Catering for the masses

[theredhen]

I have recently acquired 4 step children and a fiance. .

When we are all together, there are 7 of us, when we invite family / friends round, obviously this number can double.

What do you all cook when cooking for so many. I seem to only be able to think of BBQ's, roasts, lasagne, chilli, curry or casseroles.

Anyone else got any other suggestions?

You could homemake pizza dough and allow everyone to help add the toppings etc. If the children are big enough it could be quite an event.
Marinaded chicken legs can make a good meal for lots of people, either to eat with fingers with salads etc or a polite meal with mashed potato etc.
Shepherd's pie, pies with pastry tops etc.
Lamb/pork chops

There must be lots more...

Hi there,
Sounds like fun though to have such a big family.
When we have a big gathering, I find baked potatoes a good one because then you can provide a range of fillings so everyone gets a choice. We have beans, cheese, chilli, tuna mayo with sweetcorn, cocktail sausages, prawns, strips of ham.
Obviously not all of these at once!!
Good luck with your new family.

My husband aquired 4 step children too when he married me , good on you for not being overwhelmed by the idea of entertaining with them all too.

When we have people over i usually resort to roasts, casseroles, pastas and salads with baked potatoes, or lay the table out like a cold buffet with meats, quiches,crusty bread etc
Occasionaly i feed everyone in 2 sittings, the children first and then set them up with games to keep them occupied and then do an adults sitting while the children all play. I only do this though if i'm wanting to cook something a bit special for the adults that i know the children won't enjoy.

I haven't managed to come up with anything more inventive i'm afraid.

Best of luck with your new family

I cook what I have always cooked, just on a scaled up version, have acquired larger pots and pans along the way though! The only thing I find harder to cook on a large scale is stir fry but still give it a good bash

I feel your pain! I have spent the last month catering for nine children ...it has been an experience!!!

soups are good with bread or garlic bread ( i do a GREAT pea soup which goes down brilliantly with children)
shepherds pie type things are good
lasagne

generally kind of whole-meal- in-one-pot things that can be easliy served

i have a huge ikea le creuset rip off pot which i use a lot. Be warned though - i sometimes SERIOUSLY struggle to lift it..( not joking!)

Thanks for all the replies.

Violet5 - yes I do get very daunted for cooking for the masses, but I try not to let my lack of mass culinary prowess stop me. lol

I already have a le crueset pot and yes, it's blimmin heavy when it's full!

Love the idea of huge pots of soup and large shepherd's pies etc. Unfortunately, my 9 all like different things at different ages and stages.