Easy but special buffet food

[Jank8]

Hi hive
I have a super judgy sister in law so would love some help on something a bit fancy that I can take to a buffet over Christmas! An easy recipe or something you've bought from somewhere would be fab!
Thanks!

How about taking a cheese board? Very easy to do and loads of ideas on Pinterest for how to lay it out

Smoked salmon blinis, either with whipped cream cheese and smoked salmon slices or smoked salmon pate

the sticky pomegranate and pistachio pigs in blankets in this link are delightful and not much more time and effort than cooking pigs in blankets (the recipe suggests you wrap your own but I just used 'pre-made' ones, the recipe also work with veggie sausages. I've always thought the chicory boats in the same link look so pretty, but I'm not a fan of feta.

Winter slaw https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/sides/jewelled-winter-slaw

Potato salad https://www.bbcgoodfoodme.com/recipes/next-level-potato-salad/

Fig, Gorgonzola and prosciutto flat bread.
Feels festive, is delicious and really easy to make.
I make a basic pizza dough, roll into a rectangle, spread over caramelised onion chutney.
Then top with sliced fig, crumbled Gorgonzola and prosciutto. Bake. When it comes out of the oven drizzle over a little honey and scatter with rocket.

I am one of those people who refuses to be intimidated or put under pressure to "perform" for others. I am very generous though and I would bring the following to the party (all made FOR me and bought on the day/day before). No slaving for me! -

Buy M+S party food/canapes. Lay it out on a big platter. Decorate in between each row of with Christmassy decos. Stick a flag at the start of each row with a description in very flowery language

I like the look of the Brie en Croute a lot! That + some canapes would be my contribution.

Starters | M&S

https://dishedbykate.com/brie-filo-bites/

https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/

You can mix/match different fillings for the above too- smoked salmon, asparagus, tomato/basil/mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes/bacon etc

Mini yorkshires. You'd need a cooking pan with smaller holes than cupcake types ones though. I've also seen them dressed with brie/cranberry or cream cheese, smoked salmon and dill instead of the beef:
https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/prue-leith-mini-yorkshire-puddings/

Stuffed eggs- either curried with curry powder or deviled with mustard. Piping them always make them look much better.
https://www.nigella.com/recipes/devilled-eggs

If you also wanted the outside of the egg white to look fancier too, you can do something like this. I did it once with just turmeric in the water because I didn't want garish colours like this recipe, but you get the idea. www.girlversusdough.com/crackled-easter-eggs/

This horseradish and salmon dip is my favourite Christmas nibbles dish. Okay, it says trout in the recipe, but I can’t find hot smoked trout, so I use hot smoked salmon. It’s always the first thing to go. Also very easy to make. I serve with lemon wedges and some sort of posh toasts (nice sourdough cut into scoop sized toasts) or store bought Melba toast.

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish/baby-yorkshire-puds-creamy-smoked-trout-horseradish-pate/

The nicest thing I’ve had at a Christmas buffet at someone else’s was goats cheese stuffed medjool dates wrapped with streaky bacon.