New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration and gathering with friends and family. It’s the last of the great holiday season bashes and calls for a special kind of get-together. From Thanksgiving through to Christmas, you’ve probably had your fill of sit-down meals, so how about hosting your very own New Year’s Eve buffet replete with delicious rice recipes guaranteed to please everyone! Join Mahatma® Rice as we guide you through some of the best buffet dishes to serve to loved-ones on this very special occasion. From cheesy and satisfying finger food snacks to gourmet treats, we’ve got your covered!
Versatility and Popularity for Buffets
One of the many advantages of hosting a buffet-style gathering, is that it frees people up to mingle and move around the room while enjoying the delicious food on offer. It also gives guests the opportunity to pick and choose what they want to eat and drink. Best of all, it’s much less work for the host as you don’t have to serve dishes individually to each guest. Simply lay out your spread and watch as everyone tucks in.
How to Plan a Buffet
Planning a buffet is much easier than you think. All you need is the following:
- A dining table sufficiently long to hold the variety of dishes on offer
- A Chafing dish or steam table
- Small plates and cutlery rack
- Drinks cooler and separate beverage table
- Ample supply of wine and beer glasses
- A varied menu that caters to a range of dietary preferences
Once you have these in place, there are a few other things you’ll need to think about.
Creating Space
The success of a buffet depends on its efficiency. Position your dining table to maximize the space in your dining room. Set up plates and cutlery at the beginning of the buffet, then think carefully about the order of dishes on offer. It’s good to present appetizers and salads first and allow guests to come to the main dish at the end. Show guests where the buffet starts and ends and establish a line system.
Places to Put Drinks
Guests may need to set down their drinks. Place coasters around the room to indicate where guests can leave their drinks while they’re eating. It may be worth setting up a recycling zone if you’re serving bottled beverages.
Prepare for the Clean up
Rather than try to gather all the plates and cutlery yourself, show guests to your kitchen and create a designated area where they can deposit their plates when they’ve finished with them. Make sure there’s ample space for everything. This may mean you have to remove some everyday kitchen devices or ornaments in order to maximize space, but it will make the clean-up process more efficient and stress-free when the party’s over.
So, now that we’ve got a handle on how to plan your buffet, let’s dive into the most exciting part of all—the recipes!
Start with a Salad
No buffet would be complete without a salad option, but what’s the best salad to serve at a buffet? We recommend opting for something that’s both hearty and flavorful, and this Jasmine Rice Salad with Asian Chicken fits the bill nicely. Packed with delicious ingredients like roasted cashews, shredded coleslaw, orange slices, edamame beans, and Mahatma® Ready to Heat Jasmine Rice, this fruity salad will complement the other dishes in your spread beautifully.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a salad recipe that caters to vegetarians, this Greek Salad with Feta Cheese and Tomato is the ideal choice. Packed with signature ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine—feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, capers, oregano—it’s certain to please those who prefer meat-free options.
Finger Food Rice Delights
You know what they say—good things come in small packages. Finger food options allow you to offer tasty dishes in smaller servings. Guests can pick and choose as they go. But what are the best finger food dishes to serve at a buffet? First, it’s worth thinking about texture and variety. To add a little crunch to your spread, try these Vegetable Rice Fritters. Served with a side of creamy tzatziki sauce, these crispy delights are perfect for dipping. Just make sure you make a big enough batch as they could be the sleeper hit of your buffet menu!
For a dish with a gourmet touch, why not try your hand at our Arancini Air-Fryer Italian Rice Balls? Cheesy and delicate, guests will be blown away by your chef skills. Also, a prime candidate for dipping in sauces, these rice balls work equally well as an appetizer or as something for guests to snack on throughout the party.
Finally, for a dish rich in umami flavors, these Wild Rice Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are sure to be a hit. Loaded with Parmesan and cheddar cheese, savory Italian sausage, bread crumbs, herbs and spices, and our fragrant and flavorful blend of Mahatma® Jasmine with Red & Wild Rice, this recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare, leaving you with plenty of time to dedicate to the rest of your preparations.
Buffet Main Dish Ideas
Part of the beauty of rice mains is that they are so versatile. For your buffet, we’ve got two unique and delicious dishes to delight your guests. This Savory Fried Coconut Rice is a mouthwatering dish with a tropical twist that also caters to vegetarians. Make a generous batch and guests can help themselves to as much as they like.
Then, for meat-lovers, this Easy Beef and Rice Lasagna is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Made with an irresistible combo of ground beef, jasmine rice, carrots, onions, garlic, and loaded with Monterey Jack cheese, it’s the perfect dish to serve at a buffet. Best of all, it’s ready in 35 minutes, making it time-saving and delicious in equal measure.
Winter is all about warm, creamy desserts and this Easy Coconut Rice Pudding is the perfect way to end your New Year’s Eve buffet on a sweet note. Made with Mahatma® White Rice, coconut milk, and vanilla extract, this dessert dish never fails to please.
Happy New Year from Mahatma® Rice
However you choose to ring in the new year, make sure you surround yourself with friends, family, and the people you love. And what better way to show some love than to put on a New Year’s Eve spread they’ll never forget. For more cooking tips and recipe ideas be sure to check out our blog to see what’s cooking.
