Suggestions For A Buffet Lunch For Twelve

[Mairzydotes]

I'm hosting a lunch party soon, for 12 - 14 people - hopefully we'll be able to be in the garden. I used to do these occasions almost with one hand tied behind my back, but now, at 84, it is a little (!!) harder. I'd be grateful for any easy but delicious suggestions for my guests. Puds are organised as friends are bringing a trifle, and a fruit salad.. but what about the savoury side?
Help, please.

[Buenchico]

Just look for those categorised as 'Easy' here:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/buffet

. . . or simply take the easy way out and take a look at the various 'savoury bites' that the big supermarkets now offer in their chilled sections. (Also check out the deli counters; you might find something tempting there too).

[Buenchico]

PS: People often overlook fish when considering savoury possibilities. How about some smoked mackerel? (Smoked trout is lovely too!)

[Mairzydotes]

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll look at all of them! But please keep them coming!

[FrillyPancake]

I love a buffet. Hows about olives, a couple or three fancy cheeses cut up into cubes, a few hard boiled duck eggs sprinkled with salt whilst hot and quartered, some marinated anchovy fillets from tesco deli, bread sticks and dips, some slices of parma or proscuito ham, devilled eggs-i make mine with some garlic finely chopped tomato salad cream and mayo with some chopped parsley to garnish, stuffed baby tomatoes with pesto just half them scoop out mix with pesto then put back into tomato, a few garlic breads i do mine with olive oil butter and loads of garlic and parsley mixed into a fresh baguette sliced down the middle oven bake for 15mins, mini sausages heated in oven till golden, chopped sliced cucumber/carrotts/avocado, potato salad again mix well while hot with copious garlic salad cream and touch of mayo then parsley the leave to cool, tubs of cous cous-dead easy just serve!!! Good luck. Hope ive helped you out a bitty x

[EcclesCake]

If you are looking to do a fork buffet I would suggest keeping it simple.

You may be lucky enough to have a good farm shop/deli/butcher that sells home coked ham and beef, if so ai'd head to them and buy some sliced meats. To go with the meat you'd buy a largeish piece of salmon and poach or cook in the oven en paupiette to be served cold and make or buy a vegetarian quiche.

To accompany the above you could do a big bowl of new potatoes plain or dressed with a herby vinaigrette, a tomato salad, a mixed salad and then another interesting salad of your choosing.

This menu would be low stress for you and is almost certainly going to please everyone who is coming along.

Don't be afraid of using supermarket stuff, some of it is surprisingly good and if you present it all nicely they will be none the wiser of your short cuts. Little touches like a bowl of mustard or piccalilli with the ham, some horseradish by the beef, mayonnaise with the salmon will show you've put some thought into the food.

As much as I love cooking I am always appreciative when someone else goes to the bother and I am sure your guests will have a super day.

[woofgang]

if money is no object, then why not look at waitrose and m and s food to order?

[MargoTester]

I saw a lovely recipe for potato salad with fresh salmon and prawns from Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites. The potato salad can be made the day before and the salmon cooks in 15 mins or so and then left to cool, it looks really good served on a big oval plate. Unfortunately I can't do links but perhaps some kind soul will be able to do it for me - it's on the BBC website.

[chokkie]

Home made quiche - Delia has a very easy recipe (and you can use ready-made pastry for the base). Mary Berry has a wonderful recipe for a salmon and asparagus terrine (and if you can't get Asparagus, then perhaps you could put a layer of steamed spinach instead - or just leave it out altogether). A cheese board might be a good idea, but if the weather is too warm, then the cheeses might go all melty and/or dry .... If money is no object, then look at Waitrose's "entertaining" brochure - they have some wonderful buffet foods to buy - (I've bought some of these for home - can vouch for their deliciousness!). (the last option has been mentioned earlier, but definitely worth considering. Or if you're happy to pay serious spondulix, then use a caterer for the savoury things .... hope you have a lovely day ... chox.

[mazie]

Here's you go Margo

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/potato_salad_with_fresh_94349

[mazie]

I like all of Eccles suggestions Mairzy. Sounds like you're going to have a splendid day x

[Sir Alec]

Buy a good coleslaw and add some finely cubed apple plus a large handful of raisins. It's lovely! I make my own coleslaw, but there's loads of really good ones in the supermarkets, to save time.
Mini prawn cocktails, made in wine glasses or small bowls: Shred lettuce and put in glasses. Put 2tbs mayonnaise, 2tbs tomato ketchup, 2tbs lemon juice in a bowl. Add 1tsp Worcester sauce and half tsp horseradish sauce. Mix well. Add 200/250g thawed prawns, cut in half. Stir them in and spoon into the glasses. Put a slice of lemon on the rim for decoration. Easy and very tasty, I eat it a lot!
The supermarkets also do large bags with a variety of crisps and those cheesy puff type things. There will probably be some of their own brand, which will be cheaper and just as good.
Buy a few scotch eggs and quarter. You can often buy a variety of mini Indian snacks: bhaji's, samosas, etc and they are often sold cheaper if you buy a few in one go.
I buy a tin of bean salad in vinaigrette quite often. It's very nice and you just have to pour it into a bowl. You can often buy 2/3 ready made garlic baguettes in a bag. You just have to heat them in the oven for a few minutes and cut them up. You could buy frozen vol-au-vent cases, which are just cooked on a baking sheet. Buy a tin of chicken in white sauce, pour into a bowl and stir a bit to break the chicken up, then fill the vol-au-vent cases with it.
It's ages since I did a buffet and I'm having to wrack my brains. Hope it all goes well for you!

[Sir Alec]

Sorry to butt in again - how about a couple of nice ready-made pizzas, cooked and cut into thin slices or strips?

[MargoTester]

Thanks for that Mazie x

[jourdain2]

You've had some really good suggestions - given me a lot of ideas! I'd like to add mini baked potatoes. Use salad spuds, parboil and then bake. Cut cross in centre, squeeze and stuff with cream cheese & chives, or c.c. and pineapple etc.. Very simple, you can make loads at a time in advance to serve cold. I also often do chicken drumsticks, skinned and coated in different things - tomato ketchup, honey and mustard, soy sauce etc. then roasted. Again you can do lots at once and well in advance. Sounds like a good party! :)