12

Hi - it's dp's 40th next month and we have finally convinced Mr Unsociable that a party might be nice. We're thinking just in the house, with a quiz, music, food etc; nothing too fancy and for a mixture of adults and children. There will probably be between 15 and 20 adults and about 5 children and we'll probably go for a late afternoon into the evening thing.

Any ideas for what I should cook and how much of it I should do? I'm thinking mainly buffet but with some bits to serve warm as well. I'm fine with the sweet stuff (probably a couple of huge trifles, meringues with cream and raspberries and some sort of small chocolatey type things. We may go all retro and do a chocolate fondue for the children too) but I don't have much idea for the savoury stuff. I'm a reasonable cook so want to do some of it myself but I have no intention of stuffing mushrooms or arranging gherkins artfully on top of lovingly folded smoked salmon etc! I'm also veggie, although most of the guests won't be.

Any ideas will be hugely appreciated.

OP posts:
CarmenerryChristmas · 07/12/2007 17:29

Your desserts sound lovely. As it will be January how about a rich, spicy root-vegetable and bean hot pot with herb dumplings? Or you could do bouef bourginon as well as a meat option and serve both with mash or rice?

janeite · 07/12/2007 17:48

Both fab ideas thanks but I was hoping for more buffet type things, as I haven't enough plates for 20 people and we'll probably have to use paper plates! Also, people will have to perch on the edge of the sofa, on bean bags etc.

OP posts:
janeite · 07/12/2007 17:49

But if you have a recipe for a spicy vege stew I'd love to try it for a family meal please!

OP posts:
EachPeachPearMum · 07/12/2007 21:41

rice salad (rice, cucumber, tomato, peppers, spring oniion, herbs, peas, sweetcorn, whatever you like! etc etc) could also do this with couscous
potato salad (my MIL makes it with cottage cheese mixed in, which is quite nice)

3 bean salad (nuff said)

Make jam tart cases but fill with quiche mix- actually most supermarkets have these in the freezer section, and prob cheaper than you could make at home.

Most supermarkets have LOADS of party food inc savoury in, especially in the run-up to new year (around 27th/28th dec) you could get loads of that and freeze it- will be fine in January.

Samosas are actually quite easy to make, and delicious

onion bhajis

Oooh- my birthday is next month too! I want a party now!

EachPeachPearMum · 07/12/2007 21:47

Savoury muffins (cheese and onion etc)

sausage rolls, in veggie saus or mini hotdogs- finger rolls and tivall sausages (sainsbury or holland & Barratt)

Pizza- really easy to make your own, and can make it square for easy portioning

S1ur · 07/12/2007 21:47

pasta salad, roasted tom and garlic maybe?

homemade sausage rolls - veggie is lovely

tuna bean salad - flagelot beans and tuna (don't know what kind of veggie you are )

Pizza tarts - pizza on puff pastry bases

baby spinach salad

mini jacket potatoes or filled larger ones

lots of goregous bread and cheese

S1ur · 07/12/2007 21:48

x posts eachpeachpearmum

great minds and great recipes

janeite · 07/12/2007 22:07

Fab ideas here thanks. Bread and cheese excellent idea. Cous cous - love it. Mini quiches - great idea; would never have thought of doing them in jam tart tins. Baby jacket potatoes also a v good idea.

Could also do -
green salad
Greek salad
cous cousbaby spinach salad
mini quiches
baby jacket potatoes
sausage rolls
bread, cheese board, grapes, pickles
homemade coleslaw

Any more please?

OP posts:
SpeccieSeccie · 07/12/2007 22:25

Spanish Tortilla is a fab option for a buffet and can be warm or room temp. It's not usually expensive to make which is a bonus but I would use a good olive oil otherwise it can taste a bit, well, oily. Delia's recipe is good - you can use any waxy potatoes, Pink Fir, etc.

janeite · 08/12/2007 16:18

Oh yes, another very good idea thanks. Do you serve it cut into small squares, or do you leave it as a wodge for people to cut themselves? It doesn't usually last long enough for sharing in this house!

OP posts:
SueW · 08/12/2007 16:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

janeite · 08/12/2007 17:23

SueW - am intrigued by chocolate chillis. Please could you tell me more?!

OP posts:
SueW · 09/12/2007 01:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

amytheearwaxbanisher · 09/12/2007 01:15

oh make scotch eggs they are lovely

janeite · 09/12/2007 20:18

Wow SueW - they sound amazing! Will deffo give them a try.

Mmm - Scotch eggs - one of the things I still miss after being veggie for over 20 years!

OP posts:
lilolilbethlehem · 09/12/2007 20:56

Coronation chicken one of my staples for dos like this, along with a combination of the various other items already mentioned.

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