topic Re: Need Food Ideas for Christmas Gathering for a Crowd in Recipes

Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:31:53 GMT

OK, I am an early thinker. My husband's family gathers together on Christmas day (40+ adults/children). Besides the purchased chicken, everyone brings something (except the 20 somethings). I was the one that always brought stuffed cabbage, but that got to be too much for me, so another younger family member took that over. Last year I made italian beef, which was barely touched.

The menu usually is chicken, deli tray for sandwiches, stuffed cabbage, potatoes, coleslaw, haluski, barbecue kolbassi, pierogi, ham salad, fruit salad, jello salad and a whole load snacks and dips. It's really overkill with the amount of food. There is even a dessert table. We all chip in for the chicken and beverage costs. Note, for years we have put our heads together and tried to pare this down with a simple set menu, no success, people feel that need to continue to bring food.

I thought about something healthier like a salad, but have seen that done in the past and it didn't go over well. So I was thinking something italian, like lasagna or spaghetti pie.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Christmas Gathering for a Crowd

Blk&GoldFan — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:26:25 GMT

Sounds like a Western PA party! Okay....great ethnic menu. Think you could eliminate the chicken with all the great food you have coming, but that is purchased, so that's not time consuming for anyone. You have so much in the sandwich tray, ham salad, halushki, kielbassi, pierogi...Like you said, food overload. You could try a complete change....soup(s)...maybe 2 choices....say vegetable and wedding.....sandwich trays and salads, as well as your dessert table. The soups can be made ahead and always improve when done that way....even frozen so the holidays aren't so crazy.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Christmas Gathering for a Crowd

circles — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:26:44 GMT

I don't have an answer for you....just wanted to let you know I had to chuckle at your thread title...they cut off the "D"

So it reads Need Food Ideas For Christmas Gathering for a "CROW".....

Re: Need Food Ideas for Christmas Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:32:37 GMT

@circles wrote:
I don't have an answer for you....just wanted to let you know I had to chuckle at your thread title...they cut off the "D"

So it reads Need Food Ideas For Christmas Gathering for a "CROW".....

OMG, that is too funny! I'm glad we can edit titles now.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Christmas Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:50:50 GMT

@StlrFan wrote:
Sounds like a Western PA party! Okay....great ethnic menu. Think you could eliminate the chicken with all the great food you have coming, but that is purchased, so that's not time consuming for anyone. You have so much in the sandwich tray, ham salad, halushki, kielbassi, pierogi...Like you said, food overload. You could try a complete change....soup(s)...maybe 2 choices....say vegetable and wedding.....sandwich trays and salads, as well as your dessert table. The soups can be made ahead and always improve when done that way....even frozen so the holidays aren't so crazy.

Yes, we are definitely in Western PA. Thank goodness, this isn't held up at our house. I would go nuts. MY SIL and BIL get the honor of hosting as they have the biggest home with the most bathrooms. They are very organized and get as much set up ahead of time as possible. A lot of the relatives will bring over their dishes the day prior. Her and I have talked several times about how we can control the menu because quite frankly it gets very chaotic, people arriving at different times, children running all over the place, food to be reheated, setting up, cleaning up and divving up the left overs and still trying to enjoy the festivities. Soup would be great, but I worry about the spillage, as people are sitting in four different areas with many having plates on their laps.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Mactective — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 21:07:01 GMT

Could you have everyone bring a certain amount of something in separate containers so that what isn't needed can be sent home? I don't mind leftovers but I don't like them if they've been sitting out on a buffet table and picked at. If everyone divided up their dishes for a bring one and bring one for someone else to take home, they will still have the joy of bringing food, you would have back up food in case you ran out of something and "fresh" leftovers could be sent home with each family (one meat, one starch, one vegetable, one dessert) for a second meal the next day.

You could also set things up like a cookie exchange - everyone bring XX number of servings of something and then everyone gets to take some of several things home. Same idea just done a little differently.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

momtochloe — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:10:02 GMT

I know this may sound like a silly idea but I have never been to any kind of a gathering when pigs in a blanket don't get gobbled up (appetizer size).

The reason why I bring this up as it sounds like you have folks coming and going at all hours during the day and also a wide swing of ages. These are easy to eat, easy for the little ones, easy to toss into the microwave to reheat if needed and no spillage.

And I personally could make an entire meal of them . . .

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

DiAnne — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:57:42 GMT

There may be members of your family that would enjoy some lighter fare. I would bring a big green salad may be with mandarian orange, avocado and cheddar cheese added.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 00:02:08 GMT

@momtochloe wrote:
I know this may sound like a silly idea but I have never been to any kind of a gathering when pigs in a blanket don't get gobbled up (appetizer size).

The reason why I bring this up as it sounds like you have folks coming and going at all hours during the day and also a wide swing of ages. These are easy to eat, easy for the little ones, easy to toss into the microwave to reheat if needed and no spillage.

And I personally could make an entire meal of them . . .

There is pretty much a set time when we eat. But you always have the late comers. The food is still out, so they're pretty much on on their own. When I made the stuffed cabbage, made at least 80 full sized. Have to be full sized per my husband and a specific recipe. There had to be adequate remaining for take home, otherwise all "H" would break loose. There are a few people who arrived early and ask for some to be set aside to ensure they had some to take home.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 00:06:03 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
There may be members of your family that would enjoy some lighter fare. I would bring a big green salad may be with mandarian orange, avocado and cheddar cheese added.

Personally, DiAnne, I am one of those people. There is just too much heavy stuff. I might go ahead and try a salad this year and some appetizers.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Desertdi — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 04:01:53 GMT

40 people would suffocate in my house...........but, I'd order pizza to be delivered at intervals.............

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

qualitygal — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:44:38 GMT

Simplify, simplify, simplify. Make it a big finger food get together. Make everything disposable at the end. I love veggie trays, how about some crockpot meatballs? I know Taste of Home had a whole book on crowds, or look up church pot lucks, they have some good ideas with recipes. JMHO

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

novamc1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:21:55 GMT

@Allegheny

Here's what I thought was a great idea for keeping food at a safe temperature for long parties and buffets where people come and go at various times, or when entertaining outdoors when it's hot.

From a garden store or elsewhere, buy a long rectangular potting container, line it with plastic (trash bags, maybe), fill it with bags of ice, and place 2-4 bowls of food on the ice..

Seems to me a big family gathering could include bowls of chicken salad, pasta salad, tuna salad, fruit salad, ham salad, potato salad, cole slaw, egg salad, boiled shrimp, etc, -- and have nearby some of those little "slider" sandwich rolls that are available in the bread aisle at your local grocery so folks can make their own sandwiches.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

sfnative — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:35:21 GMT

@Allegheny

Hi Allegheny,

I'm going to take a chance and post this recipe. It's one that I asked for time and time again from a friend who owned a catering business in Marin County, CA. She refused to give it to me. However, we both belonged to the same non-profit organization and one evening we had a pot luck and she brought this salad. Here was my opportunity. I placed a serving on a plate and sat down with it and a fork, then slowly picked apart the various components. Well, my catering fried came over and asked what I was doing, so I told her that since she wouldn't share her recipe, I was going to figure it out this way. What will you dress it with, she asked me most hautily. Why, with Randy's dressing, of course. Anyway, here's the recipe. **I now add matchstick pieces of hard salame to the salad.

Marin County’s Best Garden Vegetable Salad

1 pkg feta cheese, crumbled

3 carrots, diced

3 zucchini, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 pint of cherry or your favorite small tomatoes, cut in half

1 can pitted kalamata olives, sliced

1 bunch scallions, slice both white and green

1/3 cup chopped Italian parsley

2 stalks of celery, diced

Cork screw pasta (1 box or pkg)

Randy’s vinaigrette dressing (see below)

Chop all vegetables. Cook and drain pasta, then cool to room temp. Mix all together in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss, 30 minutes before serving.

Randy’s Vinaigrette Dressing

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup canola, corn oil, or safflower oil

4 Tbs vinegar (wine, tarragon, dark balsamic, light balsamic)

1 tsp table salt

¼ tsp finely ground pepper

½ tsp dry mustard

2 cloves garlic, chopped small

Combine in a container from which the dressing can be easily poured, then shake vigorously. Make one day ahead of intended initial use so flavors can develop.

*I usually double this recipe. It’s been a staple in my frig since passed along to me by a dear friend in the late 70s.

*When I discovered light balsamic vinegar, it was necessary to go to lighter oil, so brought safflower into the mix.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:04:59 GMT

@sfnative

Hi sfnative

Thank you so much for sharing the salad recipe. It sound right up my alley. I like the addition of salami. It would be a nice addition to the Christmas menu and most of the other foods are served heated. Sounds refreshing buy yet hardy.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

sfnative — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:38:44 GMT

@Allegheny wrote:
@sfnative

Hi sfnative
Thank you so much for sharing the salad recipe. It sound right up my alley. I like the addition of salami. It would be a nice addition to the Christmas menu and most of the other foods are served heated. Sounds refreshing buy yet hardy.

@Allegheny

Hi Allegheny,

I went back into my post because I caught a few errors, as I was rushing to get the lasagna out of the oven when I posted it. If you plan on using it or want to keep it for future reference please make sure you have the corrected version. Thanks! ~Rebecca

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:04:06 GMT

@sfnative wrote:
@Allegheny wrote:
@sfnative

Hi sfnative
Thank you so much for sharing the salad recipe. It sound right up my alley. I like the addition of salami. It would be a nice addition to the Christmas menu and most of the other foods are served heated. Sounds refreshing buy yet hardy.
@Allegheny

Hi Allegheny,

I went back into my post because I caught a few errors, as I was rushing to get the lasagna out of the oven when I posted it. If you plan on using it or want to keep it for future reference please make sure you have the corrected version. Thanks! ~Rebecca

Thank you for letting me know.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

momtochloe — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:13:27 GMT

I signed up for email blasts from this site and just love what they send. Here are some great ideas for appetizer type snacks both savory and sweet:

http://www.tablespoon.com/posts/game-day-party-rings-for-couch-grazers/27b4e5b2-eaa1-45b8-ab36-5436893a5ab8?utm_source=Email_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TBSP_10_11_2015

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

denisemb — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:16:31 GMT

@novamc1 wrote:
@Allegheny

Here's what I thought was a great idea for keeping food at a safe temperature for long parties and buffets where people come and go at various times, or when entertaining outdoors when it's hot.

From a garden store or elsewhere, buy a long rectangular potting container, line it with plastic (trash bags, maybe), fill it with bags of ice, and place 2-4 bowls of food on the ice..

Seems to me a big family gathering could include bowls of chicken salad, pasta salad, tuna salad, fruit salad, ham salad, potato salad, cole slaw, egg salad, boiled shrimp, etc, -- and have nearby some of those little "slider" sandwich rolls that are available in the bread aisle at your local grocery so folks can make their own sandwiches.

Another suggestion is to buy a $ store "under the bed" plastic storage box, fill with ice and nestle your "cold" food bowls. (We do this for family reunions.)

My favorite crowd recipe is allrecipes.com antipasto pasta salad. I've tweaked it over the years (use all genoa salami instead of 1/2 pepperoni, halved grape tomatoes instead of whole chopped, add a bit of sweet onion - and we prefer the dressing to be a bit more vinegary.) This can be made the day ahead,in which case save some of the dressing to pour at the last minute.and toss.

Re: Need Food Ideas for Gathering for a Crowd

Allegheny — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:32:52 GMT

@denisemb wrote:
@novamc1 wrote:
@Allegheny

Here's what I thought was a great idea for keeping food at a safe temperature for long parties and buffets where people come and go at various times, or when entertaining outdoors when it's hot.

From a garden store or elsewhere, buy a long rectangular potting container, line it with plastic (trash bags, maybe), fill it with bags of ice, and place 2-4 bowls of food on the ice..

Seems to me a big family gathering could include bowls of chicken salad, pasta salad, tuna salad, fruit salad, ham salad, potato salad, cole slaw, egg salad, boiled shrimp, etc, -- and have nearby some of those little "slider" sandwich rolls that are available in the bread aisle at your local grocery so folks can make their own sandwiches.
Another suggestion is to buy a $ store "under the bed" plastic storage box, fill with ice and nestle your "cold" food bowls. (We do this for family reunions.)

My favorite crowd recipe is allrecipes.com antipasto pasta salad. I've tweaked it over the years (use all genoa salami instead of 1/2 pepperoni, halved grape tomatoes instead of whole chopped, add a bit of sweet onion - and we prefer the dressing to be a bit more vinegary.) This can be made the day ahead,in which case save some of the dressing to pour at the last minute.and toss.

Hi Denise, thanks for the great suggestions regarding cold food storage. I leave that up to my SIL. The majority of the crowd eats at one time and after eating we pack the food up and put it in the frig for any really late arrivers. Actually, we have more hot foods served at the Christmas gathering. Some bring their stuff in crock pots. But I tell you it is a real pain reheating all the other hot stuff in the oven and microwave before serving. I love the description of your recipe, I could eat that all day.