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!

This is lovely and easy to make. You would need to double the quantities and probably make it in a stock pot or something enormous!

http://recipeofhealth.com/recipe/greek-lamb-stew-nigella-lawson-528593rb

I agree that pies are a great idea! You can make the fillings in the slow cooker ahead of time.

I also love to make a massive sausage cassoulet if feeding a crowd.

Coq au vin or Beef bourguignonare crowd pleasers.

Another favourite is to just do platters of different posh sausages so people can choose their flavours and have easy sides like mustard/horseradish mash and veg plus onion gravy.

Ethiopian lentil stew.

I did my mums birthday for 25 recently and did two porchettas, hassleback potatoes and tender stem. A lot less
Work than buffet style and definitely not chilli!

Venison casserole with port, beefstock, garlic, juniper berries, wild mushrooms, carrots, celery and caramelised onions. Crusty bread or mash. All in a giant pot keeping warm on low oven.
Giant crumble. Just made quince, pear and apple with pecan and brown sugar crumble topping and custard/cream/icecream.

My last big get together I did the following;

(Borrowed 2 slow cookers and have 2 of my own)

• large fish pie (slow cooker)
• large chilli (slow cooker)
• beef casserole (slow cooker)
• rice (slow cooker)
• jacket potatoes (oven)
• plain sausages (oven)
• plain chicken drumsticks (oven)

(Was going to do a chickpea curry on the hob but decided against it in the end )

Out on the table was a large mixed salad, pickles, crudités, dips, crisps, baguette (sliced)

Puddings were ice cream, crumbles (apple & rhubarb, apple & pear) ice lollies for kids

Did basic cheese board (4 cheese, Red Leicester, Stilton, Brie, Boursin) & grapes

Also, borrowed a hot water vat from the community centre and made a drinks station, people helped themselves

I've never microwaved it. I believe I've missed a massive game changer there. If I ever find one again I will do this.

Imagine if I found a Sarah Lee and a tub of super whip

I managed to polish off a Sarah lee chocolate gateau on my own in a single evening when I was a surprisingly thin student 😫 As for menu I've seen various one pot type meals done on a biggish scale. Chilli was successful as was corned beef hash.

Five loaves and two fishes

A nice big chilli served with salad, rice and bread. That’s the easiest thing. Brownies and ice cream for pudding is perfect.

When we're hosting a large group of people we just do pizzas, garlic bread, dips and crudités, crisps and other picky bits. We just keep the pizzas on rotation coming out of the oven. Everything always gets eaten and it is super easy to prep and cook.
Failing that, a chilli premade and then reheated on the day with a variety of sides is always a winner.

Pulled pork or chicken served on burger buns with coleslaw and oven chips.

Portuguese roast chicken pinwheels with potato wedges and garlic.

Salade Nicoise.

Nigella's Vietnamese chicken salad.

Stuffed peppers with rice and mince, maybe Spanish or tex-mex seasoning.

We would do pulled pork in bought buns and a home made southern slaw. We then do some biggie equivalent on side

Beef Bourguignon, dauphinois and greens.

Pavlova.