Need ideas for inexpensive food for 25 people

[Anonymous]

I cook a lot so I know exactly how much food costs. In fact I made pea and mint soup with brown rice and lentils and carrot slaw with those same costly Sunmaid golden raisins for lunch today.

[Anonymous]

I like you, Archenemy. Glad I did not post my 'easy and cheap' tiramisu recipe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

Obesity isn't cheap. A little produce goes a long way!

And all of the above is so cheap....nothing cheaper than raspberry coulis and goat cheese in an endive leaf!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG if anyone has time I would pay you to go online and price out that list and post it back here - enough for 25 people!!!!

NP here. What I find most interesting is that nobody complained about the cost of the macaroni and cheese. I have a lot of parties, and sometimes I cook more healthily and sometimes I just let loose the fat (usually I try to be balanced), but one of the most expensive items that I make is macaroni and cheese. I wouldn't dream of serving the dish without a healthy load of Gruyere, and that is an incredibly expensive ingredient, especially when you make a large quantity, and people eat a LOT of my mac and cheese!

None of the ingredients on pp's list are that pricey. There are a couple items that would be expensive if they were the main ingredient, but they aren't. A little proscuitto and good cheese goes a long way if used properly and makes a huge impression.

On the other hand, this menu is a bit cocktail partyish, and I think the OP was looking for something a bit heartier. When I need a large quantity without too much pretense for low cost, I do a Cincinnati Chili with buffalo meat. Self-served with cheese, beans, onions, and oyster crackers (sometimes fritos too, but that is really taking more from a Texas tradition). I might also serve Barefoot Contessa Broccoli and Bowties, fruit salad, and brownies. Easy, satisying, cheap, can be made in advance and not filled with crap. Not the healthiest meal, but not terrible either (most of the fat is removed from the buffalo when the meat is boiled), which I think is a good compromise for a general party.

I would never consider inviting people over to eat food made by someone at Costco. That is just rude.

[Anonymous]

If I had six bucks for five people I'd serve generic pasta $2 with fatty hamburger meat $1 and sauteed chopped onion $1 and oranges $1 with candied orange peel for dessert. Assuming I have salt, pepper, and sugar in the house as most people do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I had six bucks for five people I'd serve generic pasta $2 with fatty hamburger meat $1 and sauteed chopped onion $1 and oranges $1 with candied orange peel for dessert. Assuming I have salt, pepper, and sugar in the house as most people do.

The thought of eating $1 hamburger meat disgusts me.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I would wait until I had more money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. I would wait until I had more money.

Right! Let them eat cake, said Marie Antoinette!

Has it occurred to you that some people who have $6 to feed 5 people can't just "wait until they have more money"?

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. Leave it to DCUM to come up with a controversy in the Food, Cooking and Restaurants section.

And to be productive: how about chicken kabobs and a green salad? You can get large boneless breasts at Costco, they sell $4 6-packs of mixed bell peppers, 1-2 pinapples and a bag of onions. Marinate all in a soy sauce, honey, ginger marinade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

I am the poster you responded to. She asked for inexpensive. That's it. pasta and salad are easy and cheap. No sure why you think green salad has no nutrients. For the record, I don't eat meat so anything with prosciutto or bacon (nor do a lot of people i know) Goat cheese for 25? at $20/pound? Risotto with pamesan and butter is healthy and nutritous? chocolate mousse? Rich homemade brownies? if you want to throw stones, you might want to throw the right ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

I am the poster you responded to. She asked for inexpensive. That's it. pasta and salad are easy and cheap. No sure why you think green salad has no nutrients. For the record, I don't eat meat so anything with prosciutto or bacon (nor do a lot of people i know) Goat cheese for 25? at $20/pound? Risotto with pamesan and butter is healthy and nutritous? chocolate mousse? Rich homemade brownies? if you want to throw stones, you might want to throw the right ones.

I am with you. I would be happy to get a plate of good lasagna and a green salad and garlic bread. Cheap, satisfying and much better than a dab of goat cheese on an endive leaf and a cold plate of lentils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this thread. Leave it to DCUM to come up with a controversy in the Food, Cooking and Restaurants section.

And to be productive: how about chicken kabobs and a green salad? You can get large boneless breasts at Costco, they sell $4 6-packs of mixed bell peppers, 1-2 pinapples and a bag of onions. Marinate all in a soy sauce, honey, ginger marinade.

Too funny

Like your idea as well. Add rice and that would be perfect.

The other poster just seems intent on telling us all how we don't know hot to cook nor do we know food prices. she just doesn't want to accept that there are lots of solutions to inexpensive food and she doesn't agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

I am the poster you responded to. She asked for inexpensive. That's it. pasta and salad are easy and cheap. No sure why you think green salad has no nutrients. For the record, I don't eat meat so anything with prosciutto or bacon (nor do a lot of people i know) Goat cheese for 25? at $20/pound? Risotto with pamesan and butter is healthy and nutritous? chocolate mousse? Rich homemade brownies? if you want to throw stones, you might want to throw the right ones.

9:35 here. But, your menu doesn't work. You focus on two pastas. There are very few instances where two pastas would be okay, and a menu this small certainly doesn't allow for it. Also, there is nothing for those who are gluten free (or just limiting carbs). As we learned on the asparagus thread, salad does not suffice as the sole vegetable, you need a hot vegetable option of some type. Also a sundae bar for 25 is difficult to manage without a staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

I am the poster you responded to. She asked for inexpensive. That's it. pasta and salad are easy and cheap. No sure why you think green salad has no nutrients. For the record, I don't eat meat so anything with prosciutto or bacon (nor do a lot of people i know) Goat cheese for 25? at $20/pound? Risotto with pamesan and butter is healthy and nutritous? chocolate mousse? Rich homemade brownies? if you want to throw stones, you might want to throw the right ones.

9:35 here. But, your menu doesn't work. You focus on two pastas. There are very few instances where two pastas would be okay, and a menu this small certainly doesn't allow for it. Also, there is nothing for those who are gluten free (or just limiting carbs). As we learned on the asparagus thread, salad does not suffice as the sole vegetable, you need a hot vegetable option of some type. Also a sundae bar for 25 is difficult to manage without a staff.

One pasta can be served.
Sorry but i missed the asparagus thread so i had no idea about the hot veggie rule.
staff for a sundae bar? I have had 9 year olds manage that without staff. Your side of town must be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pasta (ziti or lasagna)

mac n cheese

salads (green, caesar)

garlic bread

sundae bar

Awful, fattening, no nutrient menu. Please don't listen, OP. Nothing is cheaper than green lentils. Cook some perhaps with a chunk of prosciutto and add chopped carrots and leeks and lemon-olive oil for a flavorful cold bean dish. Another easy salad involves cherry tomatoes with capers, yellow raisins, and cauliflower dressed in light oil. Think about doing a spicy chicken curry with rice or cook inexpensive fish filets in coconut milk and red peppers. Risotto prepared with stock, onion, and a heap of parmesan and butter is rich but not expensive. Perhaps add a handful of shrimp for flavor. Another standby of mine is spiced chickpeas garnished with cilantro. Finger food can be as simple as a cube of good cheese paired with a date on a toothpick or apples dabbed with goat cheese nestled in a single endive leaf. For dessert you can stew pears or oranges in wine and anise but that is more wintery. I have had success serving chocolate mousse or lemon mousse for dessert garnished simply with cream and raspberries. Or rich homemade brownies with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with raspberry coulis. Caramelized nuts and ginger cookies round out the dessert buffet.

I am the poster you responded to. She asked for inexpensive. That's it. pasta and salad are easy and cheap. No sure why you think green salad has no nutrients. For the record, I don't eat meat so anything with prosciutto or bacon (nor do a lot of people i know) Goat cheese for 25? at $20/pound? Risotto with pamesan and butter is healthy and nutritous? chocolate mousse? Rich homemade brownies? if you want to throw stones, you might want to throw the right ones.

9:35 here. But, your menu doesn't work. You focus on two pastas. There are very few instances where two pastas would be okay, and a menu this small certainly doesn't allow for it. Also, there is nothing for those who are gluten free (or just limiting carbs). As we learned on the asparagus thread, salad does not suffice as the sole vegetable, you need a hot vegetable option of some type. Also a sundae bar for 25 is difficult to manage without a staff.

A "staff" is needed to serve ice cream? You are hilarious!