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AIBU?

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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:
Mmhmmn · 24/06/2024 00:13

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.

This.

sprigatito · 24/06/2024 00:12

I'd do nachos - big vat of chilli, bowls of salsa, guacamole and sour cream, big platters of tortilla chips with melted cheese. Bowl of spicy rice if you fancy it.

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 24/06/2024 00:08

Bignanna · 23/06/2024 23:02

Lamb is very expensive. That, and lots of Mediterranean salads for 8 people wouldn’t be relatively inexpensive!

Show quote history

Lamb shoulder sufficient for 8 people is about £25-30 at waitrose. Say another 20-30 if you really want to do fabulous sides or salads including more expensive ingredients like good cheese.

Still a lot cheaper than the £200 she spent last time.

A big chicken tray bake using thighs would absolutely be cheaper - I did it myself last summer to keep costs down - but the lamb can still be done at lower cost.

Twotimesrhymes · 24/06/2024 00:05

I hope you are not being taken advantage of as you sound very good natured

chilli would be perfect though and you could bull it out with grated carrot etc (though I do think you shouldn’t have to after a 200 bill the last time mid cost of living crisis)

Starseeking · 24/06/2024 00:00

Don't get a whole chicken, it's too much faffing about with carving etc.

These are what you want (see picture).

A pack of 4 is about £4 from Tesco. You just season and throw in the oven. So easy to cook and taste delicious!

To ask for your ideas of what I can serve eight people cheaply?
friendlycat · 23/06/2024 23:59

As you’ve already hosted I would do chilli or lasagna and a green salad.

PeachPairPlum · 23/06/2024 23:58

In this situation my family would split who brings what to the table - eg someone brings desserts and someone the drinks ,

Unfair to expect you to shell out.

Starseeking · 23/06/2024 23:55

Couple of packs of big chicken legs (£4 each in Tesco), either roasted or BBQ'd as your main meat. I'd then do a couple of pasta salads, a potato salad, some roasted on the cob, and roasted vegetables. I'd make a fruit salad with cream for afters. You could do all that for less than £50 if you shop carefully.

JoniBlue · 23/06/2024 23:54

Yes to the baked potatoes.

rewilded · 23/06/2024 23:54

Jam sandwiches? No way would I host twice!Grin

JoniBlue · 23/06/2024 23:51

Corn on the cob is good with chili. You could put out some hot dogs and buns for diy chili dogs. It would stretch the chili further. Corn bread, my sons like cornbread made with jalapenos and bacon and cheddar cheese.

Spicy Sweet potato fries, I don't like them but the rest of the family does.

MrsBungle · 23/06/2024 23:41

I think I’d just do a big chilli. Then some baked potatoes, rice and tortilla chips with sides like sour cream, cheese etc. salad.

Bemusedandconfusedagain · 23/06/2024 23:39

Big lasagne, salad, garlic bread, perhaps some chips if you like double carbs.

Bristolnewcomer · 23/06/2024 23:37

It’s going to be boiling hot so I’d just make something like a big potato or pasta salad, baguettes, some other cold veggies eg green bean salad and maybe roast some sausages in the oven (lots of nice recipes online). Plus crisps. That would keep most people happy as they’ll be too busy watching the football to really concentrate!

Original poster
Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 23:36

HeddaGarbled · 23/06/2024 23:33

Barbecue is good, especially if the weather stays nice. You don’t need to be doing ham joint, cheeseboard and charcuterie with it.

This is what I did last week (and there wasn’t a huge amount left - a couple of burgers, salad and coleslaw).

I wanted to do something different this week.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 23/06/2024 23:33

Barbecue is good, especially if the weather stays nice. You don’t need to be doing ham joint, cheeseboard and charcuterie with it.

SiobhanSharpe · 23/06/2024 23:31

A big dish of lasagne, vegetable if you can’t run to meat. Can be prepared ahead of time and baked when you need it. A salad to have with it. Bread and cheese plus a fresh fruit platter if the budget can take it.

Alittlebitwary · 23/06/2024 23:30

Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 23:09

These are excellent ideas! Thank you. I’m leaning towards the chilli. If I made it tomorrow, I could just reheat it on Tuesday, which would be handy when pressed for time.

Do you have a slow cooker? We always do 5 bean chilli which tastes just as good as a meat one, but last time we did both meat and 5 bean (pinto, cannelini, black, butter and red kidney beans) and it padded it out really nicely - shove it all in the slow cooker and leave it to cook while you get on with your day! then just do a bit pot of rice, maybe some nachos to dip in or a bit of salad on the side. Lovely!

tara66 · 23/06/2024 23:26

Lamb curry with rice and lots of side dishes - salads, chutney, peanuts etc
Dessert - large home made trifle or a fruit salad.

LittleMousewithcloggson · 23/06/2024 23:26

We’ve just done the same for 10 people for the last England game. All food
from Asda and Lidl

Bowls of crisps and dips (£4)

Big bowl of chilli (£15)
Big bowl of rice (£3)
Baked potatoes (£2)
Garlic bread (£3)

Sour cream (£2)
Grated cheese (£3)
Bowl of lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes (£3)

Ice cream sandwiches (£2)
Choc ices (£2)

All for under £40

chilli in slow cooker
Rice on hob
Garlic bread in oven

Quick and cheap and no one went home hungry!

LiterallyOnFire · 23/06/2024 23:23

Oh sorry. Massively cross posted. Blush

Bignanna · 23/06/2024 23:22

I think some on here are expecting too much ! A few different Quiches, cold meats and salads are enough, surely! Ice creams / fruit for afters.

LiterallyOnFire · 23/06/2024 23:22

Chilli. Big pot. Another of rice. Help themselves.

Or jacket potatoes with choice of two or three toppings.

Or a combo of the two. (Chilli, rice, jackets, tuna mayonnaise, baked beans, cheese.)

It's soccer. Hearty and straightforward is fine.

DiscoBeat · 23/06/2024 23:22

I would make a chicken curry, a dal, potato and spinach curry, home made nans, and a tomato/onion/herb salad. Strawberries for pudding.

Nouvellenovel · 23/06/2024 23:20

Definitely chilli and rice plus some cheap garlic bread baguettes, crème fraîche and tortilla chips.
Should fill 8 people for less than £50.