I'd like suggestions of what to serve for a main course (or full menu) at a buffet dinner.?

Question

I would like the menu to not include anything that needs cutting or is eaten with hands. There will not be enough chairs and tables for everyone so some people may have to eat standing up and won't be able to cut food. Also finger food is messy so prefer dishes that can be eaten with only a fork. Any cuisine style is good. There will be about 25 guests and they will help themselves at the buffet table. I have appetizers and dessert taken care of, just need ideas for what goes in between.

Answer 1

or you could go asian...depending on ur culinary skills...either use premade sauces or go from scratch...thai would be ideal or mix some asian ideas...borrow a rice cooker from a friend altho for 25 people you might need two...this is much easier than trying to boil pasta for 25...curries are actually better made the day before and kept overnight and can even be reheated in the oven which will keep ur hotplates free for stir fries of a few diff types....add some prawn crackers(cooked or bought super cheap at the local chinese) or some papadams (fried or microwave works fine too) add some yogurt if ur doing indian curries...some sliced cucumber...some huge yummy thai salads and everyone will think ur an absolute champ. remember to include lots of carbs as it fills people up...rice...rotti....papadums etc...if doing thai add a soup or two..easily made using a tom yum paste or look up thom kha gai which is my favourite...also some premade fish cakes or other asian delights will be found at a local asian supermarket which can easily be cooked up and really make it more special and go a lot further...good luck with your dinner and well done for taking such a big job on!

Answer 2

If you don't like the pasta bar idea -- I particularly love pasta but for a party of more than 6 I am not too much of a fan of this option, because serving good pasta is quite demanding if you are entertaining and want to be part of the group instead of spending all your time in the kitchen trying to make things as perfect as possible. It's very easy to come up with undercooked or overcooked pasta and any of those would be a disaster.

I would recommend that you make something as simple and delish as beef strogonoff, spicy rice and veggies or salad, all cut up so that people don't have to use a knife like you requested. It all can be put in the oven (except the salad) to serve hot or warm when you all want to eat. You can enjoy your party without being concerned or too busy.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Why do you need a 'main course'? Why not just serve Tapas? Have a few 'grazing stations' set up, and have people get what they want when they want it?

As for finger foods, I think they would be easier. Yes, a little messy, but have plenty of napkins. It's much easier to stand and pop a bit of sushi or piece of bruschetta into your mouth, then it is to try and balance a hot plate or bowl of something.

Answer 4

Chili is always good this time of year. You can use big mugs to have people serve themselves in, that way they have a handle and can use a spoon. Simply have the pot of chili and all the "fixins" next to it.... cheese, onions, sour cream, chilies, nachos, etc.

Answer 5

baked ziti....

ziti macaroni, cook it as package says, then mix with tomato sauce, and cover with mozzarella cheese, bake till cheese is melted, they can just scoop it out with a large serving spoon and eat with a fork; easy, really tasty, and still elegant enough for a nice dinner. :)

Answer 6

i would cook up a couple of pastas, such as mini raviolis or tortellinis. i would have one or more kinds of sauce and let my guests experiment. toss the cooked pasta with some olive oild so it won't stick together.

Answer 7

how about a pasta bar, different types of pastas and sauces.
Add garlic bread and salad :)
No cutting - I went to a wedding that did this and it worked great.