10 people, 50 quid budget, lunch: what would you do?

[WilfSell]

no cooking on the day (only heating up) but easy pre-cooking OK

it's for work so needs to be relatively nice - but don't have to transport it anywhere

needs to include drinks (not alcohol)

Lovely ideas please!

whole poached salmon, potato salad, green salad, tomato salad, For desert whatever soft fruit is on special offer (strawberries/ raspberries/ peaches etc) served with mascarpone mixed with some Greek or nat yoghurt and sugar and vanilla essence and throw a few almond thins or amaretti biscuits. Water to drink: iced, in jugs, with slices of lemon. You could also make home made lemonade for the price of some lemons and a bit of sugar (no more than £2)

No cooking or heating on the day and if you don't have a fish kettle you can cook salmon in foil in the oven

Buy vegetables from greengrocer as they'll be better and cheaper than supermarket.

How about a moussaka, fresh green salad, rice.
Sparkilng water

oooh, like the poached salmon idea. will need a (fully) vegetarian alternative too...

Poach salmon and leave in the liquid to cool - this will mean that the salmon is lovely and moist and not dry. Poach in water in a large saucepan.

Elderflower squash is a good grown up drink.

Spanish omlette served cold in wedges - this can be served with the potato salad and tomato salad instead of the salmon so relativley easy.

Take them to Macdonalds for happy meals all round?

Assuming you have an oven for reheating, then an Italian type meal might be good. We always do a big lasagne when we cook for lots of people and always make it the night before so it's no faff on the day. I find it always tastes better reheated anyway. We usually serve with salad and garlic bread,. Then berries or a fruit salad with cream and meringues for dessert is dead simple.

There are a bunch of veggie lasagne recipes around - I've got a nice one for broccoli and mushrooms in a tomatoey sauce.

arf BB, I would but I might get fat sacked...

Spanish omelette good too.

I like Lasagne, and even make a mean one but I'm thinking cold buffet will be better in June anyway, no?

big pavlova for dessert
delia does 2 gorgeous ones

easy and are much more impressive than they sound

would also be grateful for recipes if you have them to hand, otherwise will google...

and any possible pre-freezing options to save time later...?

You lot are VV good: thank you.

links on this thread by me for pavlova recipes

Potato salad with chives

Waldorf salad,apples,walnuts,celery,in a creme fraiche dressing.

Grated carrot salad with sultanas and oil and orange juice dressing

Mixed bean salad with chopped pepper and a vingerette dressing.

Red onion,tomato and mozzerella,basil salad drizzled with olive oil

Cooked rice,mix of wild rice and white.
Chopped red onion,peppers,tomatos and toasted pine nuts

Boiled gammon joint to serve with new potatos and salad

Sliced roast chilcken

Meringue nests with marscapone(sp) strawberries and kiwi fruit

Mixed fruit salad

Cheesecake

Just in case you want to do the salmon - Tesco fish counter let you rent/borrow fish kettles.

really? good tip stirlingmum...

WilfSell, if you like the salmon idea, here is an alternative I think you will like.

In Norway we serve poached salmon cold. It is not whole, the whole fish has been sliced up (much in the same way as you slice a cucumber, across the short side). Cook in salted water. Chill.
Bear in mind, the fish should be as fresh as possible for this.

Serve with Lettuce leaves, sliced cucumber, sliced lemon, Tomatoes sliced in wedges and low fat sour cream or creme fraice. The veg can be kept separate in boxes.

Potatoes or potoato salad on the side.

It is totally delicious, and no cooking on the day.

Otherwise. A LAAARGE bag of fresh prawns, french flutes, butter, babywipes to clean hands after. A very much dig in social and easy lunch. Nice sparkling water with elderflower cordial.

Dessert, fresh fruit.

forgot to say, salmon should be cooked in the evening the day before, and chill in the fridge.

Handy to know about Tesco fish kettle... but if you are using farmed salmon, cook with good sea salt: spending £2 on salt will hide the £20 you saved on the fish! You need LOTS of salt: the water should taste like salty sea water. Once you've tasted it and are happy that it's salty enough, put in the fish and bring to the boil and immediately turn down and simmer for 20 mins or so. Then turn off and allow to go completely cold in the water (the fish will gently poach as water cools). This should give you a lovely moist fish. Also check with your local fishmonger: they may give you a fish kettle and their salmon will be fresher