Buffet Food Ideas

Buffets are created to be convenient and to give people a variety of options. Too often, buffets are filled with old classics that have become bland and boring. With a few changes, you can take your buffet from ordinary to original.

Buffalo wings can be messy. Serve boneless buffalo wing bites instead --- boneless pieces of chicken that have been breaded and baked or deep fried. After cooking, place them in a resealable bag with the sauce you choose and shake to coat. Flavor suggestions include buffalo, teryaki, cajun, old bay, orange, or sweet and sour.

Grill skewers of meat and vegetables. Prepare skewers with meat only, vegetables only, or a mixture of both. Use small wooden skewers that you can take directly from the grill to the serving tray. Coat them with different barbecue sauces or marinades as you grill them.

This is a classic, but it doesn't have to be. Since the sweet and sour flavor comes partially from marmalade, use different flavors. Suggestions include grape, orange, apple, or cherry.

Use a variety of breads such as sourdough, wheat, rye, and pumpernickel. Bake different cheeses on top to add a cheese crust. Some cheese suggestions include swiss, pepperjack, gouda, and jalapeno.

Use snack-size graham crackers to keep these small. Instead of marshmallows, use marshmallow cream on top of a layer of melted chocolate spread on the graham cracker. This brings an old campfire favorite to your buffet.