Help with feeding lots of people

[Michele]

I would like most of this to be frozen or prepared ahead of time. I'm talking about 5 days worth of meals here. Any ideas?

So far, I have thought of freezing stuffed shells or lasagna....preparing and freezing meatballs (then I will just put them in the crockpot with marinara sauce and serve with noodles)

Possibly, I could have a huge pot of chili on a laid back day.

Any other ideas?

[Michele]

BTW, more crockpot ideas would be WONDERFUL!

I am thinking of buying another crockpot so that I'll have two. We're talking 7-8 adults and 7 children. Good Lord.

[Allison]

I would think soup would be good. Maybe a big pot of chicken tortilla or something?

[Phoebe]

(A few that I copied off another board)

This one looks easy -

"Green Chili Roast

2-3 lb boneless pork roast
2 cans green chilis
1 can diced Rotel tomatoes

Put all in a crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

I shred it after it's done and use it in lots of recipes. We also roll it up in lc tortillas with our favorite toppings. MMMM!"

You could shred it and do a Taco night kind of thing. Lay out bowls with chopped onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pico de gallo, guac, sour cream, jalapenos, taco shells, tortillas, chips, etc. Let peeps make their own.

This one looks yum, too.

"Crock Pot Italian Beef


Ingredients:
3 to 4 pound rump roast
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce (no sugar added variety)
2 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
Dash Worcestershire sauce
Dash soy sauce
1 package Italian salad dressing mix (Good Seasons)

Put roast in crock pot. Combine remaining ingredients in saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat and pour over roast in crock pot. Cook all night on low or 6 to 8 hours on high. About 1 and 1/2 hours before serving, flake meat apart and continue cooking.

Serves 6 – 8. Approx. 1 gram per serving."

"Coke Brisket

3 onions, sliced
4 1/2 to 5 lb. beef brisket, well-trimmed
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tbsp. paprika
1/4-1/2 cup Steels LC apricot jam ( or other brand)
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup diet cola

Throw in crockpot on low for 8-10 hours and you are good to go


OR
1. Spray a large roasting pan with non-stick spray. Place onions in pan; place brisket on top of onions. Rub meat on all sides with garlic, seasonings, jam and lemon juice. Pour cola over and around brisket. Marinate for an hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F. Cook covered. Allow 45 minutes per lb. as the cooking time, until meat is fork tender. Uncover meat for the last hour and baste it occasionally. Remove from oven and cool completely. Refrigerate overnight, if possible. Discard hardened fat which congeals on the surface. Slice brisket thinly across the grain, trimming away any fat. Reheat slices in the defatted pan juices.
Yield: 12 servings. Reheats and/or freezes well."

[Michele]

I would think soup would be good. Maybe a big pot of chicken tortilla or something?

Yeah, that's a good idea. I like making soup...I'd probably like something to serve with it for the men. :rolleyes: I usually make grilled cheese, but I wonder if there's something better I can make for company.

Any sandwich/wrap recipes?

I think I'll buy a buttload of iceburg lettuce (which I usually don't get) because it's cheap and make those lettuce wedge salads with bleu cheese dressing and bacon.

[KarenMA]

How about a pot roast or beef stew. Those could both be made in the crockpot. This week I made a crockpot recipe that was really simple but tasted good. Here's what I did you could adjust for the number of servings

Take 2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach and put in the bottom of the crockpot (still frozen) Take 4 frozen chicken breast and put in the crockpot still frozen. Pour a few tablespoons of your favorite salad dressing on top (I used creamy italian but ranch and blue cheese would be good). I then sprinkled some garlic powder, onion powder and pepper on top. Cook on low for 6 hours if you have a newer crockpot and 8-10 hours if you have an older one.

Oh, how about meatloaf? You could make the mixture up ahead of time, freeze it. Then when you want it, thaw, shape and bake.

Regarding your above post about sandwiches, I served soup and sandwiches to guest once and here's what I did.

I got some good, hearty artisan bread and made 2 types of grilled sandwiches: 1) fresh mozzarella, sliced with tomato and fresh basil leaves 2) a good ham (like black forest) and swiss cheese.

[Michele]

Thanks Phoebe! I really like the green chili roast idea. Kinda like fajitas in a way, huh?

[Michele]

How about a pot roast or beef stew. Those could both be made in the crockpot. This week I made a crockpot recipe that was really simple but tasted good. Here's what I did you could adjust for the number of servings

Take 2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach and put in the bottom of the crockpot (still frozen) Take 4 frozen chicken breast and put in the crockpot still frozen. Pour a few tablespoons of your favorite salad dressing on top (I used creamy italian but ranch and blue cheese would be good). I then sprinkled some garlic powder, onion powder and pepper on top. Cook on low for 6 hours if you have a newer crockpot and 8-10 hours if you have an older one.

Thanks. I :love: spinach.

[Phoebe]

Pasta, pasta, pasta. Linda Sues meatballs are great, too!

[Phoebe]

http://members.tripod.com/~lotsofinfo/

Check it out :)

[Michele]

Ooh...thanks! Perfect!

Did you see the Sandwich cake? Using round bread. That's kinda cool for a soup/sandwich day.

[Phoebe]

Cool! Perfect!

[Rebecca]

*hungry*

I need a crockpot. I must make that green chili roast. :eat:

[Natale]

I made "pulled pork" yesterday, which consisted of a pork tenderloin cooked in the crockpot on high 4-5 hours with a bottle of BBQ sauce. I'm planning to make cole slaw to go with in a little bit.

I've done "salad" bar for groups before, a lot of the parts can be prepared ahead of time and people seem to like it: Leftover chicken (grilled or fried), cheese, bacon bits, hard boiled eggs, cheese, pico de gallo, rotini pasta, lettuce, ranch dressing.

Baked potato bar for lunch? Uses some of the same ingredients as the salad bar.

Lasagna is always good. A King Ranch or Enchilada casserole.

I usually stock the "breakfast basket" when I have overnight company with breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, etc. and leave it out on the counter. I'm not an early riser nor a big breakfast-fixer so my company is kind of on their own for breakfast.

[Moke]

My contribution: lots of plastic utensils and throw away plates, bowls, cups etc. I love the environment but I don't love running the dishwasher thirty eleven times a day.

[aki]

Chicken and spaghetti with garlic bread and a big green salad is good!

[Sheba]

One of my ole favorites is mexican chicken in the crockpot. If you don't want to debone get boneless chicken otherwise stuff a crockpot with pieces or a whole chicken (remove the pack!) & cover with about 3 cups of salsa. Don't add water, the chicken will make a bunch of it's own. Serve with veggies & rice YUM!

Check out the Black Bean soup recipe too, I think I posted it in this forum - EXCELLENT everyone raved how good it was, serve with rice & cornbread. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/231174
PS this made ALOT of juice, either cut down some on the water or add more beans. Top with sour cream & guac, its awesome.


How about a big throw away container of lasagna? you can pre-build it & freeze til you need it.

[Michele]

I usually stock the "breakfast basket" when I have overnight company with breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, etc. and leave it out on the counter. I'm not an early riser nor a big breakfast-fixer so my company is kind of on their own for breakfast.

I :heart: this idea.

[Dar]

On a day you feel like making breakfast, you could make a frittata. I love frittata but it's hard to make for one or two. I have some breakfast recipes that feed alot of people and can be prepared in advance. If you're interested, I can dig them up. I think one is some sort of raisin bread french toast kind of thing, and the other is an egg dish.

Our favorite crock pot recipe is Polynesian Spare Ribs from Rival's crockpot cookbook. They are absolutely heavenly but not LC.

[Rebecca]

I HAVE to get a crock pot.

[Natale]

You really should have a crockpot Beaker. I'd send you one of mine but they are too heavy to ship reasonably.

[collrob2101]

I just got a crock pot last week at target. I made a rumproast in it. It was so yummy and painless. Candidcam helped me out a lot with it because it was my first time.

[Becky]

You mentioned meatballs. Another great way to serve them (and super easy). BUY the Italian Meatballs. Take a jar of cocktail sauce and a small jar of grape jelly - - dump it all in a crockpot.

Wonderful.