Help... feeding 15 people... this weekend!

[geeks]

I dont know what I was thinking, we agreed to host the annual family do this weekend, it means prepping some form of food for them and I am completely at a loss as to what to do...

Its not a vat of chilli type affair (my usual go to when cooking for large numbers) as, well, it just isn't.

I dont own a BBQ so that is off the cards. I could buy one but I really just wont use it, we have tried on several occasions use it once and it ends up either given away or taken to the tip. I am looking at a pellet smoker but thats a different thing and frankly I dont have time to learn to use one by the weekend.

I can cook, some would say I am quite capable! But I am stuck, just don't know what to do, weather is nice so protein and some form of buffet salad and things.

Desserts are taken care of

Thoughts?

[UTH]

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

[geeks]

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

Yeah I was thinking that too, mrs geeks has just given me a no on the pulled pork as she doesn't like pork

[simon_harris]

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

This, can go with pork or lamb slow cooked at low temp for a long time and you can't really go wrong. Pair it with Salad, cous-cous, wraps or pita breads all very low maintenance leaving you mostly free to host your guests.

[UTH]

geeks said:

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

Yeah I was thinking that too, mrs geeks has just given me a no on the pulled pork as she doesn't like pork

Why do women not like pork? Mrs UTH the same

Could swap pork for short rib? I did something like that for a birthday last year using a load of these: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-br...

[nebpor]

simon_harris said:

This, can go with pork or lamb slow cooked at low temp for a long time and you can't really go wrong. Pair it with Salad, cous-cous, wraps or pita breads all very low maintenance leaving you mostly free to host your guests.

This - lots of lamb, with lemon and oregano, low oven for 4-5 hours .... great kebabs and salad material

[geeks]

simon_harris said:

This, can go with pork or lamb slow cooked at low temp for a long time and you can't really go wrong. Pair it with Salad, cous-cous, wraps or pita breads all very low maintenance leaving you mostly free to host your guests.

Hadnt thought of lamb, not a bad shout, what sort of cut and what sort of cook do we think?

UTH said:

geeks said:

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

Yeah I was thinking that too, mrs geeks has just given me a no on the pulled pork as she doesn't like pork

Why do women not like pork? Mrs UTH the same

Could swap pork for short rib? I did something like that for a birthday last year using a load of these: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-br...

It's beyond annoying isn't it? (though I have seen her tuck into her fair share of hog roasts though, but apparently "that's different") beef ribs could be a go though.. hmmmm

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Fajitas, Slow cook a load of chicken, cook some Peppers. Onions and mushrooms, some wraps and some salad, add a few beers in and your all good.

Alternatively, a sunday roast.

[Mobile Chicane]

nebpor said:

simon_harris said:

This, can go with pork or lamb slow cooked at low temp for a long time and you can't really go wrong. Pair it with Salad, cous-cous, wraps or pita breads all very low maintenance leaving you mostly free to host your guests.

This - lots of lamb, with lemon and oregano, low oven for 4-5 hours .... great kebabs and salad material

Lamb would be my choice as well. Easy to rustle up / buy in the accompaniments.

[NorthDave]

How about a few lasagnes? Can make it all in advance and bulk out with garlic bread and salad.

Bonus points for different types - traditional, chicken and brocoli, leek and lentil.

[geeks]

Thanks folks, keep 'em coming, I have a plan vaguely forming now.

[UTH]

UTH said:

geeks said:

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

Yeah I was thinking that too, mrs geeks has just given me a no on the pulled pork as she doesn't like pork

Why do women not like pork? Mrs UTH the same

Could swap pork for short rib? I did something like that for a birthday last year using a load of these: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-br...

I think this is what I did: https://www.wellseasonedstudio.com/braised-beef-sh...

[Cockaigne]

Osso Buco use beef if you want.

[sherman]

Large lamb shoulder and/or a brisket.

Both long slow cooking.

Lamb. Studded with rosemary and garlic.

Brisket. A good red wine and shallot gravy.

Serve with brioche burger buns and accompanyments.

Corn on the cobs can be done easily enough. Use bamboo skewers for serving.

[Bill]

Lamb shoulder, pittas, couscous, salsa Verde and a bunch of salads.

Pork shoulder is bigger and ends up like a hog roast rather than a dried up chop or loin.

[simon_harris]

geeks said:

It's beyond annoying isn't it? (though I have seen her tuck into her fair share of hog roasts though, but apparently "that's different") beef ribs could be a go though.. hmmmm

For lamb I generally do leg or shoulder, you can go a few ways with it, rosemary/garlic, moroccan style, harrisa paste/chillies rather depends on your audience. My preferred method is generally VERY slow cooking, I've done 12 and 24 hours before (though tbh the 24 wasn't really worth the additional effort)

[Some Gump]

geeks said:

I dont know what I was thinking, we agreed to host the annual family do this weekend, it means prepping some form of food for them and I am completely at a loss as to what to do...

Its not a vat of chilli type affair (my usual go to when cooking for large numbers) as, well, it just isn't.

I dont own a BBQ so that is off the cards. I could buy one but I really just wont use it, we have tried on several occasions use it once and it ends up either given away or taken to the tip. I am looking at a pellet smoker but thats a different thing and frankly I dont have time to learn to use one by the weekend.

I can cook, some would say I am quite capable! But I am stuck, just don't know what to do, weather is nice so protein and some form of buffet salad and things.

Desserts are taken care of

Thoughts?

Pulled pork.
This rub is easy and lush: https://www.biggreenegg.co.uk/r/low-and-slow-pork-...

Put rub on day before. Whack it in a dish with some cider. Add BBQ sauce (IMO best from supermarket is sweet baby ray, not the red one).

Put in oven either v. early in morning, or the night before (depending on what time you have guests).

Add baps, or spuds, some home mads slaw and good rabbit bait or whatever you like and boom, 15 people fed with no need to be welded to the kitchen all day.

[UTH]

Some Gump said:

geeks said:

I dont know what I was thinking, we agreed to host the annual family do this weekend, it means prepping some form of food for them and I am completely at a loss as to what to do...

Its not a vat of chilli type affair (my usual go to when cooking for large numbers) as, well, it just isn't.

I dont own a BBQ so that is off the cards. I could buy one but I really just wont use it, we have tried on several occasions use it once and it ends up either given away or taken to the tip. I am looking at a pellet smoker but thats a different thing and frankly I dont have time to learn to use one by the weekend.

I can cook, some would say I am quite capable! But I am stuck, just don't know what to do, weather is nice so protein and some form of buffet salad and things.

Desserts are taken care of

Thoughts?

Pulled pork.
This rub is easy and lush: https://www.biggreenegg.co.uk/r/low-and-slow-pork-...

Put rub on day before. Whack it in a dish with some cider. Add BBQ sauce (IMO best from supermarket is sweet baby ray, not the red one).

Put in oven either v. early in morning, or the night before (depending on what time you have guests).

Add baps, or spuds, some home mads slaw and good rabbit bait or whatever you like and boom, 15 people fed with no need to be welded to the kitchen all day.

Sadly pulled pork was ruled out by his Mrs.

[sc0tt]

I know your wife doesn’t like pork but loads of others do.

Slow cooked pulled pork in the slow cooker. Slow cooked beef brisket in the oven.

https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pul...

Brisket I usually do in my ninja foodie and it’s ready in 55 minutes unfortunately I don’t have a recipe for that.

Tacos or torillas, salad, pico de gallo.

People have a choice, dead simple you can cook pretty much before hand.

[Tom8]

UTH said:

geeks said:

UTH said:

Big amount of pulled pork done in the oven, and all the trimmings that go with that? A few options for the pork, like tacos, sandwich rolls etc? Coleslaw, corn on the cob, huge bowl of oven fries, or even homemade fried? Mac and cheese?

Yeah I was thinking that too, mrs geeks has just given me a no on the pulled pork as she doesn't like pork

Why do women not like pork? Mrs UTH the same

Could swap pork for short rib? I did something like that for a birthday last year using a load of these: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-br...

They get fed up with the sausage innuendos and comments about their hairy crackling.