Boxing Day buffet ideas please

Xaniwoop

I do a big family buffet every year for Boxing Day and I like to ring the changes a bit but this year I'm stumped! I don't want to do lots of fiddly bits and I prefer things that can be made in advance, especially that can be made then frozen. I generally base it around cold meats and salads (which will definitely include turkey and ham). I also do three big desserts to share.

I'm catering for 12 people (2 children and a vegetarian included). Any suggestions?

Bella73

We normally cheat and buy those big multipack boxes of Indian selection foods as they are good to eat cold the next couple of days if need be.

motherhen2234

Ham is always a winner, nigella cocktails sausages, I also make mini burgers and lamb kofkas as a rule too.

In terms of in advance I've done prawn cocktail nibbles - take some basic prawns, mix in with rose marie sauce and place a teaspoon of it into a gem lettuce leaf to act as the cup.

dandelionclock30

I'd make some quiches, stuffed with lovely veg, definate winner. Very cheap to make and they look good.Tescos everyday Value flour at 60p is a winner here and roast some veg off.
While you at it with the pastry you could make some vege sausage rolls.Get the cauldron vege sausages though as they are better than the quorn offerings.
I'd do some big home made potato wedges in the oven, baked in their own skins, drizelled lightly with olive oil.You can also do some sweet potatoes in to give variety.Serve with some dips. Easy and cheap.

I would steer well clear of Indian buffett food, the majority is made in Thailand and has been in freezers for upto 2 years.Also frozen pizzas are often made in Poland and again stored for over a year.
Fresh ingredients are best.

What about doing some different salads like oranges mixed with peppers and nuts or home made potato salad?

Klug

Desserts for us are always Banoffee pie (homemade), trifle and something chocolately, maybe a chocolate log. Nobody likes Christmas cake or pudding here. Main course stuff - could advance cook bubble and squeak and then nuke it when needed.

daisiegg

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I would steer well clear of Indian buffett food, the majority is made in Thailand and has been in freezers for upto 2 years.Also frozen pizzas are often made in Poland and again stored for over a year

So what? If they taste good, don't make you ill, and you don't have them every day, why does it actually matter?

dandelionclock30

I dont like eating utter rubbish, poor quality food. Of course its upto others what they choose to eat.
If people knowingly choose to eat food thats been sat in a freezer in another part of the world for around 2 years fair enough. A lot of people though dont know this and therefore cant make informed choices.
Also in Thailand they dont have the same H and S standards as here or animal welfare standards etc.

daisiegg

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I dont like eating utter rubbish, poor quality food. Of course its upto others what they choose to eat.
If people knowingly choose to eat food thats been sat in a freezer in another part of the world for around 2 years fair enough. A lot of people though dont know this and therefore cant make informed choices.
Also in Thailand they dont have the same H and S standards as here or animal welfare standards etc.

But again, if it tastes good, doesn't make you ill and (importantly) is a rare treat rather than an everyday occurrence, why does it matter? I make most food from scratch (including baked goods and bread, chutneys, jam etc) but I am partial to the odd pre made onion bhaji and it hasn't done me any harm yet!

I'd also be really interested to read your sources. These - http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/6-Onion-Bhajis-Waitrose/11883011?from=search&tags=%7C20000&param=onion+bhajis&parentContainer=SEARCHonion+bhajis_SHELFVIEW - which is what I'd buy - say the country of origin is UK. Are they lying?

dandelionclock30

Regarding sources one of my friends is a food marketer/buyer for one of the major supermarkets and he has responsibility for a certain range of food products which is worth a million plus per day.
Its his job to know basically.
Its upto the individual wether it matters or not, just because it tastes o.k and doesnt make you ill, may be o.k for some people but not others.It a matter of personal choice.
I personally prefer fresh food made from scratch.
I dont know wether they are lying or not, you would need to ask them. All I know is that a lot of frozen Indian buffett style food is made in Thailand.

sharnad

Mini samosas. Spring rolls are great to just pop in the oven. My ain't always makes a big curry and rice and a chilli and has it on over a heater big salad with some cold salads rice or potato salads are good as well as some cold cuts of meat with pickles and cheeses

Xaniwoop

Thanks for all the help everyone.I must admit I've never really considered where premade frozen stuff comes from but I will now! I pretty much always cook from scratch and definitely will for this as tbh it's a bit of a showing off opportunity (but don't tell my family that!)

I think I'll do at least one quiche (easy veggie option) and some different salads one green, one cannellini bean. I love Klug's dessert suggestions: trifle is easy and yule log freezes but I don't like banoffee so I'll have to think of one more hmmmm......