Weddings, birthdays, baptisms ... Summer is perfect for receptions. Failing to call on a caterer, the more daring can prepare their buffet themselves thanks to our advice.
The first element to master is quantity. On average, for each person, 18 pieces are needed, half of which are savory and the other sweet. You don't need to start making dozens of petit fours. You can simply cook simple dishes, to share, like croque-monsieur.
Snacks to share
To cook croque-monsieur, you must first make the béchamel. Melt 100 grams of butter over low heat then add 100 grams of flour. When the mixture is homogeneous, then pour milk little by little while whisking continuously because the cream must thicken. Finish your sauce with salt and grated nutmeg.
Then take two slices of bread. On each of them, spread the béchamel and add 200 grams of grated Comté. On one of the two slices, add ham and close the croque-monsieur with the other part. The greediest can then spread béchamel on the slice of bread above. Then bake in the oven for a dozen minutes. When your croque monsieur is ready, cut them into four: your four cocktail pieces are ready.
It is possible to vary the recipes according to your desires. Dried mixed tomatoes can, for example, replace béchamel, raw ham can replace white ham and parmesan cheese with Comté.
Cold cuts and salads
In the absence of cold roast beef that is out of fashion, cold cuts or cheeses will be more suitable. Each of your guests can serve themselves several times. These boards can be accompanied by whole salads, composed of quinoa or pasta, tomatoes and peppers. You can also add fresh goat cheese or county shavings.
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Donuts with herbs
The most determined can start making donuts with fresh herbs. Chop several fresh aromatic herbs like basil, tarragon, thyme or coriander and mix everything together. Then make a light donut dough, mixing an egg yolk with 15 cl of ice water. Add 100 grams of flour and mix, leaving lumps. The donuts will be more crisp.
Incorporate the herbs in the dough before frying pieces of dough. They should stay barely a minute in hot oil.
Gazpacho for freshness
On the buffet, nothing like gazpacho to refresh the guests. Easy to make, gazpacho can be made in several variants. Regardless of the recipe, you must be able to store the containers cool before serving.
To make it yourself, just mix tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and an onion. Add bread crumbs for a thicker texture. Then add olive oil and vinegar as well as a little ginger or chili and basil leaves as a seasoning. All that's left is to leave the gazpacho in the fridge until ready to serve.
It is also possible to mix melon and accompany this gazpacho with a few strips of raw ham in the oven.
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Dessert ideas
For dessert, you can make waffles, cut them in four and leave jams, honey and spreads available to guests. To bring a touch of freshness, consider accompanying these waffles with flavored water.
Let fruits, such as peaches, and herbs, for example verbena, steep for several hours in water in the refrigerator. The drink will thus be very sweet but very fruity.