mom31257 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Our library is having an evening storytime for needy families. They are serving dinner as well. We are considering providing the meal one night. The group has had Subway, chicken & rice, spaghetti, and lasagna. They have take home plates for families who arrive late, and those won't accommodate any soup or chili. I would love to hear any ideas you have because I've never fed a group that large. There is one family who is vegetarian, but the library can provide them a meal of their own. That's the only restriction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 I've made be chicken enchilada casseroles to feed large groups, I'm sure there are recipes online; the version I made had lots of sour cream and was not very spicy at all. Pairs well with salad. Another option would be baked ham, potato and cheese casserole, and a salad. This sounds like a really neat program. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 How about baked ziti, meatballs, salad and rolls. It does sound like an awesome program! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 How about baked ziti, meatballs, salad and rolls. It does sound like an awesome program! I just went to a fundraiser for a theater camp for low income children and this was exactly what they served! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Pulled pork sandwiches from a Nesco-type roaster. People could add BBQ sauce afterward to their taste. Add a few sides. I went to a Chamber of Commerce event, and the meal was pulled pork sliders and fruit. Erica in OR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Taco bar - tortillas & tortilla chips with ground beef, beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, salsa, etc. You could offer lots of variety. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 This may be somewhat regional, but this is a common meal for larger groups in my area. We do BBQ sandwiches and sides. I precook chicken and pork in my crockpot or Insta-Pot and shred it for sandwiches. Then I make a bunch of coleslaw and potato salad. I either buy cookies or make several sheet cakes. Then from the store I get buns, beans, several kinds of sauce, and chips. I've even been to several weddings with this menu where the friends provided all of the food! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 pulled pork, slaw and another side? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 How about baked ziti, meatballs, salad and rolls. It does sound like an awesome program! They've had lasagna and spaghetti, so that is basically the same thing, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 In addition to what's been mentioned, I've done chicken salad for a large group (we host around 40 twice a month for lunch). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 They've had lasagna and spaghetti, so that is basically the same thing, right? Yes similar I guess but I wouldn't think of it as the same thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Wraps and a side salad with fruit for dessert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 I am with Heigh Ho. Wraps are great because you can simply put all the fillings out making sure there are a lot of veggie options plus several dressings. This makes it easy for the vegetarian family, and as a general rule, it isn't too messy. Then put out some fruit, whatever is in season. One really yummy filling is a blend of cream cheese and ranch dressing with chopped green olives in it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom@shiloh Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 I would go with a taco or burrito bar, but soup with bread is a great way to serve lots of people also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Baked potatoes with chili as a topping. You could do a vegetarian chili or pull out a family's worth and add ground beef to the rest. Costco has huge bags of fresh broccoli that steams up really well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 I caution the soup scenario with children and lots of books around. You need to have something that is not a mess maker when spilled or too hot when it sloshes on junior. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meena Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Burrito bowls--basically you make items you would put inside a burrito (meat, rice, beans) and serve in a bowl with toppings like lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and/or salsa, etc. You could do slow cooked chicken and/or pork since those are more economical, as well as roasted or grilled veggies. If you go with pork, this recipe for Slow Cooker Carnitas https://www.budgetbytes.com/2017/03/slow-cooker-carnitas/ looks amazing. Chicken pot pie casserole--my favorite recipe for this is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/chicken-pot-pie-crumble/ Instead of having crusts, it has a biscuit-like topping. You could probably make a veggie version fairly easily if you wanted to (substitute mushrooms for chicken, use vegetable broth in place of chicken). I would serve this casserole with green salad and fresh fruit. Ground meat stir-fry--I've made this recipe from Budget Bytes quite a few times and it's so good: https://www.budgetbytes.com/2016/08/beef-cabbage-stir-fry/ I've adapted it quite a bit. I use ground turkey instead of beef (usually turkey is a better price plus I think it has a lighter flavor which works well in this dish), use packaged broccoli slaw instead of the cabbage and carrots, double or triple the stir fry sauce, and use less Sriracha than it calls for for a milder flavor. I serve this with edamame, white rice, and orange slices. I'm not sure how this would do as a make-ahead but it does seem to hold well, so I think you'd be okay to make it slightly ahead of time (like the afternoon of the day you're serving it) and once done hold it in a slow cooker on low until time to serve. If doing it this way, you might cook the veggies and meat separately, put just the meat in the slow cooker on low, add most of the veggies closer to serving time holding some back for the vegetarian family. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Pulled pork with nice buns, and baked beans would be fairly kid friendly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leav97 Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Taco's - crockpots of taco meat and black beans for the veggies. shredded cheese and lettuce, salsa, onions, tomatoes, sour cream, shells, ... Side of Chipotle style rice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 What about a chicken and rice casserole? You could make a lot of rice for not much money, and it should appeal to both adults and children. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 There's a SC dish called Chicken Bog....it's chicken and rice and feeds a ton. http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2015/10/08/the-best-dish-youve-never-had-chicken-bog/ A similar dish that is really easy to make is arroz con pollo. I follow this recipe, but use the yellow rice packets you can get at the store in place of the rice and saffron. You could do BBQ chicken or beef sliders, too. Add fruit salad, green salad, and maybe baked beans. For dessert, I'd do a Texas Sheet Cake or just buy a Costco cake. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Breakfast for dinner can work well. That was the biggest hit when we cooked for a similarly sized group of homeless teens. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Also, pizza from Costco with salad and fruit is a good one. And popular with the kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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