Buffet Food
If you're planning a party or have friends coming over for lunch or dinner then a cold buffet is a good choice especially if you want to be the host with the most and not a sweaty chef leaning over a hot oven for the evening. Here are some suggestions that are relatively easy to prepare and could be made in advance.
Mini Quiches
There are great and can be made using a whole host of savoury ingredients such as Stilton and fried leeks, caramelised red onion and goats cheese, cheddar and onion with herbs, sundried tomato, feta cheese and basil, spinach and wensleydale.
The basic recipe for the egg quiche is normally about 400ml of double cream to 4 eggs. Buy some ready made shortcrust pastry, line a flan tin for a large quiche or cut out large enough circles to line a muffin tin and make lots of small quiches (which is what I did). Put the cheese and other fillings in each case then pour in the liquid of cream and eggs and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Chicken Kebabs
These are so simple are look really tasty. Simply get some boned and skinned chicken breast, cut in to chunks and marinate in a blend of lime juice and zest, a little olive oil, some lemon thyme (in season at the moment) and finally, some toasted sesame seeds. Leave to marinate for about an hour then feed about 3 chunks each on to a skewer and cook in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with some hummus or yoghurt dip.
Lamb Kofte
Mix some lamb mince with grated onion, chopped thyme, salt and coarse ground black pepper, paprika and a little chilli if you wish. Leave for about an hour then form into middle finger size koftes. Cook in the oven and then push skewers into each one for an effective finish. Serve with hummus, salad and cous cous.
Accompaniments
There are many things you can do but I've always found things such as Roasted vegetable cous cous with toasted pine nuts always goes down really well. As well as Potato salad using jersey royal potatoes (in season now) and dressed with a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing seasoned with salt, pepper and chives or parsley. Avoid things such as rice as once it is served bacteria can form quite quickly and you don't want all your guests getting ill! Also, things such as pasta salads can work but I find they go a little stodgy later in the day and don't look that great. Try serving Rocket leaves mixed with other lettuce leaf and drizzled with some balsamic glaze and topped with shavings of parmesan. Likewise a salad with toasted seeds and nuts and pomegranate can also work really well.
