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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:
McP13 · 23/06/2024 23:19

Made a lasagne tomorrow night stick
it in the oven on Tuesday night. Do some garlic bread and salad.

Bignanna · 23/06/2024 23:19

Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 23:17

Definitely some great ideas here. Sounds daft, but for the roast chicken suggestions, how would I actually serve it? Like do I leave it in its full roasted form and guests cut bits off or do I cut the meat off the bone in advance?

I’ll be serving buffet style rather than a sit down meal so that people can eat whenever they’re hungry and so they can watch the match at the same time.

I’d cut the meat off in advance , otherwise you’ll find them hacked to bits !

Loubelle70 · 23/06/2024 23:18

Tapas.

Somepeoplearesnippy · 23/06/2024 23:17

It's short notice so you can't do my bargain go to which is an amazing vegan chili with rice, tortilla chips + (non vegan and non compulsory) grated cheese and sour cream.

It is truly delicious and you can feed 10 people for about £12. My Neanderthal husband refused to eat it for years because he didn't consider anything vegan to be proper food but now it's his favourite. If I go away for a few weeks I stock the freezer with tubs of this. My Texan cousin also thinks it's the best chilli he has ever eaten.

DM if you would like the recipe for any future events.

WetBandits · 23/06/2024 23:17

Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 23:17

Definitely some great ideas here. Sounds daft, but for the roast chicken suggestions, how would I actually serve it? Like do I leave it in its full roasted form and guests cut bits off or do I cut the meat off the bone in advance?

I’ll be serving buffet style rather than a sit down meal so that people can eat whenever they’re hungry and so they can watch the match at the same time.

I’d avoid a roast chicken as everyone ends up wanting a bloody leg!

Original poster
Wantedfghj · 23/06/2024 23:17

Definitely some great ideas here. Sounds daft, but for the roast chicken suggestions, how would I actually serve it? Like do I leave it in its full roasted form and guests cut bits off or do I cut the meat off the bone in advance?

I’ll be serving buffet style rather than a sit down meal so that people can eat whenever they’re hungry and so they can watch the match at the same time.

OP posts:
RagzRebooted · 23/06/2024 23:15

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

It was under £50 when I did it for Easter for family, there were 8 of us eating the lamb. I made flatbreads and a couple of different salads (Mediterranean veg cous cous, greek salad etc). Lamb was on offer from Tesco though!

MidnightPatrol · 23/06/2024 23:15

It’s due to be very hot on Tuesday so the mince-based things could be a bit warm…?

Chicken thighs (bone in) are incredibly cheap and easy to do for 8 in a big tray.

There are so many ways you can do them - just make sure the skin has oil + salt and is nice and crispy and they will be delicious. My favourite atm is with chorizo and a sprinkle of paprika.

You can then serve with anything - green salad, rice, potatoes, whatever you think people will like.

WetBandits · 23/06/2024 23:15

Definitely chilli! Bulk it out with lots of tinned pulses and you’ll have plenty. I make a big batch every couple of weeks and freeze it for lunch, I get at least eight Chinese takeaway tub-sized portions out of a 500g tray of mince and a few tins of various beans, so dinner-sized portions for eight would be only a few more more than that. Plus nachos and dips to serve eight. Shouldn’t cost you more than about £20 all in.

Marmose · 23/06/2024 23:14

Chilli and rice is perfect. Serve sides of sour cream, grated cheese, nachos and jalapeños (all available in Aldi or Lidl) and it will seem much more impressive.

Kumquaat · 23/06/2024 23:13

Stodge. Classic workplace buffet fodder of quiches, mince pie and corned beef pie, but that would probably cost a fortune from whoever your local independent butchers/bakers is?

Viewfrommyhouse · 23/06/2024 23:12

My go to is always a roast chicken with salad, coleslaw and crusty bread.

thinkfast · 23/06/2024 23:10

We just had a delicious meal for 8 of us:

Roasted chicken thighs with lemons and herbs
Roasted vegetables
Ottolenghi tomato rice

www.staceysnacksonline.com/2019/04/omg-ottolenghis-baked-rice-w-tomatoes.html?m=1

Leeds2 · 23/06/2024 23:10

Chilli and rice.

Or go German, and do hot dogs/bratwurst, with fried onions and mustard.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
JurassicClark · 23/06/2024 23:08

I don’t know about all of you, but in our area of the U.K. Tuesday is forecast to be 27° - I can’t imagine fancying cottage pie or baked potatoes.

If there are no vegetarians, I second the idea of a couple of roasted chickens served cold with green salads and a herb potato salad (new potatoes, olive oil, wine vinegar and masses of chopped parsley and some thyme)

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/06/2024 23:08

Lasagne, garlic bread, salad, maybe £30.

R41nb0wR0se · 23/06/2024 23:08

Jacket potatoes and fillings. Roast gammon joint, stuffing, bread cakes, mustard and apple sauce - make your own roast sandwiches. Couple of salads - normal side salad, coleslaw, pasta salad.

BeachParty · 23/06/2024 23:07

I hear you, everyone gathers here for England games too.
It gets expensive when there's like 6 or 7 of you ordering take away.
How about a big vat of chilli?
With sides like bread rolls and corn on the cob
(Although appreciate this depends on your audience as MIL would whinge her head off at this lol)

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 23/06/2024 23:07

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 23/06/2024 22:57

Slow cooked lamb shoulder with lots of Mediterranean style salads. You could do that for 8 people relatively inexpensive ly and still look like you are making an effort.

Seriously? Lamb is very expensive

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 23/06/2024 23:07

Pulled pork is pretty cheap to do in the slow cooker.

MavisPennies · 23/06/2024 23:05

Something potato based?
Cheesy chips? Jacket potatoes with bean chilli, sour cream and salad?

StormingNorman · 23/06/2024 23:03

Big cottage pie with peas and carrots on the side.

Chilli with tacos, guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese. With a simple salad.

Lasagne with a green salad.

Pudding: homemade summer fruit pudding with vanilla or white chocolate ice cream.