Simple ideas for party buffet

7roland8

Hi - was thinking of having a family 'do' at home to celebrate my 60th. But now thinking about it not sure how to manage.


Was just going to ask immediate family - though I could keep it to just my side and have half the number.


Have health issues so not much energy and don't want to be wacked when the people arrive.


Was thinking of a simple cold plate thing for Sunday lunch for around 16 - something like ham and salad- but then its more a sit down thing so maybe should go more for finger food - but that's more preparation if doing sandwiches or rolls - would probably have cakes form a relative and some frozen desserts.
or was thinking that if asking people for afternoon tea would be less expectations from them for a large spread.


I do enjoy organising stuff but with weakness etc I really need to have stuff just to put out or prepared in advance.


Or am I nuts to consider it? Only have males in the household so no-one to bounce ideas off.

flea72

I find jacket potatoes with different help-yourself fillings takes the least work. borrow slow cookers off family/friends, do one with chilli, one with chicken casserole. Bowl of beans, grated cheese, tuna/mayo/sweetcorn.

Serve in bowls, as its easier to eat from a bowl, than a plate, one-handed, standing up

Fen1

Could you ask your guests to bring a plate of food with them instead of presents? Afternoon tea would be the easiest as even the non-cooks can buy a cake or sausage rolls and bring them along. Just keep a running list of who is bringing what so that you have a balance of sweet and savoury.

Have a cheese platter with biscuits, a fruit tray ( grapes, strawberries, cherries ) and plenty of tea, punch, fizzy, prepared at your end.

Failing all else you could have fish and chips party!

elsien

If it's your birthday, shouldn't the other household members be sorting out the catering so you're not knackered on the day, regardless of gender?
You could come up with any ideas, then it's over to them.

7roland8

Thanks Flea72 - baked potatoes sound a good idea and I do have slow and pressure cookers.


Fen1 - I would love a fish and chips party! Sounds great. Yes I know two people are happy to bring along stuff but not the sort of thing I'd ask the in laws. Lots of cheese platters sounds great though.


Elien - yes I suppose you are right but I quite enjoy organising these things - its just that I don't like having to do stuff on the day or day before if I can help it. And I like to be in control! Hubby not too well either but he has been sprucing up the paintwork a little for me so can't complain.

Dustyblinds

If your wanting to do a traditional buffet, how about making pies in advance on days when your feeling fine, freezing them, then defrosting on the day. Sausage rolls can be bought frozen to just put in oven on the day. Quiches freeze well as well. You could do a tuna pasta and a cheese pasta.maybe a chilli and rice or new potatoes, chilli can be cooked in advance and frozen.
I love organising buffets and love 'party food' . Haven't done anything like this for ages.
Enjoy your birthday, whatever you decide to do.

7roland8

Thanks Dusty - yes I enjoy the challenge too!

Have calmed down now after searching Tesco site as lots of frozen finger puddings or cheesecakes. Also choc finger bics as we love them and crisps and mini doughnuts.

Easy to put out lots of salad with toms, cucumber, beetroot etc, going to do boiled eggs with cheese and pineapple etc.

Meatwise I plan on getting bought mini scotch eggs, probably cooking chicken drumsticks or portions beforehand and then refreezing. Also doing the same with sausage rolls and then just having rolls and bread sticks for people. Also nice quiches that I can just slice up.

Sister will probably do a pile of sandwiches anyway but this time I'm going for convenience. Also my niece is into fancy cupcakes so will probably have those too.

So can put table stuff out the night before and then its just put things on plates on the day. May do some new potatoes but maybe its not necessary so I'll leave that!

Alikay

I do little yorkshire puds (the "basics" frozen ones are perfect for this) filled with pre-cooked thinly sliced roast beef and creme fraiche mixed with horseradish sauce, then a sprinkle of snipped chives to garnish.

jfdi

If you want the male members to get involved make it a Barbecue!

You could probably manage a couple of salads ok, I'd guess. Send them to asda, Iceland etc for rolls, meats and a big gateau, plus any sauces you'd need and disposable plates etc.

They'd probably be ok sorting the drinks too (buy ice if you need it).

We do that here (same type household) for my birthday in the summer!

Xx

UnluckyT

I would be tempted to go to Iceland, depending on freezer space to get frozen cakes/sweet things you can just defrost and put out dessert wise along with a cheese board or two and fruit salad.
Jackets sound good, with a slow cooked chilli. Plus maybe beans, cheese, perhaps tuna mayo, ham, prawns and bowls of salad

UnluckyT

BBQ sounds a good way to go.
If you have a butchers nearby, you could get some packs of drumsticks, wings, sausages and burgers.
I know a butchers near family I often visit have a 3 packs for £5 deal.
Usually has various seasoned chicken thighs/legs, sausages, minted lamb burgers, koftas to name a few of the selection.