Cooking for lots of people- what would you prefer?

[OttolenghiSimple]

I'm cooking for 20(!) next month for a birthday dinner. Everyone eats everything apart from one veggie.

Have worked out two possible menus. Which would you prefer?

1- No starter but some canapes, then lamb curry, pilau rice, tarka dhal, chana masala, one another veg dish TBC, served as a buffet but sitting down to eat. Might have a go at some sort of bread but it's hard for so many. Can buy some popadoms and chutneys etc to have on the tables.

2- No starter but canapes, then roast beef fillet, dauphinoise potatoes, petits pois a la francaise, braised leeks. Again would probably be a buffet then seated to eat.

My thoughts- menu one has the benefit of being what the birthday-haver would most like. It's fairly easy to do as most can be made ahead and frozen. But is a curry a bit ordinary? Maybe I can add in some more celebratory elements but what? (Should add that although I love cooking Indian food and I know my friends enjoy eating it, none of us is Indian.)

Menu two feels a bit more celebratory maybe. Also v easy as can largely be done ahead. Beef fillet for 20 will be expensive. I will need to make something different for the veggie, which I know she will be fine with but I always fear a solo dish is a bit depressing and ungemütlich.

Pudding will be a giant cheesecake which I will order from the bakers so that is sorted.

The OP actually says all her friends enjoy it, so no risk.

Menu 1 definitely. Curry is easy to make ahead as well, could do more variety too if you were inclined. Frozen naan/chapati/paratha are nice too.
Can't fathom anyone not liking any curry!

As I would be having the veggie option I would probably prefer the curry menu as I could eat loads of the same foods as the meat eaters . Although - with menu number two I would probably be happy to just eat the Dauphinoise potatoes as my main !

Ooh - just looking at @mitogoshi's suggestion to add in chicken tikka - what about paneer tikka instead and then it's veggie friendly .

I like curry, as long as it's not too spicy, but in all honesty, I would just be thrilled to spend time with friends and have someone else cook! I think with plenty of extras like chutney, naan breads, etc, people will be able to fill up on what they like.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cslz6GEJiMn/?igsh=MWU5b3AwbDltc3N4eA==

Can highly recommend this recipe for a really tasty, easy, non spicy 'curry'. It's delicious and so easy...I do it in a big lasagne dish. You could do that as an alternative to a spicy lamb curry.

Number 1, but I would only do the mains and ask someone else to sort out starter/sides/dessert 😂

Curry for me.

But does everyone like lamb? Would chicken be safer?

I'd do some side dishes so people who are not keen on lamb could still enjoy the meal.

Oh brilliant, thank you so much everyone for all these responses and ideas- I'm going to go through them in detail.

To answer a few questions, I'm confident everyone likes curry (have known them all 20+ years) so no worries on that score. Also confident in the cheesecake- really likes someone's suggestion of tying it in with the main with eg mango and I am going to talk to the bakers about what they can do.

Thank you!

Going out here a bit, but if you were going to do the Indian option I reckon it would be far cheaper to actually order it from an Indian restaurant who do outside catering for that many guests. They will bring in big dishes and take them away the next day, so bonus no washing up. I have an Indian DP and that's typically what his family do for family parties despite all being amazing chefs!

If you want to cater yourself, I'd buy the giant naans you get in international supermarkets, then cut up until little pieces for people to help themselves to on the side.

Pudding id buy gulabs (like doughnuts in syrup) you can serve with ice cream. They are very sweet so two or three per person would be OK.

Samosas and bhajis are far, far cheaper to buy either frozen in bags from an international supermarket and fried or buy direct from Indian shops if you have any near you. Much better then anything you get in the supermarkets. That said, my Indian MIL does rate the party samosas that Iceland do in packs of 20.

Far far are a good alternative to poppadums and look pretty.

Menu 1 for definite, I can't bear potatoes dauphinoise and the whole of menu 2 seems far too rich, especially if being followed by cheesecake. If you were going to do that one have plain steamed green veg instead of all the oil and cream etc.

Curry, but with one having chicken, with bought bread(s).

I'd go for no 1, and it would also be much easier to cater for the vegetarian, since most curries and accompaniments are vegetarian anyway.

How about Bombay potatoes & vegetable samosas as well?

I’d prefer the curry. I’m not veggie but I’m picky about meat, so would rather have choices. And I’d see if there’s any option to order it in, that sounds far more relaxing and celebratory to me!

I'd rather cook option 1 but it depends on your guests. I think option 2 is likely to be safer although pinkness of the beef can be an issue.

Menu 1 definitely. Id make my own onion bhajis then freeze them (i do this all time...then just reheat) and same with the vegetable pakoras. Buy the naans ..no one's got time for that for 20 folk... poppadoms and i make my own dips...raita...spicy onion tomato coriander lemon salsa...mango chutney. All these can he made day begore xxx

Definitely 1.

Menu 1 for sure. I am Indian though so a bit biased 😂. You could do a paneer dish as your TBC veggie dish. No need to make own naans unless you really want to, go to a local Indian shop or just the world foods aisle in tesco and get some garlic and coriander naans.

Then some sides (eg bhajis, samosas), chutneys, a nice raita which is very easy to make, a salad. There'll be something for everyone.

Bourguinon is amazing with venison too

I'd prefer to eat option 2 but I'd eat option 1 happily if it were offered. I know quite a few people who wouldn't be keen on spicey food though so I think it would be a less popular option.

Just make sure the chicken is free range

Curry as best made in advance and kept warm easier than beef etc, can you borrow extra slow coolers they cam be served out of the keep warm.
I second the clay oven naan that are amazing

I’m allergic to both cinnamon and tomatoes. I’d have to bow out if you served menu 1 because it would probably be too much airborne contamination.

@Ponderingwindow Fine, if you were invited, but the OP clearly said I'm cooking for 20(!) next month for a birthday dinner. Everyone eats everything apart from one veggie.

so your allergies are irrelevant in helping her with her dilemma as she knows that isn't the case with any of her guests.

1st one

I love food like menu 2 but it will be cold by the time people make their plates, and menu 1 has lots of different things so people are guaranteed to find something they like so I would do that. A big batch of naans from a local place will be delicious and fill people up.

You rarely get curry as a homemade meal???

It's not that unusual! We have some form of curry most weeks and reading the meal planning threads on here, so do lots of others!