Menu Ideas for a crowd

[DeniseB]

I have taken on the job of cooking a weekly dinner for 50-70 people. I have some ideas for menus, but wondered if any of you have suggestions. I need to come up with meal plans, including dessert, which I can cook with little or no help. Make ahead recipes would be good. The cost should average out to less than $1.75 per person. Any ideas?

[SusanL]

Denise B- Sorry, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif If you go to search you type in cooking for a crowd and hit submit. Here is one of the threads-Try again I did a search and hope that these threads might help. I think I put a website for cooking for a crowd on there. Hope it helps you. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/002846.html http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001421.html



[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 01-18-2001).]

[Jessica]

Chili and bean soups are easy to make for a crowd. Add bread or crackers and some fruit or salad and you have a healthy meal.

[Leanne]

I second Jessica. Chili was the first thing I thought of - with cornbread, salad, & maybe a cobbler for dessert.
Soups are easy & there are a ton of varieties out there.
There's also lasagna & easier other casserole-type dishes that you can make ahead to "feed the masses".
Spaghetti with a salad is cheap & easy.
Other pastas would probably do the trick as well - maybe a fettucini with cream sauce where they could add mixed veggies or chicken (or both).
Quiche would probably work too - you could make a variety to suit several tastes.
Salads as a meal - provide chopped chicken & other toppings for them to chose from.
Most enchilada recipes make pretty many too, sort of casserole-style.
Barbeque sandwiches or sloppy joes with things like cole slaw & potato salad.
I would almost always include a salad & bread that fits the style of dinner.

[DeniseB]

Thanks for the great suggestions. Many of your ideas echo what I had thought of so far, especially Leanne's list .If several of us agree, that must mean they will work well! I think I will try the spaghetti, a Chicken taco salad, enchiladas, and the BBQ beef sandwiches with salads. I am also doing a baked potato bar and a chicken recipe. I am going to try making a rice dish with the chicken. I am not sure how to cook that much rice.
Since I have two mexican type dishes, I am not sure if I will go with chili or the Italian bean soup, Pasta Fagoli...I'll have to think about it. I am alittle unsure of how to bake such big batches of corn bread.
Oh, Susan, I was not able to get the link to work and I'd really like to read what is there. I'll try again later. Well, thanks much.

[mlynn]

DeniseB--

If you're planning on doing this often, you may want Check out "Tast of Home." It's a cooking magazine that has a monthly feature that includes recipes suitable for large crowds. My mother gave me a few issues, and while I wouldn't categorize the recipes as gourmet, or even particularly light, they may give you some ideas.

mlynn

[This message has been edited by mlynn (edited 01-17-2001).]

[SusanL]

Denise B- I edited my previous thread, sorry for the incorrect thread. Try it again, your menu is coming along very well. Good Luck!

[carolynne]

Denise
I cook for the homeless and elderly -
50- 80 pp once a month and found that stirfry dishes are a great way to
go - easy to cook meat ahead and just add veg. Also meatloaf, chicken potpie and beef stew is great.
Apple crisp, jello with whipped cream and
bread pudding goes over very well.

[DeniseB]

Thanks everyone! You are all really helping. mlynn, I actually have many issues of Taste of home from a year or two back, I'll have to check them!
Carolynne, I was wondering if stir-fry would work. I've done it for 20-25 but, I was worried that it might get soggy if it takes too long to serve. Do you use a steamer tray? Also, How long do you bake a big tray of apple crisp? These are some of my question about how to change recipes for a crowd.
Again, you all have really helped me think of good, healthy ideas.Thanks.