What do you do to feed a crowd when the budget is tight?

[Highlove]

Just that. We're expecting a houseful (8 adults plus offspring) in a few weeks. For three whole nights! We're not rolling in it right now so could do not to spend a fortune, but some of them are real foodies so I do want to make an effort. What would be on your menu in these circumstances - starters, mains and puddings, and also breakfasts? I'm a reasonably confident/accomplished cook so up for a challenge.

(They'll bring all the booze so at least we don't need to worry about that!)

[pippinandtog]

And buy it all in Aldi: in particular, their Specially Selected stuff is very nice.

[PhoenixReisling]

what about this

Slow cook large slabs of braising steak or a beef joint (brisket is cheap) with a bottle of red wine, lots of onions, garlic, a bay leaf and seasoning. Cook for several hours, either in a slow cooker/oven (or both so you can make enough).

1: With the liquor that is left, you could use this to make French onion soup (you could always add more onion and beef stock to stretch it out). I would portion out the soup into bowls, then put pre cooked garlic bread into each and top with grated cheddar. Then shove under the grill, until the cheese is melted.

2: With the meat that is left I would shred/pull this apart. You thenhave so many options what can be made with it, either on the same day as the soup or on a different day altogether!

Use as a pie filling: add onions, carrots, stock and red wine. Heat until thick, add to an oven dish and add a pastry top.

Use as a base to make a ragu sauce for either lasagna or spaghetti: Heat onion, celery, carrot and bacon lardons. When cooked, add the shredded meat and garlic and heat through. Then add Passata, tomato purée, a glass of wine and some chilli. Heat through and serve.

Use to make a chilli to fill tacos. Fry onion and bacon lardons. Then add the meat and paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander and a little cinnamon. Add Passata, tomato purée and a splash of lime juice. When heated, scatter over chopped coriander and serve.

Use to make a Korean beef dish. Fry onion, garlic and ginger. Add the meat, add soy, honey, shaishing rice wine, chilli and rice noodles. Serve this in lettece leaves (to act as a wrap), lime wedges and bean sprouts.

Lastly, you could use the meat and make into a curry.

[PhoenixReisling]

You could also use the meat to make posh steak sandwhiches. Fry onion and garlic. Add the meat, a splash of Worcester sauce and maybe a little stock/wine and reduce down.

Cut French bread (buy the heat your own ones) and put a little mustard and watercress/rocket in each. Spoon in the meat mixture and serve with homemade chips.

[Statelychangers]

Make a savoury popcorn for nibbles - Nigella has a good recipe. Marinade you own olives - very quick and easy. Easy to roast nuts as well.
No starters - too much faff. And forget about trying to impress foodies, people are there for the company and the food is secondary.
Breakfast - Shakshuka is good or huevos rancheros, scrambled eggs are way for a big crowd.
Puddings I'd go old school: lemon/orange/chocolate/ginger etc sponge & custard
Rice pudding with the zest of an orange completely transforms it.
Treacle tart or cornflake tart.