help with party food!

[ruhavingalarf]

planning a party in June for about 50 people incl kids. starts around 4pm thought would do food at 6ish.

hoping it'll be hot so don't want lots of hot food but conversely don't want curling sarnies either. would like to prep ahead if poss.

love cooking so not put off by a bit of effort as long as its in advance and not during the party. looking for elegant crowd pleasers.

please throw some ideas in

Lots of bread canapes for the adults - topped with smoked salmon, prawns, roasted vegetables, goats cheese, emental etc.

Cut them into circles.

Quiche, Poached salmon.

Salads - Mozzarella and Tomato, Potato, Waldorf, Pasta, pine nuts and spinach etc

Sandwiches for the children! Mini pizzas, mini hot dogs, mini burgers in buns,mini chicken kebabs.

Enormous trifle. Chocolate Profiteroles.

Would you consider a bbq? All the meat could be marinated in advance and you could make a selection of salads and vegetable dishes ahead of time too.

I tend to do Indian food for our bbqs to make it a bit more exciting than burgers and sausages. Last year we had tandoori chicken, lamb kebabs and various Indian style veg (corn on the cob, stir fried cabbage in mustard seeds, grilled aubergine for example). DH did the bbq'ing so I got to relax for the party. And ice cream for dessert as that could also be made in advance.

This year, think we'll go with a middle eastern theme for a change if we do bbq.

Only downside is you need good weather, but my back up plan was to put all the meat in the oven.

BBQ could be a good idea if you have a massive BBQ - or oven!!

am liking the bread canapes idea

also wouldn't have thought of a trifle

bbq out as dh doesn't want to do it. we would both rather not have to do any cooking whilst its going on

The secret of catering for such large numbers is to have everything ready by the time the guests arrive.

Also think about what you can cook in bulk/large quantities. Think Fish Pie, Chilli Con Carne, Paella, Beef Stroganoff.

lol at planning food NOW FOR SIX months away

i love all this stuff tho

its like booking a holiday in advance. something to look forward to.

i shan't be buying the ingredients yet, don't worry

God I don't even know what for have for lunch

yeah but lunch is boring

we have a party like this once every few years. so am entitled to be excited about it.

< hands on hips >

Will you be serving booze?

natch, but not for the kids