Learning to cater for buffet dinners and not get bothered about it

[attimes_bracing]

Since we have started being more sociable in our new house, I have started to pick up some tips that make this easier because when you have a number of guests round, you really don't want to be messing around with food.  I have developed a number of habits and divested a magnitude of guilt  Using this method, I can comfortably cope with up to about

Comments

[woolymonkey]

Proper lasagna. All the work can be done in advance and in stages. All you have to do when guests are there is stick it in the oven to heat and brown.

Plus, for almost no extra effort you can make extra to stock your freezer with homemade ready meals for lazy days later on.

[mevennen]

It depends what the logistics are, but if we're meeting friends beforehand in the pub, I would go home, put a roast on, and come back in, having prepped any non-roasting veg beforehand. It's critical here either to (a) have a mother at home who can keep an eye on the roast (although the oven does have a timer) and (b) not spend an hour longer in the pub than one intended. It usually works, however.

I have friends who are professional chefs (they used to work at Le Gavroche) and have done some work in a professional kitchen with them as an 'aide' - I could never do this professionally, but it impressed upon me the importance of prepping and I tend now to do this for evening meals, if I'm at home. E.g. on Sunday morning I par boil potatoes and do all the chopping, plus a marinade if it's that kind of meat thing.

Your suggestions are sensible and I will take note!

[dorispossum]

We rely a lot on advance cooking - lasagne, moussaca, pies... Anything that avoids M being kitchen slave whilst everybody else is having fun. In our current (tiny & separate) kitchenthat's a no brainer.

[ivory_goddess]

That sounds very thorough and well thought out. Some of the tips would work for general buffet-style parties too (designated 'dead bottle' place for one...)

[ms_cataclysm]

Having the shopping delivered on the morning of the day /evening before works for me.