Conference turris::cooks

    Anything with pasta, especially the noodle salads. Pasta
    is generally well received, can be made in bulk, and is 
    not expensive. 
    
    I think there are pasta salads in a note in here already.
    
    --Louise

    For large crowds there are several alternatives, depending on time,
    availability of a microwave, etc. But with that large a crowd, I would
    think something that can be served cold is easier.
    
    Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:
    
    Canned hams.  Most good markets would be willing to slice them for you,
    and then tie it/them up for you to pop in the micro/reg. oven if you
    want it hot.  Otherwise, it could be served cold.
    
    You could make meatballs ahead in large quantities in the oven, freeze
    and heat when you are ready.  Serve with any kind of sauce you might
    want:  sweet and sour, stroganoff, spaghetti, etc.
    
    You could make oven-fried chicken ahead and serve hot or cold.
    
    There is also the possibility of cold cuts from the market.
    
    Then there is lasagna - always a favorite - a lot of work but it can be
    done ahead.
    
    Roast beef
    
    For vegetables: 	potato/maccaroni salads
    			green salads
    			3 bean salads
    			cole slaws
    			vegetables prepared for dipping (carrot sticks,
    			etc)
    			Baked potatoes reheated in micro (?) and topped
    			with cheese or something like that?
    
    Jello molds
    
    
    Will check my files when I get home to see if I can think of any more
    possibilities.  These are just thoughts off the top of my head.
    
                                    
                        

    THANK YOU!
    
    I like the ham idea. And I'm going to search for a meatball recipe.  
    
    The party will be outdoors and I will having 2 oil barrel grills going
    and putting the food into the throwaway aluminum tins.
    
    Most people will bring cold things, so I figured I'd throw on some warm
    foods.
    
    Thanx for the ideas!
    Lis
    

�    The party will be outdoors and I will having 2 oil barrel grills going
�    and putting the food into the throwaway aluminum tins.
    
    If that's the case, then how about having a couple of coolers next to
    them stocked with hamburgs and hotdogs for people to cook their own?
    
    Fajitas can also work very nicely in this type of setup.  Just marinate
    up a bunch of skirt steak, grill it, slice it, and put it out on
    platters with plenty of fixin's (salsa, guacamole, onions, peppers,
    etc) for folks to cook their own.

    Iv'e had good succes keeping a BIG pot of Chili on the grill (with
    beans) cut the price... yes, I know.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what would be involved in preparing
pasta to serve 200? :^)

-Jack

    A nervous breakdown?  8-}
    
    
    I cooked all of a 2 pound package once for 5 people and it turned
    out to be enough for about 10 people - even with only french bread
    to go with it.
    
    \Caroline

    Re Pasta for a large crowd:
    
    A few years back our rescue squad put on a spaghetti dinner to raise
    money for an ambulance. We had a local restaurant pre-cook 2-3
    monster kettles of spaghetti and we gave it something like 30
    seconds in boiling water just prior to serving. Couldn't tell that
    it had been precooked. An old restaurant trick, I am told.
    
    Bill
    

	I have a similar request.  In a couple of weeks I'll 
	be making box lunches for 50 people and I need some
	guesstimates for the sandwiches.

	The "eaters" have requested coldcuts and cheese, no
	tuna/chicken/ham salad stuff (too soggy).  How much
	deli meat and cheese do you think I'll need?

	Conni

    I would think 2-3 slices of meat and 1-2 slices of cheese per sandwich
    would be enough. You could always go to a deli and tell them you wanted
    X number of slices of each and they'd do it.
    
    Don't know cost, tho...
    
    beth

    
    Welll...  The menu looks to be (each of the following will be in 
    one of those large throw away square tins ... like you a cook a 
    turkey in)
    
    Baked Macaroni and Cheese with peppers,onion,tomatoes, ham and bacon
    American Chop Suey 
    Canned ham sliced, with a sweet and sour sauce, cherry's and oranges
    White rice (to put the above on)
    Homefries
    Sweedish Meatballs
    Chili
    Chicken wings
    Fruit Salad
    Vegetable Medley
    Potato Salad
    Macaroni Salad
    Green Salad
    Baked Beans
    Italian Bread plain & garlic (using grill to toast)
    Syrian bread
    
    That's it sooooo far...
    
    Thanx everyone for your ideas and recipes!
    

When's dinner?  ;^)

    
    Sounds great - good luck, you're very brave!
    
    bonnie

    
    
    
    	Better late than never, but for Future Reference:
    
    
    	Any decent(or small) sized Church has at one time or another
    produced a Cook Book of recipies from the congregation.  If is 
    from a larger church, there will Probably be in it a whole section of 
    recipies for things like 'Scalloped Potatoes for 40', 'Swedish Meatballs 
    for 50' ect...  These recipies have all been proven at Pot-Luck
    dinners, ect... and are close to foolproof.
    
    	Getting your hands on one of these church cook books will give you
    lots of different ideas.
    
    	Chuck
    

    	Found an answer to my question about making sandwiches.
        I talked to a local chef and he suggested two and a half
    	to three ounces of filling per sandwich.  
    
    	Conni
    

    This may be too late for the base note but perhaps it would give
    someone else an idea in the future.  Not only is it easy to make but it
    can be served hot or cold.

    8 boneless chicken breasts
    2 eggs
    1/4 cup milk
    1 cup fine bread crumbs
    1/2-3/4 cup parmesan cheese
    1 1/2 tbsp oregano
    salt & pepper

    Mix eggs and milk together in a small flat bowl.  In another small flat
    bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, oregano, salt and pepper.

    Cut the chicken breasts in half.  Dip them in the egg/milk mix and then
    into the bread crumb mix.  Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for
    about 30 minutes @350.  

I've got 20 people coming over to my house for a baptism next weekend.
I'm trying to determine how much food I will need for this.  There are
only three kids so I'm trying to arrange a menu that they will like and
be easy on me.  My menu is as follows:

Smoked Turkey Breast
Sausages
Hotdogs

Corn on the Cob
Penne Macaroni Salad
Baked Beans

Course we'll have crackers and cheese and pretzel type stuff for appetizers
I'm wondering how of these items I will need.  Will a 10lb Turkey breast
and 3lbs of the sausage and dogs be enough?  What about the Macaroni Salad
and baked beans?  I figured 20 ears of corn and a cake to serve 15 is ok.

Advise is welcome, thanks..

cj
                                                                         

    How much does you family eat?
    
     A couple of pounds of small hotdogs will entice the kids, but some
    parents may also go for them.  
    
    You have a good  amount of smoked turnkey but need more of the sausage
    IMO.  Stretch with a couple of dip bread bowls of varying kinds.  20
    ears is ok, but break them in half,  for those who aren't as corny, or
    the kids.  it will also help the corn stretch further.  (My family will
    founder on sweet corn, so I figur 2+ ears per person and only serve it
    when its cheap or the garden is in peak production)  
    
    Cheese and bread and crakers should help round thins out.
    
    meg

>             <<< Note 3546.22 by CSC32::M_EVANS "be the village" >>>
    
>    You have a good  amount of smoked turnkey but need more of the sausage

	If there's going to be smoked turnkey, maybe there should be
	some lox, too.

    ;-)
    
    didn't you know dyslexia and freudian slips are my middle names;-)
    
    there are a lot of us so we are now untied
    
    meg
    
    

    I have 3lbs of the sausage AND 3lbs of the Hot Dogs.
    
    What about salads?  Is two 16oz packages of beans enough with 3lbs of
    Macaroni Salad?  (My MIL is bringing some German Potato Salad but I
    don't think it will be too much.)  Good idea about breaking the ears of
    corn in half.  Thanks!  
    
    cj (who really hopes for good weather on Sunday but its not looking
    good!)

    Sounds good to me.
    
    You could also add a 2 or three lb package of frozen peas and some
    american cheese, celery, and mayo (a little onion) and have some iowa
    pea salad waiting in the wings if you wanted.  It takes only minutes to
    make up if you look like you are running low on other stuff.
    
    You can keep the bean salad IMO, but it just isn't one of my favorites.
    
    ;-)
    
    meg