Monkeys Fist 41697 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Right lads- bit of forward planning here. Day after Boxing Day I’ll be having 15-20 friends and family over for a feed and drinks. We’ll have omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians… a proper mix up. I’m looking at doing 3-4 hot dishes that I can prepare in advance ( show doesn’t kick off until 3-4pm) that will keep everyone happy. ( there’ll also be a little cold buffet but I’m sorted in that front … however, any absolute certs you have here are always welcome- @Meenzer’s chili/soy/garlic/honey cocktail sausages are now a staple in any birthday/BBQ buffet events). I don’t mind splashing out a bit on unusual/exotic ingredients, but this is not a necessity- cheap and cheerful is also good, as long as it tastes nice. Cuisines- there’s predominantly English folk coming , a couple of Sri Lankans, a couple of Septics and possibly some Ukrainian. ( you can see why I’m asking for ideas- ). That being said, I’m quite happy to knock something out which is not from any of the above’s culinary history. Method- I can cover pretty much any cooking style other than sous-vide. Slow cooked, stove top, deep fried, whatever. For serving, I’ve got a couple of slow cookers and a rice cooker which can serve as hot food servers, also a couple of insulated serving bowls, and also a few large tagines and deep serving bowls that can be warmed in the oven. Fire away folks, I’ll probably try anything that tickles my tastebuds over the next month or two so I’m not going in dry on the day. 👍 Recipes welcome, but also “ a handful of this, chuck some of that in” styles will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 32355 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Sausage rolls. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 32355 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Corned beef pie. Chilli. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 41697 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 5 minutes ago, Howmanheyman said: Corned beef pie. Chilli. Didn’t have corned beef or pastry, used mince and dumpling mix instead. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15268 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 When feeding the masses, I always make this from Ottolenghi which is spot on. I stir the rocket through rather than "dotting" it, mainly because I serve it in a bowl rather than "on a large platter" because I'm normal. Also this from Ottolenghi - the onion-frying is a bit of a faff but it's what makes it. Both are 💯💯💯, as the kids say, and (here's the real win) can both be made well ahead of time; the former is served at room temperature anyway and the latter is absolutely fine just lukewarm or even at room temperature, as the recipe says - would probably be fine being kept warm in one of your slow/rice cookers too. If you do want to try your hand at something Sri Lankan, this is a go-to chez Meenz - needs a bit of ingredient prep but then (as the video shows) you chuck them in one by one and it all comes together really quickly. Bulk it out with meat of your choice ( ) if preferred, but it'd be a good one for the veggies if not. I don't see why you couldn't make it in advance and then just reheat it when the time comes (a couple of minutes in a wok should be enough; microwave ought to be fine too but might make the parotta go soggy, I suppose?). Also from Ottolenghi (just buy his Jerusalem book, it's great ) , these are basically just posh meatballs, which means they can be made in advance and popped in the oven when you're ready. (Don't bother with the tahini sauce part, it's more faff than you need during the Merryneum.) In the past I've also made them with the pine nuts roughly crushed and the parsley chopped and stirred through the meatball mix itself, rather than sprinkled over the top - also works nicely and makes them a bit different to your average ball o' meat. I can get you some less shoddily scanned images if required. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawb 4123 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Make a massive batch of Dishoom’s black daal, keep it in a slow cooker to keep warm and serve with flatbreads. Nothing else will get eaten. I can post the recipe from the cookbook if you want? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15268 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 1 hour ago, strawb said: Make a massive batch of Dishoom’s black daal, keep it in a slow cooker to keep warm and serve with flatbreads. Nothing else will get eaten. I can post the recipe from the cookbook if you want? Yes please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 43622 Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 I don't know why you lads are wasting your time here. @Christmas Tree the floor is yours. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 32355 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 10 hours ago, Howmanheyman said: Sausage rolls. (But not from Greggs). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawb 4123 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 56 minutes ago, Meenzer said: Yes please Just at a site meeting mate, will do it this afternoon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinRobin 10947 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 58 minutes ago, Gemmill said: I don't know why you lads are wasting your time here. @Christmas Tree the floor is yours. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 43622 Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 1 minute ago, RobinRobin said: That's drinks sorted. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21698 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 I’d recommend Ottolenghi and Meera Sodha for your veggie/vegan options. They both have show stopping plant-based recipes you can prepare in advance: Pies and salads that are more like main meals. Yotem’s Jerusalem and Simple books are both excellent as is Sodha’s East book. I’ll see if I can dig out some of my favourites from those 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21698 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 I’ve made this for a dinner party before - you can prepare it in advance and both meat-eaters and veggies loved it https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/09/meera-sodha-recipe-tomato-pistachio-saffron-tart-vegan Haven’t made this one but you can’t go wrong with her recipes and it sounds like a good Boxing Day option for vegans https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2022/may/21/meera-sodha-vegan-recipe-caramelised-onion-saffron-potato-pie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21698 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 I’ve made this Yotem cheese and herb pie before and it was lush - veggie rather than vegan but another one you can prepare ahead of time and then serve cold or reheat on the day in the oven https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/mar/20/herb-pie-recipe-vegetarian-ottolenghi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21698 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 2 hours ago, strawb said: Make a massive batch of Dishoom’s black daal, keep it in a slow cooker to keep warm and serve with flatbreads. Nothing else will get eaten. I can post the recipe from the cookbook if you want? another good shout. I tend also do some dauphinois potatoes at that time of year. Piss easy to make and it’s good indulgent Christmas food 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 4580 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 2 hours ago, Gemmill said: I don't know why you lads are wasting your time here. @Christmas Tree the floor is yours. Assuming you’re too posh to give crispy hoisin duck pizza a go, all I can offer up is this incredible garlic bread recipe. Easy to pre prepare and then just bang it in the oven and serve in the tin foil. This used to be a firm favourite at the Boldon Bongalong party’s. Seriously, it’s incredible (as are most things in The Guardian “How to cook the perfect….” series). https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/may/03/how-to-cook-perfect-garlic-bread 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 43622 Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 A garlic bread "recipe". What mysteries could this contain?! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21698 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 17 minutes ago, Gemmill said: A garlic bread "recipe". What mysteries could this contain?! didn't have garlic, butter or parsley. used ginger, margarine and basil instead 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13711 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Just buy a load of Chicago Town Pizzas and send someone to McDonalds for chips 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 43622 Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 I couldn't be fucked with that on boxing day mind. I'm usually sick of the sight of people after Christmas day. Just reading MF's post about all the people coming over was anxiety inducing. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 41697 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 16 minutes ago, Gemmill said: I couldn't be fucked with that on boxing day mind Neither can I - it’s a day or two after. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 41697 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Cheers for the recipes lads, they’re all pretty amazing looking so I’ll try them out over the next few weeks/months. Particularly the mind blowing concept of putting garlic butter… … on bread???? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 4580 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 58 minutes ago, Gemmill said: A garlic bread "recipe". What mysteries could this contain?! Its not A garlic bread it’s THE PERFECT garlic bread!!! Would the Guardian lie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 32355 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Last time I heard the words 'dinner party' as much as seen in this thread I was watching an episode of Terry and June, it was 1984 and his boss was coming around to the house. (I've missed out on so much throughout my life). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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