What to make for a bonfire at home 🔥

[ReeRi]

We are having a bonfire at home on 5 November. I imagine we would have up to 20 people but would include a couple of veggies and some Muslims who only eat halal.

Ideas so far

Jacket potatoes with beef chilli, cheese and a veg option (maybe veg chilli?)

DH suggested sausages but don’t think that’s a good idea given the Muslims.

Maybe order pizzas

There will be a few kids

What about a big pot /slow cooker of halal chicken curry? Can still have it with jacket spuds or you could do extra rice. Or buy some halal samosas from the world foods dept in supermarket and pre fry them and serve cold.

I agree with the big pot of chilli, one veggie and one halal beef (which you can get in Tesco near me. It will be far more bonfire-ish than curry!

The people I know who keep halal wouldn't mind others eating sausages at all, as long as they weren't (say) cooked in the same tin as their food.

Mushy peas topped with mint sauce.

Meatballs with harissa and couscous www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12344/moroccan-lamb-meatballs-with-harissa-and-couscous with falafel for the veggies
We’ve done this bean stew with cheesey mash www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1089635/somerset-stew-with-cheddar-and-parsley-mash Nobody missed the meat, but you could do a beef stew as well.
Cornish pasties

We had considered a chilli for the meat eaters and a big pan of daal for the vegetarians.

DH doesn’t think Quorn mince chilli would be nice. I could make the beef chilli with halal beef if you can buy that?!

Chicken curry is probably a better option than daal but wasn’t sure about curry with potatoes.

The bean stew looks good and would probably be ok with jackets 🥔

I must confess I want to keep it fairly simply with maybe only two hot dishes max plus the jacket potatoes.

would love to know if anyone has any good suggestions for sweets/pudding to take to something like this.
please not parkin - i took this last year and it wasn't well received by the kids and even the adults only ate it under sufferance!

Tbh these days id just do bootstrap Jack's bean chilli and not bother with a meat. Tastes fab in the slow cooker, doesnt need the meat at all and everyone can eat.

I'd consider chicken sausages. Most people actually can't tell.

Veg Chilli, sausage and jacket potato should cover everyone really

Sticky toffee pudding?

I was going to be lazy and buy cake / sweets for pudding tbh!

A veg chilli might be a way to go but some people like meat don’t they?! Or could offer tuna...

And how do I serve? Lay it all out on the dining room table? Or keep everything in the kitchen / on the stove and hand everyone their own plate with jacket and choosing side / topping 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’d do a bean chilli and jacket potatoes. Sour cream and grated cheese

Yes some people like meat, I do myself but I love a bean chilli and not having meat for one meal won’t kill anyone! It’s easier to do 1 dish than 3 different to accommodate everyone’s needs, as it doesn’t sound like you are experienced at cooking for large groups.

Then it’s got to be sticky toffee pudding! Double cream & toffee apples are fun for the children and adults alike

The only problem with jackets is they can be quite tricky to eat one handed with only a fork. Wedges or rice would be easier.

This is what I would make, served in cups with crusty breadaticks

www.tastesoflizzyt.com/beefy-mexican-rice-soup

realfood.tesco.com/recipes/smokin-chilli-non-carne-soup.html

For pudding, Nigella’s chocolate gingerbread is amazing. I’d serve it warm with a big bowl of whipped cream/.

Otherwise, what about cup cakes topped with popping candy as a nod to fireworks?

You can get gorgeous halal sausages btw. I used to buy them whenever I passed the halal butcher until DS became veggie. They are spicy beef and very good for bonfire night.

But the chilli sounds lovely. That, with garlic bread or baked potatoes, then cinnamon apple crumble or if you can bear the faff, home made toffee apples.

Sausages (beef, chicken or lamb) in hotdog rolls with fried onions and a choice of mustard, ketchup etc and some nice soup served in a mug.

pasta bake

jillandhersprite lemon mirangue pie.pavolova.eton mess.sticky toffee.roulade.choc biscuit cake.choc and caramel torte.baked alaska if your able tp put it together there.

DH doesn’t think Quorn mince chilli would be nice

You don't have to use fake meat in a veg chilli (or spag bol etc.). I would use lentils (puy lentils are best for a really earthy taste) or get a tin of aduki beans (tiny round beans).

Or just use various tins of beans - kidney, black, butter plus a tin of sweet corn

I quite like the idea of doing a mixed bean chilli and then I only need to do one! The pot ones look good too.

I did like the idea of jackets but take the point that they’re hard to eat 🤔

I made some good chicken skewers and prawns on the bbq over the summer is maybe something like that... I could do different skewers and put them under the grill?

I make good nachos too

I don’t know. I’m tempted to order Dominos!
🙄

I need to work out exactly how many people we think are coming for a start

Thank you for all the suggestions. They are very helpful