Anonymous
06/14/2023 17:46
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible.
Eh, Op said it was 20 teens and their parents. This type of food is perfect.
Disagree. I don't know why you'd dismiss teenagers (and their parents) as people who deserve quality food.
So OP should serve organic grass fed beef wellington and 3 spears of aspergus instead?
Don’t be ridiculous, beef Wellington has carbs. We can’t be serving carbs on DCUM.
Anonymous
06/14/2023 17:17
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
^^^ This sounds good, but I think you need more than 2 lbs of chicken breast for 20 people.
Anonymous
06/14/2023 09:22
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
I’m in favor of a taco bar, too. You can basically prep all ahead. Chicken, black beans, rice, diced tomato, onion and avocado, shredded cheese, salsa. Add chips and salsa.
If you don’t want to grill, it is easy to make taco chicken in a crockpot - place 2 lb chicken breasts in crockpot, season with salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powders, dump a jar of salsa over and cook on high for 4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks, pour off some of the liquid but not all, and toss back in the remaining salsa liquid.
If you don’t want to grill, it is easy to make taco chicken in a crockpot - place 2 lb chicken breasts in crockpot, season with salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powders, dump a jar of salsa over and cook on high for 4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks, pour off some of the liquid but not all, and toss back in the remaining salsa liquid.
Anonymous
06/14/2023 09:10
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
If you have someone who is good at grilling, you can grill while people hang out.
We did this one year for 26 people, I made some modifications for you since you don’t like cooking
Grill chicken in lime marinade (just google for a recipe, there are many), slice when done
Grill bell peppers cut in half, and then slice into strips
Warm tortillas in tinfoil on grill
Cotija and cheddar cheese out
Buy guac from Costco if you don’t want to make it
Black beans and/or refried beans - warm them, taste and salt the black beans.
Grilled corn with cotija and sour cream sauce to make it “street corn” (google elote recipes)
Have chips and salsa out while you grill
Beer, soda, wine or batch margaritas
Whatever easy dessert - I love ice cream cones and fancy ice cream because they are fun, no dishes, and adults are usually excited to have one
We did this one year for 26 people, I made some modifications for you since you don’t like cooking
Grill chicken in lime marinade (just google for a recipe, there are many), slice when done
Grill bell peppers cut in half, and then slice into strips
Warm tortillas in tinfoil on grill
Cotija and cheddar cheese out
Buy guac from Costco if you don’t want to make it
Black beans and/or refried beans - warm them, taste and salt the black beans.
Grilled corn with cotija and sour cream sauce to make it “street corn” (google elote recipes)
Have chips and salsa out while you grill
Beer, soda, wine or batch margaritas
Whatever easy dessert - I love ice cream cones and fancy ice cream because they are fun, no dishes, and adults are usually excited to have one
Anonymous
06/13/2023 21:24
Subject: Re:Casual dinner for large family gathering?
tacos
Anonymous
05/23/2023 14:12
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Costco prepared meals are another option which will be cheaper than catering.
Anonymous
05/23/2023 14:11
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:What’s wrong with pizza for a casual dinner, especially when OP says she’s a bad cook, can’t afford catering for 20, and doesn’t want to be actively cooking after people arrive?
I am far from a food snob, but I would hate to be served pizza. I would do some type of homemade casserole even though they are dismissed by food snobs. Options for casseroles include lasagna, baked ziti or baked spaghetti, chicken/turkey tetrazzini, enchiladas, chicken divan, or even a basic Mac n cheese with ham and peas. All of these you can serve sides of salad and bread.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 21:14
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Honeybaked ham, mustard, make a pan of Mac n cheese, baked beans, salad, rolls
Anonymous
05/22/2023 21:07
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible. [/qu
I’m not pp but this can be done in a very elegant way. Serve gourmet pizza, not Little Ceasar’s or Dominos. Have a wing platter, Make a large salad and do an ice cream bar. Not cheap at all. Will be more expensive than cooking.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 19:23
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
What’s wrong with pizza for a casual dinner, especially when OP says she’s a bad cook, can’t afford catering for 20, and doesn’t want to be actively cooking after people arrive?
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:24
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible.
Eh, Op said it was 20 teens and their parents. This type of food is perfect.
Disagree. I don't know why you'd dismiss teenagers (and their parents) as people who deserve quality food.
So OP should serve organic grass fed beef wellington and 3 spears of aspergus instead?
OP should do what they feel is right and what they feel reflects their values when it comes to friendship and food and hosting. I'm just saying what I do. And I serve high quality food, not Dominos and "tubs of ice cream."
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:20
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible.
Eh, Op said it was 20 teens and their parents. This type of food is perfect.
Disagree. I don't know why you'd dismiss teenagers (and their parents) as people who deserve quality food.
So OP should serve organic grass fed beef wellington and 3 spears of aspergus instead?
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:16
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible.
Eh, Op said it was 20 teens and their parents. This type of food is perfect.
Disagree. I don't know why you'd dismiss teenagers (and their parents) as people who deserve quality food.
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:12
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Is this for a graduation party Op?
Anonymous
05/22/2023 17:11
Subject: Casual dinner for large family gathering?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pizza is cheap and easy. Order pizza and wings and make a big green salad to go with. Tubs of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, m&m's for DIY ice cream sundaes.
I like to treat people coming to my home better than this. I don't want to just feed them the cheapest crap possible.
Eh, Op said it was 20 teens and their parents. This type of food is perfect.