• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Cooking ideas for 20 people

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
If it's not too formal, I'd probably make a big pot of chili or two, a couple loaves of bread (frozen dough is easy, and fresh baked bread impresses the hell out of people) and buy a couple of those pre-cut vegetable trays at Costco.

Alternatively, a bunch of boneless chicken breasts - grill 'em up, slice 'em, and serve them over a bed of spinach with some feta cheese, dried cranberries, nuts, and sliced tomatoes.

And booze. Lots and lots of booze.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
And he didn't give this any thought before agreeing to host them? 😱 I'm sorry but, people who don't know how to cook and agree to these things deserve what they're about to receive. Being labeled the 'black sheep' of the family isn't fun. Especially, when all they had to do was a little planning.
Click to expand...

Eh, he has 5 days to prepare. Its not like hes catering a wedding, banquet, or some other easy job. :sneaky: Whats the worst that could happen? If he plays his cards right, he may never have to host another event ever!
 
waffleironhead said:
Eh, he has 5 days to prepare. Its not like hes catering a wedding, banquet, or some other easy job. :sneaky: Whats the worst that could happen? If he plays his cards right, he may never have to host another event ever!
Click to expand...

People who don't like cooking (or, don't know how, same thing) will put it off til the last second while bugging anyone they can find to give them 'easy' ideas til the "day that shall forever live in infamy" become part of family lore that grandchildren will tell their kids. Depending on his culture, the OP may suffer anything from being disowned, disinherited or, an example to future generations of the bad apple. But hey, no pressure. 😀
 
Worst comes to worse, go to your local supermarket, they can make you food platters, sandwiches, or enough chicken for everyone since you said you don't like to cook.
 
All of you folks talking about buying premade stuff from the grocery store need to get out of your basement once in a while. This isn't about the OP and his dislike for cooking, it's about hosting 20 of his family. Families and traditions take work period.
 
Magnus, honestly would you just shut up and leave the thread? I didn't start this thread to give you a soap box to complain or a topic to debate, add something constructive or go find something better to do with your time.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
All of you folks talking about buying premade stuff from the grocery store need to get out of your basement once in a while. This isn't about the OP and his dislike for cooking, it's about hosting 20 of his family. Families and traditions take work period.
Click to expand...

Most of the people in my family have jobs, so a strategic mix of home cooked and precooked/prepackaged/preprepared food is not only expected, but encouraged.

If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough.
 
Triumph said:
Day after thanksgiving, I have to host my extended family of about 20 people in my small townhouse. I hate cooking. Looking for suggestions for food that is easy. What would you serve?
Click to expand...

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Make your own sandwiches

A turkey dinner

Taco bar
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
All of you folks talking about buying premade stuff from the grocery store need to get out of your basement once in a while. This isn't about the OP and his dislike for cooking, it's about hosting 20 of his family. Families and traditions take work period.
Click to expand...

Umm it's obviously not a tradition by the way the OP speaks of it, also if he doesn't like to cook why should he cook?
 
Triumph said:
Day after thanksgiving, I have to host my extended family of about 20 people in my small townhouse. I hate cooking. Looking for suggestions for food that is easy. What would you serve?
Click to expand...

I'd also suggest a taco bar. Everyone can get what they want & it's zero effort since everything is available pre-made:

* Flour tortillas
* Crunchy corn taco shells
* Guacamole
* Grape tomatoes
* Shredded cheese
* Refried beans
* Sour cream

Just brown up some meat & shred some chicken, voila - food for everyone!
 
Kaido said:
I'd also suggest a taco bar. Everyone can get what they want & it's zero effort since everything is available pre-made:

* Flour tortillas
* Crunchy corn taco shells
* Guacamole
* Grape tomatoes
* Shredded cheese
* Refried beans
* Sour cream

Just brown up some meat & shred some chicken, voila - food for everyone!
Click to expand...

Grape tomatoes? Wouldn't chopped tomatoes be perfect for tacos?
 
dave_the_nerd said:
Most of the people in my family have jobs, so a strategic mix of home cooked and precooked/prepackaged/preprepared food is not only expected, but encouraged.

If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough.
Click to expand...

zerocool84 said:
Umm it's obviously not a tradition by the way the OP speaks of it, also if he doesn't like to cook why should he cook?
Click to expand...

Because gaming your way through life is a sad existence. You get what you put into it.
 
Triumph said:
Day after thanksgiving, I have to host my extended family of about 20 people in my small townhouse. I hate cooking. Looking for suggestions for food that is easy. What would you serve?
Click to expand...

I would start out with Habanero Poppers with a nice Habanero ranch dipping sauce.
Then I would go to a nice cold Tomato soup with thinly diced jalapenos
Then for the main course I would get 20 Filet Mignon and cook to order with a real nice grilled red and green bell pepper with grill Habanero and mushroom to compliment this fine gastronomical meal!!
 
dave_the_nerd said:
If it's not too formal, I'd probably make a big pot of chili or two, a couple loaves of bread (frozen dough is easy, and fresh baked bread impresses the hell out of people) and buy a couple of those pre-cut vegetable trays at Costco.

Alternatively, a bunch of boneless chicken breasts - grill 'em up, slice 'em, and serve them over a bed of spinach with some feta cheese, dried cranberries, nuts, and sliced tomatoes.

And booze. Lots and lots of booze.
Click to expand...

A second on the chili. Pick up a 5lb chub of ground beef, a couple pounds of pre-diced onions, 3 32oz cans of diced tomatoes, 3 normal cans of crushed tomatoes (or tomato paste), 3 32 oz cans of kidney beans, 3 cans of black beans, and about 4-6 cans (usually I can only find the little half height cans, if you find the full size you only need 2) of mild/medium green chile (I highly recommend Hatch New Mexican green chile.) For seasoning salt, pepper, cumin, red chili powder

For each pot brown 1/3rd of the beef with 1/3rd of the onions, add a can or 2 of green chile, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of crushed tomatoes, a can of kidney beans, and a can of black beans. Add seasonings until it tastes good.

I would do corn bread with it, you can pick up 3 boxes of cornbread mix, and cook 3 9x13 pans. Toss up a couple bags of salad mix with pre-sliced mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, and you're done.

The cornbread can be cooked in advance and refrigerated for one or two days (seal it well to keep it from drying out) and then just warmed up in a 200deg oven. I suggest cooking 2 pots of the chili in advance and putting it in disposable foil containers in the fridge. Make the 3rd pot the day of the party, then put that in a serving bowl, and dump one from the fridge into the pot to warm up. If you have a crockpot even better for keeping extra chili warm.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
Min-maxing is how most of the people I know approach life. (Specialize in a couple things, ignore other things.)

For better or for worse, most of us used free time as a dump stat.
Click to expand...

Life isn't a fricken game! How you play is the point. Nobody wins in the end. There aren't any saves and, there aren't any exploits. However, you do earn the derision, distrust and. distaste of people everywhere who seek to build a better life rather than scam one.
 
Belegost said:
A second on the chili. Pick up a 5lb chub of ground beef, a couple pounds of pre-diced onions, 3 32oz cans of diced tomatoes, 3 normal cans of crushed tomatoes (or tomato paste), 3 32 oz cans of kidney beans, 3 cans of black beans, and about 4-6 cans (usually I can only find the little half height cans, if you find the full size you only need 2) of mild/medium green chile (I highly recommend Hatch New Mexican green chile.) For seasoning salt, pepper, cumin, red chili powder
Click to expand...

Yeah, depending on the number of people, crockpot cooking can be nice - chili, BBQ chicken, taco soup, etc. I love doing the BBQ chicken, it's basically like pulled pork:

* 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 2 bottles of BBQ sauce (I do one sweet, one savory)
* Any spices you want (I just throw a whole mess of stuff in)

Cook on low for 6 hours in the slow cooker, then shred with a fork. Tastes just like pulled pork, but healthier because it's chicken (and a more consistent texture when you're using the chicken breasts). From there, you can throw them on dinner rolls, hamburger buns, soft tacos, hard tacos, on top of macaroni & cheese, anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top