16 people

[kathleenm]

hey guys
i no its late notice but i need help i have to cook diner for 16 people on sunday and my mind is drawing a blank as to what to cook. theres 8 adults 4 kids and 3 under the age of 3.
.... HELP ...

[fundj&e]

 

for that many ppl i would do

a big tray of lasange
some veal involtini
a ice cream cheese cake

all can be made a few day b4hand

[goldfish]

 . .  Gert's pizza would also feed an army!!! . .serve it along with fundji's suggestions - and so easy to make - not sure of the link . . it was adapted from a Jamie Oliver recipe . . does anyone else know where it can be found?

[Cuilidh]

I would look at Fundj's suggestion.  She's got a good idea for cooking for lots of people.

If you wanted to get away from the Italian influence, a couple of Indian dishes could work as well, papadams, raitas, etc.  but perhaps that would be OK for the adults, but may be too spicy for the youngsters.

[kathleenm]

i love the icecream cake idea but lasange is somthing we all ways do 

[ElleG]

When in my home town I used to regularly cook for my family 20 to 25 people who like plain food. So I would have things like a bit pot of pumpkin soup, a very flavoursome casserole (triple the amount) or roast chickens with a potato bake and salads. Other ideas were sphagetti, chicken soup or a curry. Always served with bread sticks or buns. Brushetta was always popular, or bread sticks sliced and topped with a variety of toppings.

I could premake most of the food and serve in large slow cookers to keep hot. Or if I ran out of slow cookers, I had a portable hot plate I would keep large bowls of soup hot.

The desserts were premade usually served in a small cup. I had 50 fine cappauchino cups that I used for hot or cold deserts and soups.
Chocolate mousse was the all time favourite and could be made the day before and cream, choc etc added in the morning.

That's just some of the ideas, don't stress, look at what will be easier for you on the day.   You want to be relaxed and enjoy the company.
Preset where you will be eating and don't forget Easter eggs!
And I just remembered the free mag from Coles was lovely this month  - I don't eaten gluten or added sugars, but I read it and wished I did! it might be worth having a look at.

[mcmich]

A leg of lamb is an easy meal. You can slow cook on the bbq or in the oven. If you have a large oval slow cooker it could always be done in that too. Some easy do ahead sides are zucchini slice and potato bake. Have a wonderful day.

[obbie]

Deserts could be chocolate moose, or chocolate ice cream cake, Little lemon puddings,
Fruit sorbet is fast.

I like the idea of soup, with Isis bread rolls.

Do you want ideas for finger food too.
Robyn

[achookwoman]

Dips
Bread sticks
Roast lamb or chickens
Squashed potatoes.  Steamed and then flattened, sprayed with oil, P and S and stuck in oven for 10 mins. or pot bake
Salads.

Lots of sweets.
Isi's Coffee cream
Chocolate pud, cold
Trifle with Easter eggs
Cake

Except the roast everything can be done prior.
have a great day.
We are only having 10.

[Tan]

hi Kathleen,

i am in a similar situation
i have 7 extra bodies staying all easter weekend ( coming Thursady and going on monday or Tuesday)
One lunch and another dinner i could have up to 16 -.

trying to get organised in advance so i dont spend all of my time in the kitchen  !!!  Although i love it - i am hoping to relax at some stage over the weekend. ( With a glass of wine in Hand !!!!!)
 i will do fish on friday - maybe a BBQ one night, roast on another night and maybe Lasagna etc another night.

have already done a heap of ice, and lots of frozen berries on hand for Fruity dream.
Will do a pavlova one night, and really want to try some desserts out of For Foods Sake if i get time,  oh and also need to make hot cross buns !!!

Tan

[judydawn]

. .  Gert's pizza would also feed an army!!! . .serve it along with fundji's suggestions - and so easy to make - not sure of the link . . it was adapted from a Jamie Oliver recipe . . does anyone else know where it can be found?

Here's the thread that has the link to Jamie Oliver's pizza dough.

[KerrynN]

An Indian feast is always good - gives you options as to chicken, lamb, beef, veg.
Or Mexican is another idea - nachos, tacos, potato skins, refried beans, enchiladas, burritos... Yum!

[Lellyj]

I agree with the Indian feast idea, it's so easy to have all the curries already made, cook ups some rice and if you really want to show off make some naan!  A double quantity of two or three curries or maybe some dahl, pickles chutney yogurt.  Fruit sorbets for desert . . . done!!  Uni's Italian idea would also be good for cooking ahead.

[meganjane]

Indian Feast would be my choice too. Easy, make ahead and reasonably inexpensive as you can make a lot of vegetable and lentil or chick pea curries as well.
Lots of raita, pickles and some Indian flat bread to go with it.

[kathleenm]

thanks for the suggestions everyone. im thinking bout chicken and cashews with coconut satay and rice followed by butter scotch self sauceing pudding.