Feeding People

DueMarch11

Hi Everyone

Long time lurker of the board but now in need of some help / inspiration!

Being 30 weeks pregnant at Xmas I decided that I didnt really want to do all the travelling this year that we normally do so have said that people come to us instead.........completely forgetting that Id have to feed them lol.

Anyhoo I have 3 different days to cater for this year and I dont really know what to do!

Boxing Day I have my mum and step dad coming plus possibly the in laws so that will be 9 adults and 4 kids. Was thinking I would do bubble and squeak (yummy!!), with curly chips and beans, its what we have 'back home' usually (with my step family) so thought Id do that, I just dont know the ingredients / method for the bubble and squeak bit, can someone help??

On one of the days between Xmas and New Yr (cant remember which) we have my sister, her OH and their 18 months old DD coming, shall I just do nibbles? What sort of stuff?

And New Years Day is an open house so about 15 adults plus kids, not sure what sort of spread to put on?

Will need puds for these days too. Soooo, any advice???

TIA

DM11 xxx

Essex-girl_2

We too have bubble n squeak Boxing day, I just tend to use leftover brussels with mash seasoned then fried. But you can really use any leftover vegetable.

On the 2 other days I would just do a buffet, cold meats, bread, pate and cheese and pickles. Also I make sausagerolls, homemade ones are much more filling than bought. We do buy a large turkey and ham so we can have loads of leftovers.

With desserts - we are very traditional, Xmas pudding and Mince pies. We have loads of sweets lying around so people munch on them too. Trifles are always very good this time of year and easy to prepare before (personally can't stand them:rotfl:)

For me I like to keep things simple.x

Pink.

Hi Duemarch,

I agree with Essex-girl, go for buffet food on the other two days. Spread it out on the table and let people help themselves. Possibly use cold meats, sausage rolls, sandwiches and pad it out with salads, coleslaw, pickles, crisps, breads etc. Or go for a couple of hot dishes and pad out with rice, baked potatoes and garlic bread and a green salad. Perhaps for the New Years party you could ask people to bring a small contribution with them to cut down on the cost/work for you?

This thread may help with the bubble and squeak:

Bubble and squeak

This thread has lots of pudding ideas:

Pudding and dessert recipes

And this post has links to buffet threads with lots of ideas:

buffet threads

Good luck with it all.

Pink

Seakay

Definitely nibbles for the open house. As much in advance as possible and freeze it!
Sister OH and baby visit, whatever you would have been doing plus a little extra is probaably the easiest.

stiltwalker

I would definately go with buffet style for the 2 other days but maybe add a big pan of soup and chunks of bread, this is what I usually give visitors as it it easy and can sit ticking over on the lowest light on the stove if not everyones is eating at once. Homemade soup is always a treat and a lovely warming one in this weather and it alway feels really generous and welcoming whilst not breaking the bank so you might have a few more pennies and you can buy in some of the nibbly bits so cut down on the work. And remember the golden rule - if you cook some other wotsit does the washing up!

Kittendreich

Get everyone coming to help out... One brings nibbles, one brings puds etc etc You weren't travelling to save a bit of energy & will end up just as busy! Spreads the cost too.

Pitlanepiglet

I do what Essex Girl does as well.

We have a big turkey and a big ham plus we tend to have a large lump of beef on Christmas Eve. This means that we have cold turkey, ham and beef to put out at each meal plus pates (home made this year!), a selection of cheeses. Then bread, cheese bics and some sort of left over potatoes and veg (although left over veg tends to go into soup), or I make mash or a potato bake or similar. Plus whatever we have left in the way of pickles, sauces etc. I also often make a quiche with turkey and ham or whatever we have most of (pastry less quiche is nice when I can't be bothered to make the pastry!). The one thing I tend to buy are big bags of frozen ready to bake sausage rolls which are good freezer food.

Deserts, christmas pud, cakes (sponge cakes frozen and defrosted), mince pies - either bought or homemade, sometimes those apple strudle bars or apple crumble etc. and, of course, trifle! (made with ready made value custard!)

People always say "you've gone to so much trouble" and I say "don't worry, I've been putting the same food out for three days" and they laugh and think I'm joking....but I'm deadly serious!

OrkneyStar

Kittendreich wrote: »

Get everyone coming to help out... One brings nibbles, one brings puds etc etc You weren't travelling to save a bit of energy & will end up just as busy! Spreads the cost too.

This is what I would do .

zippychick

these threads may also help


Christmas eve - dinner/tea

What do you have on your christmas day menu?

Christmas breakfast - ideas please

Christmas pudding flapjacks

Best Christmas recipes hunt

Christmas buffet ideas


I got them from the main christmas thread - the big index in the first post .