Food suggestions needed for largish (fussy!) group

JodyBPM

We have people coming round on saturday, about 10 or so, and I have (well want) to cook them some food. They'll be round all day, so will have tea and cakes and nibbles for lunch no prob, but I need something for them to have in the evening that's a bit more substantial.

Problem is, 1 is a vegetarian, 1 doesn't eat cheese in any form, and 2 don't like anything spicy. What can I do for them that is one meal, or a simple alternative (don't want to spend all day in the kitchen and no time socialising!), that is cheap to make and preferably "proper" cooking.

Thinks I have done in the past include
Jacket pots with a variety of fillings (pick your own!)
Homemade pizza (top your own) with jacket & beans for the non cheese eater
Fish and chips (not at all os, all bought from iceland, menu on the wall and people chose from fish/pie/sausage/veg sausage to go with their oven chips.) This was fun as I went with it, wrapped the food in newspaper,put a menu on the wall and played at it, but its very unhealthy, and I was stuck in the kitchen for ages doing tray after tray of chips etc.

Any ideas? If it wasn't for all the fussiness, i'd do something like a huge vat of chili/curry and rice, but obviously a meat free, non spicy curry isn't going to be that tasty!

parsonswife8

JodyBPM wrote: »

We have people coming round on saturday, about 10 or so, and I have (well want) to cook them some food. They'll be round all day, so will have tea and cakes and nibbles for lunch no prob, but I need something for them to have in the evening that's a bit more substantial.

Problem is, 1 is a vegetarian, 1 doesn't eat cheese in any form, and 2 don't like anything spicy. What can I do for them that is one meal, or a simple alternative (don't want to spend all day in the kitchen and no time socialising!), that is cheap to make and preferably "proper" cooking.

Thinks I have done in the past include
Jacket pots with a variety of fillings (pick your own!)
Homemade pizza (top your own) with jacket & beans for the non cheese eater
Fish and chips (not at all os, all bought from iceland, menu on the wall and people chose from fish/pie/sausage/veg sausage to go with their oven chips.) This was fun as I went with it, wrapped the food in newspaper,put a menu on the wall and played at it, but its very unhealthy, and I was stuck in the kitchen for ages doing tray after tray of chips etc.

Any ideas? If it wasn't for all the fussiness, i'd do something like a huge vat of chili/curry and rice, but obviously a meat free, non spicy curry isn't going to be that tasty!

I would make a large lasagne beforehand ( to be reheated) and a big salad. And buy a spinach and ricotta canneloni for the vegetarian.
Do some garlic bread.

Sorted.

:rotfl:

rinabean

I eat tasty meat-free non-spicy curries all the time, if by non-spicy you mean not hot - I do agree that it would taste rather odd with no spices at all in. Just make your ordinary curry recipe with no chili in. If it doesn't taste strong enough, increase the other spices slightly to compensate. If you mean that they prefer blander food, perhaps something like a big pot of vegetable soup and some nice bread would do? I don't envy you, I hate cooking separate things and it's hard to find things that suit a big group with different preferences.

Pink.

Hi Jody,

I would do a mushroom stroganoff:

Fry onion in a little oil and butter then add the mushrooms. When they are just about cooked stir in some crushed garlic and some dijonaise mustard. Then add a stock cube (I use beef but you could use a vegetable one) and a good glug of white wine. Simmer until the liquid reduces and begins to thicken, then remove from the heat and slowly add double cream (I prefer double cream but natural yoghurt, creme fraiche or soured cream are fine too).

Other things I can think of would be a vegetarian risotto (perhaps with grated parmesan served on the side) or a hearty soup (such as minestrone) served with warm crusty bread.

Pink

Julie67

What about a big veg rissotto with garlic bread or a vegie pot pie with a crust

[Deleted User]

Sausage, mash and veg. Veggie sausages are easy to buy and could be cooked alonside the ordinary sausages. My vegetarian family generally like the Quorn sausages.

poppy-glos

cooking bacon (1.13 for 500g pack in mr m), but packs the last few weeks have been 800g - 1000g when i've bought them, baked up in a block like a roast, served with homemade parsley sauce (delias is lemon juice, parsley and bechmel sauce) and mash, with veggie sausages with parsley sauce for the non meat eater.

pud of fruit and choc fondue (equal quantities of double cream and chocolate... melted choc then cream stirred in)..

JodyBPM

I forgot to mention that my DH doesn't like mushrooms, otherwise I love the mushroom stroganoff / mushroom risotto idea. Sounds yummy to me!

Think I will go with lasagne, with a bought vegetarian lasagne for the veggie. That way I can make it in advance, and it can all be cooked together, and I can bulk up quantities with garlic bread and salad if needed.

Cheers everyone!

outofmoney

I would do a big portion of pasta. When almost cooked throw in a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes, plus two tin fulls of water, broccoli, mushrooms, sweetcorn and anything else that takes your fancy. Put in the oven to finish off.

Separately fry some chopped chicken and bacon.

When ready dish up one portion for the vegetarian then add the chicken and bacon and stir through for the others.

Serve with Garlic Bread.

This should cover everyone, and you can always have a bowl of grated cheese on the table for those that want to add it to their pasta.

There are 6 of us and the kids often have friends over so I find this is one quick and easy meal that sorts everyone.

Edited to say we cross posted so sounds like you are sorted now!