klmama Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I got the job of planning food for an all-day event in a park. There are no grills or refrigeration, but we will have electricity for Nescos and lots of coolers for beverages. Besides the obvious chips, salsa, cut veggies, and sloppy Joes, what meal food that most people like would you prepare in advance for about 100 people that won't require refrigeration or much effort once the event is under way? There are a lot of people in the group that need to avoid various allergens, so I'd like to have a variety. Some gluten-free, some dairy-free, everything nut-free. If everything were free of all those, even better, but I'm not getting my hopes up. We have Costco, if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Baked beans with allergen and gluten free sausages in it? Make the beans using scratch ingredients so that you can avoid allergens, and then cut the sausages into chunks and add them in. Our family's favorite baked beans uses navy beans, canned and diced tomatoes, brown sugar, molasses, onions and salt and pepper. Bake low and slow with your choice of sausage- or in your case, mix it all together in a Nesco and let it do it's thing for several hours, stirring once or twice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I would do a variety of cold salads that would keep well on ice, along with the above mentioned beans. ( I have a fantastic recipe using canned beans, hamburger, bacon etc.) Coleslaw Fruit salad Pasta salad with an Italian dressing not mayo based Deviled eggs Lettuce salad with dressing on the side I have done a turkey in a nesco roaster many times in the summer. It's easy if you have someplace to carve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksr5377 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I would probably have some shredded meat to make sandwiches with, or to put on salad. You could do chicken, BBQ pork or beef etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 I would do a variety of cold salads that would keep well on ice How would this work? Double bowls, with ice in the bottom one? Or do you just mean keeping them in coolers on ice until time to serve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Taco in a bag - no plates needed - easy & portable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displace Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Sandwiches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Besides the obvious chips, salsa, cut veggies, and sloppy Joes, what meal food that most people like . . . I got a little chuckle over "the obvious sloppy joes" as I would not have thought of those at all. I think sandwiches would be more obvious? Or taco bowls? Are you having to feed these people 2 meals--lunch and dinner? I wasn't sure when you said all day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 How would this work? Double bowls, with ice in the bottom one? Or do you just mean keeping them in coolers on ice until time to serve? In ice chests until ready to serve. If serving time is going to be over an extended period of time, the easiest way is fill a small child's pool with ice and out bowls,in there. McDonald's will fill ice chests for free. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 If you have electricity, can you use crockpots? (I have no idea what a Nesco is). If so, you could cook hotdogs in them. We did something like this all summer long at our tournaments. Fruit, veggies, sandwiches, snacks, etc.... Put it out for a bit when people are eating, otherwise, keep the stuff that needs to stay cold in a cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Some big spiral cut hams for making sandwiches and lots of sides, baked beans, pasta salad w/ an Italian dressing vs mayo) green salad, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 If you have electricity, can you use crockpots? (I have no idea what a Nesco is). What she said. :confused1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-4818-14-18-Quart-Porcelain-Cookwell/dp/B003AB9CSC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1427394435&sr=8-5&keywords=nesco Nesco roasters are really versatile. You can roast meat (lots of folks around here use them to cook the Thanksgiving turkey, freeing the main oven for other dishes), cook and keep chili hot, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 The reason I wasn't thinking of sandwiches was because of the issue of keeping the meat cool while not making the bread stiff if we made them in advance. I guess we could make them as we eat them. I was trying to think of ways to make this simpler, and having to have sliced meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion prepared for that many, plus mayo, mustard, etc., made it seem like more work than making a big pot of something. The sloppy Joes are obvious to me because MIL always serves them to a crowd. Always. Only she calls it BBQ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 The sloppy Joes are obvious to me because MIL always serves them to a crowd. Always. Only she calls it BBQ. At our church it's usually chili. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmMusa Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I hope this doesn't sound insensitive, but what nationality/type of food would be expected? Some people rarely eat stuff like black beans and tacos while others would find it totally normal. If you can bring crockpots then you could put boneless chicken and do a shredded bbq chicken lunch. Have dairy free bread, gluten free bread, and regular bread. Chips. Cut veggies. Bagged cole slaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 One idea for keeping things chilled while serving: A plastic kiddie pool with ice in the bottom. Put all the bowls of foods that need to be chilled in the ice. It does a great job of keeping things cool, holds a ton of stuff, and looks festive. Food ideas: Texas sheet cake (dessert is important); hot dogs, wings and meatballs in Nescos; salads -- lots of them, not Jello; stuff for sandwiches; and maybe corn on the cob in Nescos as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 One idea for keeping things chilled while serving: A plastic kiddie pool with ice in the bottom. Put all the bowls of foods that need to be chilled in the ice. It does a great job of keeping things cool, holds a ton of stuff, and looks festive. Food ideas: Texas sheet cake (dessert is important); hot dogs, wings and meatballs in Nescos; salads -- lots of them, not Jello; stuff for sandwiches; and maybe corn on the cob in Nescos as well. Do you actually put the kiddie pool on a table with all the salads in it? Maybe our kiddie pool is larger than usual.... What is Texas sheet cake? Is that different than a normal sheet cake? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-4818-14-18-Quart-Porcelain-Cookwell/dp/B003AB9CSC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1427394435&sr=8-5&keywords=nesco Nesco roasters are really versatile. You can roast meat (lots of folks around here use them to cook the Thanksgiving turkey, freeing the main oven for other dishes), cook and keep chili hot, etc. Oh, it's a *roaster oven*! I have one of those, but it isn't a "Nesco." :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 What is Texas sheet cake? Is that different than a normal sheet cake? I'd like to know that, as well. I live in Texas and have never heard of a Texas sheet cake, lol. Maybe it's just an extra big one?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Do you actually put the kiddie pool on a table with all the salads in it? Maybe our kiddie pool is larger than usual.... What is Texas sheet cake? Is that different than a normal sheet cake? Yes, right on the table, but I would find an appropriately sized one. Texas sheet cake is a thin cake (usually chocolate with a thin chocolate frosting) baked and served in a jelly roll pan. There are tons of recipes out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Do you actually put the kiddie pool on a table with all the salads in it? Maybe our kiddie pool is larger than usual.... What is Texas sheet cake? Is that different than a normal sheet cake? The kiddie pool does get put on picnic tables. This is pretty much the pool we have: LINK. We actually put two of these pools on a heavy, wooden picnic table and have no problems with it. A Texas sheet cake is just a recipe of my mother's that is delicious. Here's a super similar recipe, which is well-reviewed: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/ (for your purposes, I'd not include the nuts, but they are a lovely addition for the non-allergic crew). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I'd like to know that, as well. I live in Texas and have never heard of a Texas sheet cake, lol. Maybe it's just an extra big one?? Ellie, For fun, here is more than you ever wanted to think about Texas sheet cakes: http://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2013/04/the-great-sheet-cake-mystery/ :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Bake lots of small potatoes, like new potatoes, with some oil, salt, and pepper. You can have toppings or not. Large platters of rice. Bake directly in the oven in those big aluminum pans. Also in aluminum pans, add some onions and veggies, top with eggs, and bake. Basically baked omelettes. Avoid cheese if needed, or add if desired. Baguette slices. Marinated mushrooms. Pickles. Roasted veggies. Roast in large aluminum pans. Squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Blocks of cheese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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