NYD lunch for 18..

[Chocbuttonsandredwine]

I volunteered. Regret has set in 😂

10 adults, 8 kids 2-15.

1 gluten free but no other allergies/dietary requirements.

On thought list is 2/3 of the following… which would you prefer? Or something else?

Slow beef brisket
lasagne
Chilli
Chicken curry

Will probably do jacket potatoes as easy, and then other sides depending on what I’m cooking.

Will probably do pizzas for the kids, and they can chose what they want

any other suggestions?

I’d probably avoid the chicken curry if you’ve gone mad on turkey the week before.
How about a large glazed ham? Goes well with naked potatoes and easy to make up a batch of simple sides. You can do most of the ham cooking the day before.

That was an excellent idea until I remembered BIL is doing han on Boxing Day.

I honestly think most will be sick of the sight of food by then… should probably just do toast 😂

Chilli + rice + jackets + accompaniments are naturally gluten free so you dont have to make anything special for one person / ask them to avoid anything other than the kids' pizza.

Completely get what you mean about toast tho 😂

Big vat of chilli and baked potatoes (or rice if you have a rice cooker).

I'd only do one dish. Make it easy for yourself.

I like them all. NYD is usually hangover food so I think something spicy would be good and the lasagne , plenty of pasta to soak up the alcohol from the night before. I wouldn't go down the full dinner route like joint of meat and vegetables .

Serve up the meal "soup kitchen style" as we call it in our household. Every one queues up with their empty plate and gets a dollop of each bit of the meal straight from the saucepan/baking sheet etc. Saves on the washing up too, as you avoid serving bowls.

I usually make pies for NYD. A meat and potato one with flaky pastry top and a cheese and onion one with a shortcrust top. I use shin beef for the meat, cook it a few days before in the slow cooker with thyme, onions, garlic, tomato purée, red wine , plenty of pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Bisto powder (NOT Granules!!!). Add diced potatoes when the meat is cooked but before the Bisto. Add Bisto when potatoes are cooked.
The Cheese pie is lots of cheese including strong cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream cheese, finely chopped onions, either cooked baby boiled potatoes or tinned new potatoes if I cant be bothered. Ann a couple of beaten eggs. Frozen pastry in both cases. If you make them in foil trays then you're not even got washing up to do. Serve Petit Pois, red cabbage, broccoli or any other veg with them.
For dessert, we have a massive trifle, mince pies and a tin of Quality Street!

I wouldn't do something separate for the kids - why would you add extra faff to the day?

The pie idea is a good one. How about making two large ones - chicken/ham and leek/mushroom - and a beef and vegetable one, and make a big bowl of mashed potato and a nice gravy. Good comfort food and ideal for any possible hangovers.

Some of them are little/fussy so it’s easier to throw a couple of pizzas in the oven while I’m cooking, feed them, then they can go and play while the adults eat in peace. They might have chilli/whatever too, but it just takes the pressure of the adults having to supervise them so much too. Have 2 ovens so it’s no drama

Love the pie idea, although wouldn’t work for gluten free

(Naice) sausages, mash, onion gravy and plenty of veg? Kids would like that too, I'm sure. You could even cheat and use frozen mash.

(I'm all for an easy life...!)

DH is gluten free. Ribs and sauce (Jamie or James have good recipes) salads, wedges or baked potatoes. Nothing heavy or traditional if you have a crowd.

If you can’t be bothered to cook, I find M&S great for these numbers. I like their pasta bakes. They come in family sized portions. There is lasagne, pasta bolognaise and a chicken pasta bake. They are about £6 a tray. I decant into my own oven dish and do a load of garlic bread on the side. They are good dishes and don’t taste like microwave meals.

Crisps and dips to get started and then cheese board and magnums for after.

I made Shepherd's Pie for 50 on Wednesday. It is dead easy and easily scaled up from your normal family size. Everyone loved it (or at least said so).

Definitely chilli. Rice / baked potatoes / nachos then sour cream and guacamole and cheese for toppings.

Chilli for everyone. Get the corn nachos so everything bf is gluten free. I wouldn’t faff around with multiple meals. Pizza for the children sounds fine.

Probably cheaper than making own lasagne to be fair