Roast dinner for 13!

sandy2000

Hi
I have all my family coming on New Years Day. 8 adults and 5 kids.

The numbers seem to be growing every year! In the past I just did roast beef dinner and it was ok, but i'm a bit worried about this many people.

Last week I ordered the meat from the butcher and told him for 13.

I'm worried i've bitten off more than I can chew... wondering if anyone who does this successfully could share some tips and sides they do. And how much i can do the day before

Thanks Sandra

Quackers1

You can certainly prep the veg the day before - if storing in water, then add half a lemon to each pan to keep it fresh. Be realistic about how much people will eat. You can always cook the veg. while the meat rests. Good luck and enjoy it!

katkin

Wow, well done you! You'll have a great time, don't worry about it.

Can you prepare and freeze as much as possible part-cooked? Iile the roast tatties, puddings etc.

I'd hit the slow cooker and do the meat in there. Cool it then slice thinly to freeze, doing the gravy separately? Then I'd cook it with a little gravy in the oven covered in foil etc.

By the time its all out on the table with garnishes and decorations, served up in nice bowls, platters etc - it'll look great, fab spread.

Best of luck x

Edit: and does it all have to be roast beef - what about chicken, pork etc as well? May be cheaper and a little bit of this and that is a nice treat.

HappyMJ

sandy2000 wrote: »

Hi
I have all my family coming on New Years Day. 8 adults and 5 kids.

The numbers seem to be growing every year! In the past I just did roast beef dinner and it was ok, but i'm a bit worried about this many people.

Last week I ordered the meat from the butcher and told him for 13.

I'm worried i've bitten off more than I can chew... wondering if anyone who does this successfully could share some tips and sides they do. And how much i can do the day before

Thanks Sandra

13...I've only done 12 before so I don't think I could help you.

You need some way of keeping the food warm whilst preparing other parts of the meal. Do you have a bain-marie?

sandy2000

No I don't have a bain marie... but i have 2 ovens (one never really gets used )

I never thought of doing the meat before and slicing when cooled.. that could take a lot of pressure off... and never thought of the slow cooker for the meat... i have done a deboned leg of lamb in it and its always turned out fab... will google how to do it.. thanks!!

zaxdog

Why not make a traditional meal for the day?

You can make the steak pie in advance. Same for the veg and then all you need to do is pop the pies in the oven and roast the tatties. :j

patanne

I'm a big fan of planning. The first year I did 14 (xmas dinner) I 'used' my only gravy boat twice, which caused a bit of last minute panic. To be honest I'm not a big fan of keeping food warm. Anything that you can cook early and give a quick 'spin' in the microwave such as gravy, any sauce, some veg, then do that. As its family then don't be afraid of giving out instructions such as I need someone to open the wine or who's going to come and stir this for me. I would definitely over-plan. That way you will get the chance to enjoy the company too & not spend all your time worrying in the kitchen. And don't be scared of arranging a clean-up crew. After all you may be chief cook but you don't have to be bottle washer too!

pigpen

prep veg the day before
Cook meat the day before.. slice when cold and place in an oven dish.
Prep Yorkshire pud batter the day before.

Cook veg as you would normally.. and put yorkies in.. cover sliced meat in gravy and foil then put in the oven for abut 20 minutes.

Dish up the childrens first.. so it can cool while you dish up everyone elses.. don't ask who likes/dislikes what just give everyone the same.. keep the hob heat on to keep veg warm.. meat veg, yorkies, gravy pass to someone else to put on the table..

I cook for 11 on a daily basis.. yesterday it was 23.

The other option is dish up the childrens.. put meat on pre warmed plates and tell people to add their own veg/yorkies/gravy from the pan.

I have used my second oven twice in 9 years!

sandy2000

23! wow... makes 11 seem easy! Definitely going to make the meat ahead... and the veggies... i'm looking forward to it now.... and i'm off the day before... hence my planning now...will be borrowing a few plates... and chairs!! ... from my mum!
Thx everybody for the tips... lots i hadn't thought of

pigpen

Mashed veg gets cold a LOT quicker than chunks so may need warming in microwave or keeping warm in your second oven.

I find 2 small jugs of gravy is best.. one in MW and one on the table.. reheat and swap when necessary

Gravy is the only thing I wouldn't add to other peoples dinner.

Set the table the day before too, everything but plates, turn glasses upside down to avoid dust and bugs.. add condiments in advance.. you don't want to just get seated and someone wants the salt or cranberry sauce or apple sauce..

Marmaduke123

We used to have 15 for Christmas dinner every year! My poor mother! We teenage children had to be waitresses so we hardly got to sit down.

Perhaps because of this I would never do a roast for a large number of people. Lasagne or a really good beef casserole is much more manageable then you can go to town on the puds.