Ideas for a cold vegetarian buffet

[penona]

I am catering for a party next week, 18 people (10 adults, 8 kids), half of them are veggies. It is in my house so want to have everything cooked and ready the day before. Going to do pasta/potato/green/rice salads, cold meats, bread, cheeses, dips but struggling for something interesting! Am thinking of a tart/quiche/pie/fritatta thing that I can make ahead and serve cold - anyone got any ideas? Or even any other salad type ideas that might be more interesting?
Oh, and it'll be eaten on laps with fork only (no table space for that many!), so nothing that needs cutting!

Thanks!

Caramelised onion quiche is v nice.
Greek salad.
Cous cous with roasted vege.
Linda McCartney sausage rolls (they are v nice!).
Spanish omelette.

What about Italian-style vegetables ie marinated peppers, artichokes, mushrooms, olives, with a mozzarella ( if they eat cheese or if you can get one without rennet)?

Couscous salads?

Is a Spanish omelette OK cold then? That might be good. Also liking the greek salad, thanks!

Yep - it tastes best cold.
Fatoush salad is v nice - if you can get some sumac from a Middle Eastern shop.

Felafel is nice.
five bean salad.
Pizza - good for kids and meat eaters don't miss the meat.
Do they eat dairy or fish? That would open up options a bit.

Falafel is a good idea. They do eat cheese/eggs, in fact I think one of the kids eats fish.

Any good recipes for spanish omelette? What is fatoush? Is it an aubergine dip thing? No middle eastern grocers round here, but lots of indian ones if any indian recipe ideas!

Indian style things like samosas/pakoras/onion bahjis. I think most need deep frying though so possibly not very easy to make yourself unless you have a deep fat fryer. Ask your Indian grocers for tips!

Sorry my post sounded a bit odd - I started typing it then noticed your comment about insian grocers. Also have overtired ds pulling t my arm!

falafel with hummus and pitta bread
veggie sausage rolls
bruschetta/melba toast with veggie pate
bread sticks with various dips
veg frittata
nut or lentil loaf
veggie terrine

Pakora, bhajis etc bought ready made from an Indian restaurant/sweet centre are v good (much better than the ones in supermarkets). Homemade yoghurt and dip to go with them.

Fatoush is cucumber, tomato (but I leave it out), red onion, red pepper if wished, lemon juice, olive oil, torn up toasted pitta bread, parsley and sumac, which gives it a sweet and sour flavour. It is delicious and would be nice even without the sumac.

If your Indian grocers have panni puri available, that is gorgeous and ideal for a buffet as bite-sized.

Penona, you have to make this . It is seriously gorgeous and impressive, and veggies and meaties both like it. Do it, do it!!

Cold frittata sounds yum!

Do they eat fish? Howabout a salmon quiche or tuna and bean salad. Obv pointless if they don't...

moderately 'Interesting' salads...
Bitter leaves, beetroot, feta, mint and blood oranges
Spinach leaves, crumbled blue cheese, toasted pine nuts, avocado
New potatoes in pesto with rocket, parmesan and basil leaves
Couscous with mildly spicy chickpeas, some mixed dried fruit, coriander.
Plate of roasted tomatoes/peppers/aubergines/courgettes/fennel/whatever's lying in your fridge

Don't do rice salad. Rice is horrible cold and more risky than raw egg as far as food poisoning is concerned.

Everything else sounds fab!

This squash and barley salad with balsamic vinaigrette is delicious and a hit with both veggies and non-veggies.

Thanks everyone! Mablemurple, that tart looks amazing. I love ricotta cheese, and have a local italian deli that does a nice one. That whole series in the Guardian looked really good, there was a nice couscous and chickpea recipe there too, so might make that instead of the rice.

Feel all inspired now!

How about stilton mousse served with crostini or baguette etc. This recipe is a fail-safe one- www.eatthechef.com/recipe.aspx?id=15 Hope it goes well!

I agree with doing a big greek salad for the veggies, always goes down well. How about mini veggie wraps with avocado and basil or a selction of olive tampenades? Amy x

In case anyone is still around, I did the ricotta tart, was amazing, very yum and quite easy. Thanks mablemurple. I also did the couscous salad from the same series, which was equally yummy. Both proved v popular, thanks!!