Party for 50 ppl--help!

[Jas12]

Next weekend my SIL and I are hosting a surprise 50th b-day party for my MIL. We have to accomodate at least 50 guests for dinner (this is my SILs must-do idea and she has ''nothing'' planned)! It is at my MIL''s house which is massive so space is not an issue--but food is. I am an avid cook and love to entertain--but i do small groups so I can go all-out Martha Stewart on the meal/decor etc. so the prospect of popping frozen lasagna into the oven kinda gives me hostess anxiety. Problem is, other than hire a caterer how the heck can we pull off serving a half decent meal to so many ppl with one oven/fridge/dishwasher etc.

Any brilliant suggestions out there? Recipes to feed a crowd etc>

Help

 

[Rosebud8506]

can you ask the guests to each bring a dish?

I think the idea of a lasagna is a great idea. Any type of casserole is always a good plan.

 

[CrownJewel]

Maybe start with cut veggies and mini mini sandwiches as the guests are arriving? That way you don''t have to worry about keeping the starters hot for everyone as they arrive at different times. Also put out some mini hors d''oeuvres that you can just pop in the oven quickly. There was an article somewhere that I read recently about the best store bought hors d''oeuvres (I''ll try to dig it up for you).

It''s easy to make a few giant bowls of salad. Maybe make two or three different salads. One with cut pears, goat cheese, walnuts, caramalized red onion, lettuce, another sort of like a Greek salad (romaine lettuce, chopped red onions, black olives, cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese), one skirt steak salad. All very easy to make ahead of time and won''t really require the oven.

Maybe you can also do a breads and dips "station" with bowls of different kinds of really great breads (cut up into squares), and a display of different olive oils, spreads, dips, etc.

And then for the main course, I think making a lasagna or casserole type dish would be good because you can probably fit two pans in the oven at the same time. Also soup or a nice stew would be easy to make in mass quantities. Or skewers of steak or chicken with veggies?

And by creating these salad, bread, hors d''oeuvres stations, you can still channel your inner Martha by fancying up the bowls and tablecloths.

 

[Jas12]

okay--so maybe the lasagna isn''t soooo bad

Salads are def. a good idea C.J--i''ll make a few different ones

Rosebud--I suggested a potluck but SIL is not really for it since some ppl will be driving from out of town that day and since we just had a similar party for her dad in the summer that was not potluck, she thinks therefore this one can''t be ?! (i tried to no avail to point out to her that her dad''s party was in the summer and we had 3 BBQ''s going and her mom who doesn''t work had all week at home to prep--apparently that doesn''t matter)

I am also thinking chilli with fixings ( i can borrow a few big pots and use my own recipe), bread/cheese/veggie platters a few salads/warm finger foods if possible

Is that too casual?

 

[CrownJewel]

Haha I was totally going to suggest chili, but then I was afraid you would think that''s too casual! Honestly, if I were invited to a party with 50 people, I would love to see chili. If you need a vegetarian version, I can give you a recipe that I made for a New Year''s party.

What do you think about having meats for carving? I bet having ham and a roast beef would be more than enough for 50 people.

 

[aljdewey]

Many good suggestions have been made already.

I''d echo the bread/dips station; stock it with different kinds of bread (sliced Italian/Rye and a few sweet breads like pumpkin, banana, etc.)

A few large salads is also a good idea....a pasta based salad served at room temp (I have a good recipe if you need it), perhaps a bean salad (also room temp), and perhaps one or two green salads.

Try for a few dishes that can be prepared in advance and will hold well in a crockpot - jambalaya, beef burgundy, butternut squash soup, cocktail meatballs in sweet/sour sauce, bite-sized chicken marsala, etc.

I think the lasagna is a great idea....make it the day before, and you can use your oven on the day of just to hold foods at a warm temp until serving. A spiral ham would be an awesome way to go as well; could be warmed just prior to dinner and held at temp with the lasagna.

If you don''t want to do all of it yourself, consider buying a few trays of things from a local catering supply place (instead of hiring a full-service caterer), and you can supplement through the breads/soups/salads, etc.

Also, I''d plan on a bunch of finger-style dessert foods (cookies, brownies, small bars, etc.). Those can be done well in advance, and people will save a bit of room for dessert which will lessen the burden on preparing an enormous dinner.

 

[E B]

If the party is going to have a casual feel, what about a "make your own taco" station? Strips of grilled chicken, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and a selection of soft and crunchy tacos. You really only have to prepare the meat, and the rest you can buy and easily set out in bowls and platters.

To continue with the theme, you could have a few bowls of tortilla chips with a few extra sides of salsa and guacamole, and a large, fresh garden salad with some "zesty" cheese. For a "theme" drink, you could make a big batch of easy Sangria served chilled in a large punch bowl.

Just an idea, if you're going for casual. I know I'd be a happy guest, and my husband would be beyond thrilled.

 

[cellososweet]

i''m a vegetarian, but i think the taco idea is awesome! hmmmm. . . risotto keeps well. Pasta is awesomeness! Just get two huge pots and make some sauce. Make tons of pasta. Mix it together and then all you have to do is reheat. Makes a good vege option too. . . Ikea has those food-warmer things (with the candle under the buffet tray).

I agree with salads: My favorite in goat cheese, spinach and balsamic vinegar.

gouda and crackers is always fun. brie and crackers. get some wine and you are set (if you drink) there are some pretty good pinot noirs for a reasonable amount (Kono from New Zealand can be found at trader joe''s for $13).

I think that it might be best to do a "cocktail" type party since you have little help. Go to the grocery store and in the frozen section you can find mini phyllo dough cups. Fill them with whatever you want to! (spinach and melted cheese is good for a mini-quiche type deal). you can even fill them with chocolate mousse for dessert. sky is the limit. i mentioned cheese and crackers. hmmmmm. . . . crudites and dip. . . . . stuffed mushrooms. . .some of these things really come great frozen (or so i''ve heard. i''m the queen of from-scratch cooking).

trader joes has great balsamic vinegar vegetables and easy cook frozen brown rice. makes a great side dish. you can microwave the rice too. haha. or cook it in a pot.

Stuffed shells are awesome too if you want to do an actual meal. Vegetarian friendly, but also meat-eater approved.

Good luck!

 

[door knob solitaire]

I like the baked pasta idea...in fact I would take it and make a theme out of it. Italian dishes, decor and maybe a few festive Italian music pieces playing. Red and white checkered table clothes or maybe a grape wine looking theme. Rich burgundy''s and purples and sage green. Use of grapes and vines to add interest.

The LAGONEYA (as my gmother said) is a great idea. You could have an Alfredo one and a regular one...and add a pan of baked Ziti too. If you were concerned about vegetarians...eggplant parmigiana would be great to offer.

For appetizers I would have Meataballs stabbed with picks! Cherry tomatoes...black olives and maybe some bruschetta. You know...you might be able to get by with doing all finger foods. Have you considered that?

For the salad area...A large salad bowl filled with anti pasta...(political view here...how did you vote last election? For pasta or against it?) Artichokes, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, red onion...then the regular tossed lettuces etc.

Also pans of buttered garlic breads, sticks would be great if it is going to be a buffet standing thing.

This need not be homemade...there are some great frozen pans already prepared. Call around and see what is available. If you have a lot of options...most will sample everything. With 50 plus people...a few shortcuts would be more than acceptable!!! Honest.
Get some warmer servers at your local party supply. They have a little candle or simple flame underneath. You are going to have a blast!!§