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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your ideas of what I can serve eight people cheaply?

110 replies

Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 22:52

Our family usually has a get together to watch England in major tournaments. I hosted the first one and had a barbecue with burgers etc plus a ham joint, salads, sides, an cheeseboard and charcuterie etc. It came to £200 and I was very pleased to do it. I enjoy hosting and would be so embarrassed if anyone was hungry. People often comment that they get good hospitality here and I’m pleased they think so.

Due to a change in circumstances, I am now also hosting on Tuesday. There will be eight of us. I can’t really afford to spend the same again, but I don’t want anyone to be sitting hungry. Has anyone got any ideas of what I could serve?

OP posts:

whiteorchids44 · 24/06/2024 20:49

Tesco does a really nice rotissiere chicken. I'd serve 2 along with mashed potatoes, salad, and corn on the cob.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/306941570?sc_cmp=ppcGHS+-+Grocery+-+NewMPX_PMAX_All_OT_All+Products_Online+Budget_1011017**306941570*&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuSzBhCLARIsAIcdLm7rrRGL_GP6E5eTGNXmjzfY6P0tckywZMAWcb__Ty3NZjfXx58Z8CYaAk4DEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Margo2023 · 24/06/2024 19:58

Jamie O has a great American style BBQ beans dish. Serve with tortilla wraps or just packs of nachos, homemade guac and maybe sour cream too. If you wanted you could add in one of those pulled pork things from Aldi or similar store

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/bbq-baked-beans/

BMW6 · 24/06/2024 19:53

Tray bake.

Chicken thighs, chopped onions, peppers, courgette, aubergine, cherry toms and par boiled baby spuds. Season and add some chilli or paprika and garlic. Crusty bread on the side so you can mop up the delicious juices.

V cheap, tasty and nutritional.

ButterCrackers · 24/06/2024 19:37

Pasta with tomato sauce, onions, some peppers and some sausage in slices. You can get the cheapest pasta. It will be good hot and then cold. Bread on the side with some hummus dips. A tub of olives without stones. For desserts trifle is always good and not expensive - cake base, jelly, frozen fruit, custard and cream.

sunflowerfan · 24/06/2024 19:29

Pulled pork with stuffing and bread rolls.

Matronic6 · 24/06/2024 17:26

HysteriaOfTheWanderingWomb · 23/06/2024 22:59

It's short notice so I think it would be reasonable to get your guests to bring a dish each and share the load... If I was being hosted at the drop of a hat for whatever reason I'd think that more than fair.

I agree with this.

Dontevenlookatme · 24/06/2024 17:24

I think I’d offer fajitas, very easy, build-your-own food.

This is a really simple and cheap veggie option. I don’t do meat but others may have suggestions.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/quick-chilli-bean-wraps

afrikat · 24/06/2024 17:19

https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/north-african-squash-and-chickpea-stew

This is such a tasty dish and really filling. Serve with some crusty bread

North african squash and chickpea stew

This richly spiced combination of squash, tomatoes and pulses is based around a traditional Moroccan recipe, harira. That dish is actually a soup but, whenever I make it, I find myself veering towards such a thick and chunky texture that ‘stew’ seems a...

https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/north-african-squash-and-chickpea-stew

cunningartificer · 24/06/2024 17:14

Nigel slater's chicken wings with lemon and maple syrup with salad and bread. Incredibly cheap and incredibly tasty. I've made it for 50 and it went down well and was really cost effective. Nice hot or cold as well so you can do it in advance. If you're feeling posh use chicken thighs instead!

cheapskatemum · 24/06/2024 16:57

TheKeatingFive · 23/06/2024 22:55

Chilli. Bulk out the meat with veg/beans/rice.

This, with rice or jacket potatoes.

GameOfJones · 24/06/2024 16:52

A big pan of chilli served with potato wedges, nachos, sour cream and all the different toppings is my go-to meal for easy and inexpensive hosting.

However, in this heat people may want something colder. I did a version of a ploughmans with some extra bits (cheese board, slices of pork pie, ham, baguette, salad, pickled onions, boiled eggs, chutney, tuna mayo, grated carrot) at the weekend and it went down really well.

Fruit salad and ice cream for dessert.

rainbowunicorn · 24/06/2024 16:51

Idontjetwashthefucker · 24/06/2024 15:56

Do people really eat chilli on hot days, maybe it's because I'm not a massive fan of spicy food but I couldn't imagine wanting to eat it when it's so warm out

Of course they do. Spices are eaten all over the world in proper hot temperatures.

TheKeatingFive · 24/06/2024 16:49

Idontjetwashthefucker · 24/06/2024 15:56

Do people really eat chilli on hot days, maybe it's because I'm not a massive fan of spicy food but I couldn't imagine wanting to eat it when it's so warm out

I don't really understand this. The country's most into heat in their food are among the hottest in the world.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 24/06/2024 16:49

I would do a massive pot of something with sides…. Pasta dish, or curry, or chilli etc. big side salad and some garlic bread or french bread. Keep it simple.

Poppysmom22 · 24/06/2024 16:45

Massive pan of chilli and jacket spuds always gets a good reception with our lot

armyofants · 24/06/2024 16:33

TerrorOwls · 24/06/2024 00:25

Do people want chilli and rice in 28c weather?
What about roast chicken thighs, salads, potato salad, garlic bread.

No thanks. I wouldn’t.

Cuwins · 24/06/2024 16:27

I would do curry in the slow cooker to help with time. See if you can borrow a 2nd one (assuming you have 1 of course!)- chicken in one and a lentil Dahl or chickpea curry in another, rice, naan bread, popadoms and some dips.

HandsDown84 · 24/06/2024 16:20

Seconding chili, with some jackets in foil, big bowl of rice and some cheap fake Doritos with dip!

SocoBateVira · 24/06/2024 16:15

I love spicy food, so you'd have to control for that, but yeah I definitely eat it in hot weather! A lot of cultures in warm climates have spicy cuisines.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 24/06/2024 15:56

Do people really eat chilli on hot days, maybe it's because I'm not a massive fan of spicy food but I couldn't imagine wanting to eat it when it's so warm out

JanefromLondon1 · 24/06/2024 15:51

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

UrsulaBelle · 24/06/2024 15:31

Chilli for 8 with 1000g of beef, 2 tins of tomatoes, 2 or 3 tins of beans, (kidney and also haricot or mixed bean tins) 2 or 3 onions, 2 peppers, some cooking chocolate. Serve it with rice and garlic bread. Get them to bring puddings. Job's a good'un.

DietCokeandHulaHoops · 24/06/2024 15:30

It’s going to be hot on Thursday so I’d make it really simple.

I had people round at the weekend and cooked (ahead of time) a gammon joint - then just put out baguettes, coleslaw, salad and crisps and let people put together their own sandwiches etc. would work equally well with a roast chicken.

Luhou · 24/06/2024 15:22

My go too would be a big lasange, garlic bread and salad. Probably make some merringues for after.

Caspianberg · 24/06/2024 15:21

Austrian potato salad - look online . It’s served cold so can cook day before and fridge. It has no cream or anything in

Chicken thighs. Roast with various seasonings. They are cheap ish cut, and already in individual portions

Homemade coleslaw

fresh watermelon cut into triangles with rind on.

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