Add to my weird day menu

[patooties]

Next week we are having at least 25 people to our house. We do not know if they will be happy or sad (this is a get together where people may be either happy or sad - think passing / failing exam - there will be a mix I would imagine of passers and failers)

so far I am doing quiche, a frittata, a roast ham, chicken pea and feta salad.

I need ideas for ‘things like nice filling things’ that can be left as they’re arriving at all different times.

I will of course be doing bread and chips and dips. Basically ‘what hearty things that can be served cold and prepped in the morning for whacking out at some point would you add to this?
Needs to be hearty as there’ll be booze and then I’m tipping everyone out to go to the local so no boiling on empty bellies.

Sausages on cocktail sticks
Pork pie
Potato salad
Rice salad
Selection of salami, cold sliced meat

Cheeseboard, charcuterie, fruit, crackers.

I have never made rice salad - can you recommend a recipe?

New potatoes - serve hot if you can, but good cold too
Roast chicken serve cold and sliced
Roast veg
Green salad
Roast carrot and butterbean dip
Cous cous salad

Keep it simple - sandwiches, filled rolls, and wraps (tuna, ham, cheese, egg) alongside cakes/muffins, crisps, and maybe savouries like pakora or sausage rolls. Add in gluten free and vegan option - chickpea, sweet potato, and pomegranate salad or similar, and that should do it.

Sandwiches - make them up in advance unsliced, wrap them tightly in film in multiples of two or three rounds and place in the fridge.
Really easy to then keep producing fresh sandwiches when you have people arriving at different times.

Just add cold rice to a salad mix. Don’t think you need a dressing.

I would think of rice salad as any kind of hearty grain salad - I'd mix cooked grains/rice with tomato, olives, feta, minced red onion, cucumber, herbs like basil, flatleaf parsley and dill. You could even add in sweetcorn. Then a vinaigrette dressing. No salad leaves as the grains will be too heavy and weigh the leaves down too much.

I'd definitely make a few quiches as they're so much better at room temp than either hot or cold - if you're making one already, I'd make 3, probably one with cheese and bacon and two that are veggie.

You could do a spanish tortilla, or a strata which is basically a savoury bread pudding, which are always better when they've had time to sit a bit and at room temp - I like these recipes, either with spinach and gruyere, or cheddar/sweetcorn/spring onion:
https://smittenkitchen.com/2014/09/corn-cheddar-and-scallion-strata/
https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/12/spinach-and-cheese-strata/

Similar with pasta salad - much better at room temp than hot or cold, easy to make ahead of time. This one's great:
https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/pasta-salad-with-zucchini-scallions-and-parmesan/
and this one:
https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/secret-ingredient-pasta-salad/
and finally (she's good with her pasta salads!):
https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/pasta-salad-with-peas-and-parmesan/

quiche and fritatta are quite similar, do you really need both?
keep it simple:
new potatoes
green salad
coleslaw
chicken legs

Also this rice salad looks lovely, with a kind of southwestern tex-mex flavour profile: https://www.recipetineats.com/cowboy-rice-salad/#recipe

You can buy tortillas in supermarkets.

I’d do potato salad rather than new potatoes.

you see I'd rather have my potatoes not convered in mayo @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain serve the mayo / dressings on the side!
I know you can buy tortillas in supermarkets, my point was around them being similar eggy based items.

What's the dietary requirement mix? Veg/vegan, gluten free, halal etc?

Definitely no need for more than one each of quiche/fritatta, things with pastry or anything processed pork based. Also make sure plenty of non meat options because you don't have to be vegetarian to want an onion bhaji or salad.

I know you said cold but what about baked potatoes and toppings. You can bake them and keep them warm really easily and the prep is minimal, plus it costs pennies.

Cous cous with finely chopped red onion, beetroot and feta. 😍 wraps cut into slices?

Where’s the puddings?! 🤣 Do a couple of trays of brownies, make them in advance. Use your normal recipe and swap in gluten free flour just in case - guaranteed nobody will notice.

Any dietary needs? I've posted these before but all can be made a day ahead. I know you already have a frittata, but adding to the mix anyways:

• You can essentially throw anything in. Spring onions, tomato, semi dried tomato, ham, bacon, salami, basil, tuna/sweet corn, various cheeses https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/
• I use puff pastry and have made them with pecans or walnuts. Use the cheap brie which holds is shape when cooked, otherwise the ones like brie de meaux melt everywhere! https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a56610/cranberry-brie-bites-recipe/
• I prefer curried egg so replace the mustard with curry powder https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/devilled_eggs_96275
• https://www.loveandlemons.com/caprese-skewers/
• I've also seen these with coronation chicken instead of beef https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/prue-leith-mini-yorkshire-puddings/

Bulgar salad with cucumber, onions, parsley etc.
Lentil salad with pears, walnuts, beetroot and spring onions.
Roasted sweet potato and regular potato wedges or Boulanger/Dauphinoise.
Green beans and asparagus vinegarette.
Mixed bean salad with chickpeas, butter beans, kidney beans, black beans with sun-dried tomato and red onions, lemon and herbs.
A few cheeses? French, Italian, British.

My go to pudding for events like these is a boozy trifle.

Sausage rolls, and some vegetarian/vegan ones also.
Platter of fruit - strawberries, grapes, bits of pineapple etc.
Sandwiches.

Don't make too much work for yourself.