If you was entertaining family - approx 10 adults what food would you serve for the most convenient and cheap optobo

[KenAdamsRealWife]

Normally would do a Buffet type lunch/dinner but I find it adds up too much. I’m on mat leave and really looking for cheap as chips ideas for around 10 adults over Easter.
Thanks

How about a pie with a few side dishes? You could have a green salad and homemade coleslaw with it? Good luck

@DerelictWreck

I know it's isn't the point of the thread but

Rice I'd do at 100g dry weight per person...based on what my family would eat

shock we do 60g! Given that 70g is a portion that's loads

I do 60g for the dc but mrformerbabe would feel very short changed on that amount!

Agree with all the people saying that the food isn't depressing! Clearly they've never tasted my mums pasta bake!

If they are coming to spend time with you then the food doesn't need to be Michelin star. None of my family would have a second thought about having pizza etc

I always think i would always think its better to have simple food done well then fancier food done badly. Better to have generous helpings of good pasta bake then small portions of a cheap cut of expensive meat.

My secret is normally sides eg id consider doing nachos , garlic bread etc with chilli. A bag of nachos and aome cheese would be less than £3 But can side help me feel more like ive provided a special meal.

Equally my family loves to be able to hell them selves and foods in different bowls. Fajitas are a winner in my family always. Lots of spiced veg in one bowl, small amounts of chicken, bowl of cheese, wraps seperately, nachos on the table. Some times we thrown in the Mexican style microwave rices and feel like it's a banquet of kings.

We are easily swayed by the fancyness kf multiple bowls!

I love cooking for a crowd - don't get to do it that often though.
Dishes that have worked for me:
Lasagne - one each of traditional mince, seafood or roasted vegetable.
Chicken, apricot and pine kernel filo pie.
Chicken and roasted vegetable traybake with maple and mustard marinade.
Paneer and spinach curry
Chicken and spinach curry
Tabbouleh
Big green salad
Coleslaw
Garlic bread

If I do a starter it's generally pate or some sort of canapé.

For pudding I've done chocolate brownies, tiramisu (a delia recipe, from the winter collection I think), hazelnut roulade or pecan pie. All stuff that can be made in advance and consist of a lot of portions.

Iv made a huge slow cooker full of chilli or beef stew before. Served with the option of rice or jacket potatoes and a side salad, nachos, garlic bread or make some fresh bread to dip in the stew.

Jamie Oliver veg chilli is delicious and cheap. I’d serve with tortilla chips, sour cream etc.

Link would be helpful...
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-chilli/

Chilli - and if you throw in a couple of tins of green lentils it massively bulks it out for next to no money - they take on the flavour of the chilli brilliantly and texture wise are very similar to mince.

Serve with loads of rice, plain yoghurt, grated cheese and tortillas.

Or jacket potatoes, salad and cheese.

You're all eating on laps? So it needs to be something that you can eat with your hands, or at a push, just a fork or a spoon. In that case, I'd do homemade pizzas or pulled pork in bread rolls, or maybe hot dogs, and then I'd max out on the puddings, crumble, bread and butter pudding, steamed syrup pudding etc, all served with lovely home made custard. I wouldn't expect a full meal to be served if there wasn't a table to eat at.

There were 10 or so of us at my Aunt's last xmas.M&S sandwich platters and mini desserts went down great

Toasted and sliced pitta breads, sliced crudities (peppers, cucumber, carrots) with homemde dips. Moussaka, greek salad, green beans dish and garlic bread. Homemade baklava and halva with coffee to finish.