Hot buffet for 40?

[Sunriseatsix]

I am hosting about 40 people, 4-8pm. What should I cook?!

Some catches:

• I am disabled and currently still in hospital so looking for super-easy things that can cook in a slow cooker in advance and then just sit and stay warm for people to help themselves.
• I want to do vegetarian.
• 6 vegans, 3 coeliacs!

I had planned the following:

• a vegan chilli con carne (should be GF)
• a vegetable curry (should be GF and vegan)
• rice in a rice cooker
• vegetarian lasagne (GF)
• pasta with pesto and sundried tomatoes (GF/vegan)

Crisps and dips

Cheese board with GF and non-GF crackers (clearly separated)
Some vegan cheeses

2 cakes: one vegan, one GF

Does this look ok? I'm panicking a bit as it looks like I'll only get discharged about 3 days before the party. I am hoping i can ask others to cook but we'll see.

I think it looks great but do wonder if you really need 4 options for main course, I'd probably only do 1of the two pasta dishes or not do a pasta dish at all and swap it for a shepherdess pie which can easily be made vegan and gf without the need or gf ingredients.

Crisps and dips I'd probably switch for corn tortilla chips (lots are gf) with guacamole, salsa and sour cream and mini popadoms with mango chutney as they are a natural side to your dishes.

If you're doing a cheese board add in some chutneys, grapes, and celery.

I'm all for a challenge, but frankly in your circumstances I really wouldn't consider doing this. Get someone else to cook! You need to focus on your convalescence. Get well soon.

What above says

Maybe you could focus on a chilli and a lasagne and then ask your guests to bring dishes to contrast/complement? So someone else could bring a curry, garlic breads, naan etc? The key would be to keep as simple as possible for yourself.

I hadn't realised it was two pasta dishes - thanks for pointing that out!

Good idea also to make the crisps and dips fir the mains, ie tortillas and poppadoms. Thanks.

Maybe I abandon the pasta. Have two mains. The sides (as above).
Augment the cheese with celery, grapes and chutney.

Do I need a salad?

No

ditching the pasta is a good idea

Curry or chilli is enough choice & rice

I would ditch the rice too, it doesn't keep warm either nicely or safely.

An easier option would be jacket potatoes then do 2 toppings, something spicy and something herby. Loads of grated dairy and vegan cheese and a vat of homemade vegan coleslaw.

Instead of having separate crackers for cheese, use Nairn's GF oatcakes for all (unless your coeliac guests can't have oats at all).

Rice will be fine.

I don't want to start a row, but are you vegetarian and will none of your guests appreciate a meat-based meal?

Just do a vegan chilli. Rice, jacket potatoes, guacamole, cheese, salsa, corn tortilla crisps. Those who don’t want the chilli can have a baked potato and cheese. Maybe some refried beans? I’d just stick to one type of cuisine. Also a plate of raw diced peppers and onion to sprinkle on the top for crunch.

I see what you mean, but who cares really? Most of the time a party is to catch up with people - food is just a bonus! One vegan, gluten free meal isn’t going to upset people (especially if they are your friends and they know your current situation!). It’s only 4hrs!!

Food is an important part of a gathering. If there was no meat available and the host wasn't vegetarian DP would be sorely disappointed, for example.

I think all my friends will be fine going without meat for one meal - or not even that, as I've arranged it 4-8pm so they can always catch up on their meat requirements later. About 80% of my guests are vegetarian/vegan, so I'd rather keep it simple, given the additional complications I already have.

I should also add, I don't think many of my friends even know whether or not I eat meat, as we don't when we're together. I suspect I eat meat/fish about once a month, so it really isn't something people will expect from me. Everyone will be fine!

I agree with dropping the pasta & focus on the two other dishes.
Also agree that rice is not very practical over a long period of time.
The problem with baked potatoes is that they are difficult to eat if you're not seated. Unless you're in a venue wheee everyone will be at a table, I'd make it even simpler die yourself and buy lots of baguettes, sliced as needed.
If you wanted more variety, replace the pasta dishes with a cheeseboard which you could put out after the first guests have eaten their mains and keep topping up.
I'm in awe that you are taking this on in your situation. Please don't turn down any offers of help, both for preparation and on the evening.

Sorry just reread your OP and saw you're already planning cheese !!

I would also drop the pasta, lasagne js a faff to make.

How about:
Vegetarian chilli
Chickpea and lentil curry
Rice
Plate of poppadoms, raita, chutney

Maybe bowl of mixed salad (sorry but I think you need something green)

Pudding: lemon tart, icecream cake

I wouldn't do cheese

No it sure what the problem with rice is, it's easy to cook just before

I would do only 2 dishes.

I would do a vegan curry which is gluten free

I would do a meat chilli

Jacket potatoes in the oven

Get a rice cooker so that will keep rice hot just like the slow cooker

This if you must - but OP - please don’t!

Either get someone else to cook or a couple of you get a deli to deliver or order from Cook.

The Deli will do soup and quiches you can fling in the oven, salad and whatever for pudding, which is fine.

If you go to Cook you just order several of the big dishes

assuming you order in (I can’t see anyone else volunteering to cook for 40) get someone to help with heating up and setting out tables and plates.

Please don’t do all this OP, Tis madness

Well it’s about time your DP got with the Planet Programme, not to mention just appreciate it when someone else cooks and expand his culinary horizons, the ungrateful narrow-minded bugger.

For your chilli accompaniment, I used to do halved and roasted new potatoes to go with my party chilli's - it kind of gives jacket potato, but it's considerably easier to eat just stood up as you can spear them on a fork and stick them in your mouth whole.

They also basically look after themselves in the oven.

I agree with just chilli and curry. But I’d not add pulses to the curry as well as the chilli in case people don’t like/can’t eat them.

Do you always post in such a rude, judgemental fashion?

Having a preference does not make a person ungrateful or narrow-minded. He wouldn't stand there and express his disappointment to the host fgs or the rest of the gathering.

A bit like some vegetarians don't always want to find the vegetarian choice is in fact vegan and therefore doesn't include elements they enjoy, e.g. cheese.

I'd just do 2 hot options, keep it simple! One spicier, one pasta. Gf/vegan/dairy free chili then a pesto pasta makes sense to me.

You are admirably brave catering for 40 in your circumstances. Hope you have enough plates (bowls may be better if standing around), cutlery, glasses etc, and a mega dishwasher!
Chilli and curry is enough imo but I'd have caterers in! Best of luck.