Entertaining for a Crowd--Favorite Recipes?

[Haven]

We''re having over 50 people over for a backyard party on Saturday.

What would you serve?

 

[misskitty]

I have an awesome pasta salad recipe that can be doubled/tripled/etc very easily and has gotten many compliments recently:

(the quantities in this recipe yield servings for 6-8 as a side dish)

8 oz rotini (1/2 box)
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
1/2 cup diced ham
1/2 cup diced fresh tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
4 oz provolone cheese
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp fresh ground pepper
1 tsp crushed red pepper


Start a pot of water boiling, and add in a pinch of salt and a few drops of oil. When the water reaches a rolling boil, add in the rotini and cook for 10 minutes (or as directed on the package).

While the pasta is cooking, start chopping up the red pepper, tomato, ham, and basil. If your provolone isn’t shredded (I bought the sliced kind), chop it up into small pieces — if you can, try to make the pieces the same size as the tomato/pepper/ham for consistency.

Drain the cooked pasta, and toss it with olive oil and red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Cool the pasta for a few minutes while you finish chopping everything. Mix in the spices, ham, cheese, and veggies, and toss until everything is evenly distributed. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate until ready to serve.


Also, the ingredient list has measurements in it, but that's because I was writing the recipe down for someone else. I usually just eyeball it, so don't worry about sticking to it exactly. The recipe is really just a guideline.

Also, feel free to add in olives if you're a fan. I'm not, so I left them out, but they go well with the other ingredients and seem to be a staple of vinaigrette-based pasta salads.

 

[misskitty]

If you have time to do some prep work the night before/morning of and don''t mind running into the kitchen to broil for a few minutes, bacon-wrapped treats are also a huge hit. We hosted a backyard party last year and did trays of bacon-wrapped scallops (seasoned with just salt and pepper and a little olive oil on the scallops, toothpicked and put on a baking sheet and set in the broiler for 5-6 minutes) and bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese and almonds (sweet + savory and the tray was empty in under two minutes).

 

[Haven]

Thanks, MissKitty! I''m looking for delicious sides, and that pasta salad certainly looks like it fits the bill!

And you''re so right, who doesn''t love things wrapped in bacon?

 

[monarch64]

Jello shots make a pretty good side dish, imo.

 

[misskitty]

You''re welcome! Hope the party goes well

 

[tlh]

Arugala and Strawberry Salad
Makes 4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

1/2 cup chopped walnuts
4 cups baby arugula or torn arugula leaves
2 cups sliced strawberries (about 10 ounces)
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved and crumbled into small pieces (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar (see Ingredient note)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1. Toast walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a salad bowl; let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Add arugula, strawberries, Parmesan, pepper and salt. Sprinkle vinegar and oil over the salad; toss gently and serve at once.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 204 calories; 16 g fat (3 g sat, 5 g mono); 7 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrate; 7 g protein; 3 g fiber; 251 mg sodium; 262 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value), Calcium (20% dv).
1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 2 1/2 fat

TIP: Ingredient Note: Aged balsamic vinegar (12 years or older) is a treat, but not an economical one. If you don’t want to spring for a $40 bottle, use regular balsamic. Alternatively, bring 1/2 cup regular balsamic vinegar to a boil over high heat in a small skillet. Cook until the vinegar begins to thicken and become syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes.

This is really yummy, you could easily make it for more people - just by increasing the portions... or adding more lettuce. It is DELICIOUS, and very summery!



---------------------------------
Also, the world''s easiest dip -
1 jar pace salsa
1 can corn
2 cans black beans

Dump into a microwave safe container... heat for a minute or two... just to make it warm.. and let sit to room temp. Serve w/ tostitos scoops... it is delicious... and EASY to prep! Always a hit!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/1/2009 2:17:09 PM
Author: monarch64
Jello shots make a pretty good side dish, imo.

I know what Jello is but what are Jello shots please Miss?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/1/2009 3:44:42 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/1/2009 2:17:09 PM

Author: monarch64

Jello shots make a pretty good side dish, imo.

I know what Jello is but what are Jello shots please Miss?

Lol-not a side dish at all. Just jello made with alcohol instead of water and served in shotglasses!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

mmm jello shots. I''d use dixie cups instead of shot glasses. They''re easier to "shoot" that way.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 7/1/2009 3:44:42 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/1/2009 2:17:09 PM
Author: monarch64
Jello shots make a pretty good side dish, imo.

I know what Jello is but what are Jello shots please Miss?

ROFL. You SOOOOOO need to come to my house, Lorelei.

Jello shots are merely a very quick way to ingest a lot of alcohol, plus they taste pretty good. I don''t eat them anymore because of what the gelatin is made with, BUT I''ve served them at summer parties in the past and they are a crowd pleaser. Hee hee.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 7/1/2009 3:54:19 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
mmm jello shots. I''d use dixie cups instead of shot glasses. They''re easier to ''shoot'' that way.

Dixie cups, or we used to get the plastic shooters with lids from restaurant supply stores. Way easier to make ahead and store and serve with lids--you can stack ''em!

 

[Po10472]

Indonesian Lambok Chicken with Coconut Milk (serves 4)

chicken breasts 4
red pepper 1
red chillies 2
fresh ginger 1 inch fresh piece
raw cashew nuts 32
onion 1 medium
garlic 3 cloves
cumin powder 2 teaspoons
cloves 2
Cinnamon powder or crushed cinnamon 1 teaspoon or 1 inch stick
coconut milk 14oz can

Finely chop the pepper, chillies, ginger, onion and garlic. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add in the pepper, chillies, ginger, onion, garlic, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and cashew nuts. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and stir. Empty into a food processor and blend. Pour back into the pan. Dice the chicken. Add the chicken to the pan. Bring to the boil. Then simmer for 15 minutes.

Lemongrass-Scented Rice

Basmati rice 225g / 8oz
Small onion 1
Chicken stock 450ml / 1pt
lemongrass 1 stick
butter 45g / 1.5oz
Dice the onion and slice the lemongrass. Saute the onions in the butter. Stir in the rice and lemongrass. Add the stock. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 deg C

Really easy to make and you could serve it up in small dishes with a wee fork. Very, very tasty.

 

[April20]

We''d pull the smoker out of the barn and throw 4 or 5 boston butts on it. And then make about 5 gallons of hunch punch. Drink the hunch punch while we pull the pork. Then get someone to bring some potato salad, thow some chips out and call it a day.

The scaled back version of this is to spice up the boston butts with fresh herbs (garlic, oregano, rosemary, whatever) and slow cook them in the oven. Shread it once done and serve in tacos. Really, really yummy and pretty easy. It''s easy to feed a lot of people this way and it''s relativiely economical.

 

[rainwood]

Date: 7/1/2009 5:23:45 PM
Author: April20
We''d pull the smoker out of the barn and throw 4 or 5 boston butts on it. And then make about 5 gallons of hunch punch. Drink the hunch punch while we pull the pork. Then get someone to bring some potato salad, thow some chips out and call it a day.

The scaled back version of this is to spice up the boston butts with fresh herbs (garlic, oregano, rosemary, whatever) and slow cook them in the oven. Shread it once done and serve in tacos. Really, really yummy and pretty easy. It''s easy to feed a lot of people this way and it''s relativiely economical.

Can I come eat at your house? That sounds fabulous. I don''t know what hunch punch is, but I get a feeling I''d be downing it like water.

 

[icekid]

I would make cupcakes

And I always like to make a salad with romaine, feta cheese, walnuts, cucumbers and a nice light vinaigrette.

 

[bebe]

this weekend I''m doing hot dogs, of course.
but also doing wraps with a large choice of fillings
also grilling some veggies and chicken for those wraps. (grilled pineapple, yum)
already have alcoholic popsicles made and made ice cream
sandwiches last night.
we will have watermelon balls mixed with other fruits
chips, and whatever everyone else brings

 

[packrat]

When we have parties here, we do hotdogs/hamburgers, deviled eggs, and then everyone else brings something too. This last time we also made a strawberry cake that I looove. We usually end up w/a crazy variety of stuff. Our guests this year brought peanut butter cheesecake, pasta salad, coffee cake bars, snickers salad, chicken tortellini soup, chips and dip and baked beans.

 

[DianaBanana]

Jerk chicken with mango salsa is really easy and it''s what I prefer to cook when there''s a mess a people around....serve with jasmine rice and some different salads and you''ve got an easy meal.

The easy part comes in the form of Baron Jerk Seasoning....this is great stuff, if there''s a cook/culinary store around, I bet they''ll have this. Throw a cup or two into a big vat of chicken pieces the day before and then throw it on the grill.

I like to use mango salsa in a jar and then add fresh cilantro, red onion and chopped pineapple...people will think you''re a culinary superstar.

Yum...that''s what I''m making tonight.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Well, Saturday is the 4th...so I''d have...

Hot chili pie
Pulled pork
Hot Dogs
Burgers
Cool whip and berry cake
Campfire sticks

Campfire Sticks
These are usually a huge hit, and easy to make.

Several bags of jumbo marshmellows
Bricks of Herseys milk chocolate
Crushed gramcrackers
Skewers

1. Stick three jumbo marshmellows per skewer--set aside
2. Melt chocolate over a low flame on the stove top
3. Dip marshmellow in chocolate
4. Roll in crumbs
5. Set aside and allow to dry

 

[LAJennifer]

This thread had some really great recipes:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/shoot-me-your-best-appetizer-recipe.103353/

Like this one (I make this one all the time - it is crazy good):

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Either 1 large can of Swanson chicken or shredded chicken
1 8 oz bar of cream cheese
1/2 C. Bleu Cheese dressing
1/2 C. Frank''s Red Hot Sauce
1/2 C. crumbled Bleu Cheese

Mix all together, bake in a pan for 20 min at 350 & serve with chips or crackers.

 

[Linda W]

Date: 7/1/2009 5:23:45 PM
Author: April20
We''d pull the smoker out of the barn and throw 4 or 5 boston butts on it. And then make about 5 gallons of hunch punch. Drink the hunch punch while we pull the pork. Then get someone to bring some potato salad, thow some chips out and call it a day.

The scaled back version of this is to spice up the boston butts with fresh herbs (garlic, oregano, rosemary, whatever) and slow cook them in the oven. Shread it once done and serve in tacos. Really, really yummy and pretty easy. It''s easy to feed a lot of people this way and it''s relativiely economical.

This sounds delicious

 

[whitby_2773]

this is my party staple

Marinated Chicken Wings

prep time 10 mins
makes 48 pieces

24 chicken wings
2/3 cup red wine
2/3 cup tomato sauce
2/3 cup orange juice
2 heaped teaspoons minced garlic (bottled is fine)
1 1/4 cup soft dark brown sugar
3 teaspoons sesame oil
1/3 cup soy sauce

break/chop wings in half and arrange wings snugly in a baking tray
mix all remaining ingredients in a bowl
pour over wings so the marinade comes at least half way up the wings
bake at 375deg till wings are golden and cooked (about 1.25 hours depending on your oven) removing from oven at least once during cooking to turn wings.
allow to cool and serve at room temperature.

these can be made ahead of time (like - the day before) and are utterly delicious.

if you want a *really* easy sauce to serve with them - when the wings are cooked, pour off the marinade into a bowl. when it's room temp and starting to thicken, but not chilled, stir through a tub of sour cream and chill till it sets, stirring from time to time till combined.

i normally serve this with....

Asian Coleslaw

prep time 15 mins
serves 6

1/2 asian cabbage
2 medium carrots, julienned
1 lge red onion cut into thin full length wedges
one red sweet pepper, sliced into thin, full length strips
1/2 tub of snow pea sprouts, if available
1 lge bunch asparagus - halved to use just the tips, then tips halved lengthwise
2 small tins water chestnuts, sliced
1/3 cup pignoli (pine) nuts roasted at 400deg for 5 mins
1/4 cup walnut oil
1/4 cup sweet thai chili sauce

prep and combine all vegetables
add baked nuts
combine oil and sweet chili sauce, beating thoroughly till they blend
pour sauce over vegetables and toss thoroughly

this goes with....

Potato Salad

prep time 15 mins
serves 8-10

chop 6 large potatoes into bite-sized chunks and place in boiling water for 5-7 mins, till cooked but still firm
remove and cool under running water
boil 8 eggs till cooked, then cool
split egges and remove yolks. chop whites roughly and add to potato
mash yolks into 1 cup of mayonnaise (i use Helman's Real) till all lumps are removed
combine mayo mixture with 1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
very finely dice 1.5 large white onions or 1 very large white onion and add to potato and chopped egg whites
finely chop fresh mint to give you one cup and add to potato, whites and onion.
add egg/mayo/sour cream mixture and mix thoroughly but gently so as not to break the egg whites any further.
serve with more fresh mint sprinkled over the top


serve the chicken wings and the cole slaw with potato salad and burgers cooked on the grill. have hamburger buns ready with sliced salad accompaniments so people can throw together their own burger when the patties are cooked. the burgers, wings, buns and salads look great set out on a table for people to then help themselves. easy party menu which, in my experience, pleases everyone. as well as your meat hamburger patties, i keep a few vege burgers on hand as well, as the cole slaw, potato salad, and vege burgers make a good party combo for vegetarians also. this is a very low prep meal which serves a crowd and is a real crowd-pleaser.

good luck!

 

[Lynnie]

mmmm these threads always make me hungry!

I went to a bbq recently and the hostess had these AMAZING bacon wrapped dates. You make them by inserting an almond into a date, wrapping the date in bacon and then cook in the oven till the bacon''s done. The date is nice and gooey and delicious, and I never woulda thought of such a combo.

ETA I just saw Miss Kitty posted the same date recipe. It really is to die for!!!

DH likes to make what he calls "Man Dip"... super easy. Cook up a pound or so of ground beef, drain the fat. Add a brick of cream cheese and a jar of your favorite salsa, and cook till blended. Serve with tortilla chips.

I''ve always liked fresh cole slaw, too. You can always tell when a cole slaw is fresh vs. store bought. There are a ton of recipes online, I tend to want to try a new one each time I make it.

 

[April20]

Date: 7/1/2009 6:19:42 PM
Author: rainwood

Date: 7/1/2009 5:23:45 PM
Author: April20
We''d pull the smoker out of the barn and throw 4 or 5 boston butts on it. And then make about 5 gallons of hunch punch. Drink the hunch punch while we pull the pork. Then get someone to bring some potato salad, thow some chips out and call it a day.

The scaled back version of this is to spice up the boston butts with fresh herbs (garlic, oregano, rosemary, whatever) and slow cook them in the oven. Shread it once done and serve in tacos. Really, really yummy and pretty easy. It''s easy to feed a lot of people this way and it''s relativiely economical.

Can I come eat at your house? That sounds fabulous. I don''t know what hunch punch is, but I get a feeling I''d be downing it like water.

Hunch Punch involved a whole lot of Hawaiian punch and vodka. You mix it together and then throw in a bunch of cut fruit to soak in it. If you''re really in the boonies (or in college), you trade the vodka for PGA, but I recommend you stick with the vodka. The headache from PGA is only tolerable if you''re under 25.