Food for summer party

[Perfectionist cook]

I am moving next week (back to Australia) after 19 years in Greece and I decided to have a farewell party in my garden for any well-wishers who want to drop by.

It starts at 7pm for coffee and then continues with drinks and food until midnight or later.

The problem is what food to provide as people will be coming and going at different times and at various stages of hunger.

I decided that a buffet would be best with food that is good at room temperature. I will be making mini-meatballs, bbq chicken wings, grilled sausages, potato salad, pasta salad and marinaded mushroom salad.

I am interested in any other ideas for food to serve. There will be wine and beer with the food but I am on a tight budget and so any food ideas need to be with easy to find ingredients which are rather cheap. Also I don't want to spend hours slaving over tiny quiches or won-tons but I do want some food which is easy to eat with the fingers.

If anyone has any ideas to suggest I would be grateful to hear them.
Thanks

[duonyte]

What about fruit - either a fruit salad or fruit kabobs. Use seasonal fruit which should be less expensive.

I made this for a potluck, it was really popular - Pineapple Salsa . More traiditional salsas would be good too.

[Shirl (J) 831]

fruit is always a good idea and you can make a fruit dip to go with it. People love things they can dip into so maybe a layered dip with some chips or tortilla chips.

You already have some great ideas !!! A variety is good, and people tend to get more hungry as the night goes on !

Good luck and have fun !

[Perfectionist cook]

Thanks for the replies. I made a platter with vegetable sticks and a few dips in the end and the party went very well with almost all the food disappearing by the end of the night - always a good sign I think.

[lauralie41]

Perfectionist cook wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I made a platter with vegetable sticks and a few dips in the end and the party went very well with almost all the food disappearing by the end of the night - always a good sign I think.

Yep a very good sign when the food disappears! Now you need to have a house warming party when you move into your new home.