Impressive make ahead puds

[littlegreenfairy]

I'm in charge of puddings for approximately 40-50 people in August and am starting to have a think and have a go at some recipes.

The criteria is:

Needs to be able to be made ahead - either keeps well or can be frozen. Or simple so can be arranged quickly on the day as there will be no chance of hiding in the kitchen making stuff. And no stress as there will be enough of that anyhow!

Need to be able to stand up to the heat (because it will be hot)

Impressive looking and tasting with a real wow factor.

So far I'm thinking of a meringue tower with bowls of berries and chantilly cream (make your own Eton Mess) or mini pavlovas with sugared flower petals.

Secondly, I'd like to make a gateau of some size and boozyness. Perhaps hazelnut and chocolate. Or a Baileys and white chocolate cheesecake.

What would you clever people do?

Damnit I'm craving pudding now...

[sherman]

Cheese cake or a crumble of some description.

Are they going to be individual or served up from a large one a portioned out?

[littlegreenfairy]

sherman said:

Cheese cake or a crumble of some description.

Are they going to be individual or served up from a large one a portioned out?

It'll be a help yourself type of thing - although cheesecake/whatever it ends up being will be in slices but all together by itself if you get my drift.

[littlegreenfairy]

Ah also, it needs to be served cold. No kitchen duties for me!

[Shaw Tarse]

Profiteroles?
Arranged in some sort of pile?
I'll be back when the cheese & biccies are served, I'll be found in the bar/pub/ rhododendron!

[sherman]

So no chafing dishes then?

[Mobile Chicane]

Personally I hate meringue / pavlova - all calories and no flavour. Cream likewise - and on a hot day? Yuck.

One of the most memorable desserts I've ever eaten was at Cha Cha Char in Brisbane: pistachio parfait with a raspberry coulis and rose hokey-pokey.

From memory (sorry no pics) the parfait was cut into a right-angled triangle with the coulis around, and the hokey pokey in the shape of a tuile propped up against it. Some random dark chocolate blobs too.

Stunning, different, and very refreshing on a hot and humid day.

[bint]

Big bowl of fresh fruit salad - lots of exotic fruits, juice and it's very refreshing.

[Simpo Two]

littlegreenfairy said:

I'm in charge of puddings

That's a great thread opening. LGF is duly elected Head of Puddings


I love Summer Pudding, and my puny culinary knowledge suggests it might freeze (as long as you major on raspberries and redcurrants not strawberries). I expect these days you could put blueberries in as well.

[littlegreenfairy]

Simpo Two said:

That's a great thread opening. LGF is duly elected Head of Puddings


I love Summer Pudding, and my puny culinary knowledge suggests it might freeze (as long as you major on raspberries and redcurrants not strawberries). I expect these days you could put blueberries in as well.

My new title is pleasing.

Good call on summer pud.

Hadn't thought about the cream situation. More thinking is required seeing as it WILL be a stonkinly hot day.

Fruit salad a good plan too- can also try some melon carving as always fancied a go at that.

I think this might call for some puddings at nice eaty places to pinch some ideas.