What would you feed a crowd?

[Magnalux]

Hi folks,
So I’m hosting a big family get together at the start of December, there will be approximately 20 people ranging from babies up to 70yr olds. I’m not doing anything too overly festive as I will have the same people back at the end of December for Christmas Lunch so I’ll save the Christmas recipes till then. Ideally something I could make ahead the day before then make sides on the day. I made lasagne last time, so that’s out. Thanks for any inspiration!

Sit down or buffet?

Any vegetarians / special dietary needs or requests? Knives and forks?

Bet you wish you never asked now

Maybe a huge pot of chilli (maybe an extra pot of veggy chilli too if needed). To be served with a range of sides - jackets / tacos / wraps etc.

To be followed by a massive winter crumble and cream / custard.

My first thought was also a big pot of chilli...especially at this time of year.

Pud wise I'd probably do a couple of batches of brownies ahead of time to have with ice cream.

If you're not serving veggies / vegans I would suggest a selection of home made quiches. If you're busy there are plenty of bought ones too. Accompany that with home made coleslaw and potato salad, a green salad, dips and crudités. Perhaps a cous cous based salad or something like tabouleh too.

Growing up my mum did a buffet every Saturday and family and friends would drop in throughout the day and eat and chat. It was fairly standard easy stuff but always seemed popular.

• Couple of trays of roast chicken drumsticks, with good crispy skin
• Several French baguettes sliced on an angle and liberally buttered
• Corn on the cob with butter and salt
• potato salad
• coleslaw
• 1970s Brit salad - iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced cucumber
• jars of picked onion and pickled beetroot
• boiled eggs

Then dessert would be shop bought

• trifle
• cheesecake
• Sara Lee double chocolate gateaux (had to lurk around the table and grab this quick before anyone else got to it)
• pavlova

Kids would have glasses of lemonade and cola, as many as we could get away with.
Adults would have so many cups of tea the kettle never seemed to stop.

What about some big pies! I like the Paul Hollywood chilli beef pie with cornbread topping.
I also did a porchetta with salads one year for around that number!

Chilli. Always chilli for a big crowd. With guacamole, tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream,salsa...omg I want some now!

Baked potatoes

Tray bake Spanish chicken?

Coronation chicken works well with baked potatoes or rice on the side.

this is great, thank you, keep them coming. To answer a few questions, no vegetarians or dietary requirements, sit down or buffet style either or really, it’s a very fluid situation at the moment! Knives and forks - yes

I’ll need to make desserts as well !

I’m waiting for an opportunity to do a big chilli / baked potato board, a bit like this one:

Puds are easier - massive cheeseboard, no bake cheesecakes or lemon posset, can be made in big quantities

I've done pies. Really easy to prepare days ahead. On the day get filling to room temperature put on puffy pasty lids, chuck in the oven. Massive pot of mash. I always do a braised red cabbage which can be heated in microwave or pre-roasted carrots and parsnips which get heated up in oven.

Fajitas

Pies!

Chicken, ham and leek and a huge sausage roll sliced. Sides of mash, gravy and cabbage.

Chilli
Chicken enchiladas w all the toppings and sides
Taco night
Chicken curry and a lamb/spicier chicken curry with rice naans papadums etc
Big tray bake/airfry of chicken wings, drumsticks, breaded fried chicken etc with rice
Or lots of filo pastry pies ?

Tartiflette, you can pre in advance and serve with crusty bread and green salad.

Pulled pork sandwiches with homemade coleslaw and potato wedges.

Sticky toffee pudding freezes well, or you can make the day before.

I love apple crumble too.

Gammon, can be made in advance and served either hot or cold.
For a big group in cold weather I've done a buffet with a gammon and a couple of serve-yourself hot roast chickens, a bowl of boiled new potatoes, and a selection of non-leafy salads, plus baguette/baps, butter and mayo.

Fruit salad is an easy dessert, or you pre-make individual possets, panna cottas or syllabubs if you have fridge space.

Keep it simple and tasty, and relaxed.

Sausage casserole
A couple of curries
Cod wrapped in pancetta traybake.

Ahh.. the annual 'huge pot of chilli'. The MN winter equivalent to summer's'massive salad'