Help Entertaining on 2 separate occasions

chirpychick

Hi
Ive got 8 family members coming 6 adults and 2 children (10&12) Ive never really entertained before and i have no idea what to make especially as im not blessed with children myself i have no idea what children eat.
It will be a Sunday lunchtime 12pm but have fussy inlaws so cant do a roast chicken and we dont have a dining table so eating a sit down roast dinner would be a pain.
I am thinking small buffet with sandwiches and things but dont know what to do alongside it?
Also my budget for that is £30.

And we also have 4 friends coming over to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary and i only have a budget of £20. Theyre bringing what they like to drink as we dont drink alcohol but i dont know what actual food to do, one of them suggested a BBQ but i dont know if i can do one of £20?

Any help greatly appreciated.

I know there are buffet ideas and recipes on OS but i dont know what appropriate for each gathering so if you could maybe point me in the right direction if im posting something thats been asked before id appreciate that.

Thanks in Advance

oldtractor

Hi, pasta bake with a tomatoey sauce, with salad. cheese and crackers and celery for afters. also a bowl of fresh fruit and a fruit cake. suitable for both occasions,pasta bake can be made in advance and frozen. easy to do,stress free,looks colourful,nutritionally balanced ,is tasty,and if someone doesnt like something theres something else,eg those who dont eat salad can have the pasta or cheese,especially the children. most eat cake or fruit. left overs from one occasion can be used at the second occasion. enjoy.

CH27

What about a spag bol or lasagne for your friends?

FrugalWorker

Buffet is a great idea. The children aren't young, think of them as eating adult food, unless they're fussy and you can't plan for everything.

For buffet food, if it's cold I'd suggest boiling, or roasting a ham, or another meet and serving it with salads. The meat can be cooked in the morning and served cold. A quiche is cheap to make and a very nice addition. Lots of crunchy bread. You would need 3 different big bowls of salads. Something like a pasta salad, a potato salad and something tomato based. I'd also do a bowl of lettuce and some home made dressings. Base some of your decisions on what you like to eat, what's good value an easily prepared.

If you're going for a hot buffet, serve something that's in one dish, and doesn't need cutting. E.g. Lasagne, Curry and rice - but this breaks the one dish rule so not ideal, etc... Think about what you already are comfortable cooking.

For your friends, if you want to do starter/desert go for something that's made in advance. E.g. Melon for starter. Icecream for desert. Lots of other options, but something that is you can have prepared in advance. Main course, go for a one dish meal. Unless you've barbequed a reasonable amount, I would not advise it. Not terribly cheap (a lot of meat), and you've to do all the cooking when your guests are there. Go for one dish meals, as above. Suggestion for pasta bake is good. Something in a sauce is more forgiving if people are late.

By the way - check if you've any dietary constraints, allergies, vegetarian, etc... Much easier if you're prepared.

Get all the work done before they come and enjoy the rest!

Hadley

Homemade pizza is cheap and you put on what you want you could also do a salad ,a big pan of chilli or maybe soup.For the kids you could do ice cream cones with different toppings.Just remember people are coming to see you that's the important thing.Hope you have a great time.

ragz_2

I'd go for the buffet. Homemade quiche, homemade pizza, salads, pasta salad, rice salad, potato salad. Dips and cheapo nachos.

You COULD do a BBQ for 6 people for £20 but I wouldn't, you'll spend ages prepping salads and breads, turning food and clearing up when you want to be celebrating - something you can pre prep anmd bung in oven or reheat would save time. I'd do a lasagne with salad and garlic bread or a curry or chili if you know they like hot food.

Oops Hadley beat me to it with those!