h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What can I make as a contribution to an evening garden party?
I'm thinking something that can be taken in a disposable container (so no problem collecting to take home or risk losing) & eaten without implements (in case plates & cutlery in short supply).
Also something minimum effort!

Sweet or savoury? Any ideas?

Breadsticks

cupcakes
or if feeling a tiny bit more cheflike
choux pastry buns

Samosa's
Sausage rolls

I would suggest calzones, which are like pizza slices but rolled up like buns. Easy to eat with your fingers. Easy or hard to make depending on your experience levels. Dim sum [Chinese steamed dumplings] are also great as finger food. Knishes, croqettes, empanadas, samosas, anything with a filling. Many many different countries have variations on the theme. I've made almost all of the above, but I've had to simplify.

[I have empanada and chicken croquette recipes somewhere. The empanadas are a Chilean dish with hamburg, spices, and chopped olives in side.

Hmm - sounds quite adventurous. I think a trip to the supermarket might be in order.

While you're at the supermarket pick up a couple of packs of cocktail sausages and a box of cocktail sticks. I do love a sausage on a stick

My favourite buffet food is cheese & pineapple on sticks. Skewer them onto large jacket potatoes covered in foil. You could just take them on a disposable tray, covered in clingfilm.

Deb

If pies, pastrys, or pastry etc is more than you want... or cooking skills go too... and it can be a hastle sometimes.... how about 'sandwichs'?

Easy to make and you can be inventive.... don't need to just think slices of bread, rolls or baguettes, wraps etc, with nice fillings can be gorgeous and the afore mentioned sausage on sticks or, one that never fails, a really good decent selection of cheese, that everyone can just cut into and have,; maybe with some decent crackers.... Mind, also depends what kind of get together it is.... and, how posh... I'm more used to my familys ones, which basically comes down to just bring vast amounts of alcohol to gain entry, and then any food is warmly recieved, whatever it happens to be

Tub of ice cream and some ice cream cones..

Home made Focaccia and dips?

Mini quiches.
Sausage rolls.


If you want to avoid making pastry:

A couple of packets of Ritz and some dips like guacamole, tuna mayonnaise, various yoghurt and herb-based mixtures, or taramasalata. Colourful and moreish.

Melon kebabs - cut different colour melons into cubes or make little balls if you have the gadget for it, and put them on kebabs (there'll be red, white, yellow, orange) Slip a leaf of mint in between the cubes every now and again.

If you use a different order each time, it will look lovely when they're all lying next to each other.

Spinning further on Paul's ideas - tiny meatballs on sticks are delicious - can also be dipped. (served cold) Dips can be plain tomato ketchup or a variety of hot sauces, although a smooth yoghurt with (again) mint in it gives it a Greek touch.

Or chop up hard-boiled eggs, wrap the mincemeat round a spoonful thereof, roll in breadcrumbs and make mini Scotch eggs. About walnut-sized - you can just pop them in your mouth.

anything on sticks works well... sausages... meatballs.... veggy spiced 'meat' balls with bulghur wheet sushi (the veggy stuff is probably easiest to make and cheapest) or.... buy the most expensive big box of 'crackers for cheese' you can find, and either just a pile of cheese to go with it, or cheese and pate or just pate I guess or.... a dozen packets of ritz crackers and some butter hmm. actually I'm just writing out my shopping list for the week, arn't i?

Some super ideas - may well use those next time I'm entertaining or want to put more effort in.
This time I've gone for the really simple option as I want to spend tomorrow gardening. I bought some grapes & a melon (which I'll prepare in slices for easy eating.)

We'll be taking a bottle of wine as well of course...

I am definitely getting hungry as I read this thread.

The grapes & melon were a good choice - loads of savoury stuff & sweet desserts, but no other simple fruit.

A good time was had by all.

I'm glad it went well.

There are grapevines hanging from trees in my neighborhood. Yesterday I picked some ripe grapes. Being wild, they were on the small side, and full of seeds, but they had a nice tart taste.

We have some sloes. I'm not that keen on sloe gin, so looking for other ideas. Or the birds can have them.

Look up Mrs Beaton on line there are some good ideas there

Sloe jelly, sloe and apple and others.

Hope it helps