20 buffet recipes

Browned chicken breasts baked in a sherry-mushroom consomme sauce with olives and sour cream. A make-ahead casserole built for entertaining that serves 8 from a chafing dish.

Cheesy buffet biscuits made with Bisquick, Parmesan, and scallions, baked in a 9x13 pan and scored into squares. Makes 2 dozen pull-apart biscuits for feeding a hungry crowd.

Six kinds of beans baked in a sweet-tangy brown sugar and vinegar sauce, topped with crumbled bacon and crispy fried onions. A potluck-ready side dish that feeds a crowd.

This was a common meal in German blue collar working class families. It is still very popular on buffets, and even used to become "hip" recently for people who got bored with mussels, salmon or caviar on buffets. People in old times often did not use ground meat, but ground cheap meat leftovers. This used to be pub food in the very old times in Germany as you could store it for a long time - no fridge was around at that time, only a pantry. It is perfect as a cold snack for long road trips.

Sugared fruits coated in meringue powder and granulated sugar for a sparkling, crystallized finish. A stunning edible centerpiece or garnish for holiday tables and buffets.

Whole poached salmon served cold with cucumber scales and a creamy dill sauce. A stunning buffet centerpiece cooked in court bouillon.

Elegant sherried baked fruit with layered pineapple, peaches, apricots, cherries, and spiced apple rings in a buttery brown sugar and sherry sauce. Serves 20 for buffets and dinner parties.

Four mini quiches in one bake: salmon-broccoli with Stilton, asparagus with Cheddar, leek with smoked salmon and Mozzarella, and tomato-olive with Feta and pesto. A buffet showstopper.

Molded red pepper couscous ring filled with steamed vegetables and topped with a cool dill yogurt sauce. Stunning vegetarian buffet centerpiece that cuts like a savory cake.

Fruit compote in rose wine: layered pineapple, peaches, pears, bananas, oranges, and grapes set in watermelon gelatin and rosé. Feeds 25 at a buffet.

Tahini toasts: a savory paste of tahini, tomato, onion, parsley, and lemon spread on bread and grilled until the sesame topping browns and sizzles. A quick, vegan snack or buffet bite with real flavor.

Retro molded cucumber salad with lime gelatin, sour cream, chopped radishes, and lemon juice. A cool, creamy side dish that slices into neat squares for summer buffets.

Whole cold glazed salmon baked in wine with fresh herbs, chilled overnight and finished with fish aspic and turnip flower decorations. A stunning centerpiece for buffets and celebrations.

Fresh mango, kiwi, pineapple, and banana served with a creamy guava yogurt sauce. A no-cook, 10-minute tropical fruit platter for brunch buffets or a light summer dessert.

Retro tuna party salad set in a chili sauce and gelatin mold with mayonnaise, whipped cream, olives, and celery. A vintage buffet showpiece that chills firm enough to slice.

Classic spanakopita layers crisp buttered phyllo with a Greek spinach and feta filling for a golden, flaky savory pie. Vegetarian Greek classic, perfect for Sunday dinner or potluck buffets.