Feeding a large number of people for a family reunion

How to feed an army or your family

When it comes to family reunions, nobody dreads it more than the person sponsoring it. There’s the locale, the date, the time, the family feuds that must be avoided at all cost but most importantly there is the food. How do you feed so many people? Is it time to call a caterer or can you do it yourself? The answer is do it yourself, but be smart about it.

First, hamburgers and hot dogs are a cheap option and can go a long way to making sure everybody is fed. But this concept is overdone. If you keep your eyes open to the local flyers you can purchase chicken pieces inexpensively months in advance and freeze it until the big day. When purchasing the chicken, buy two pieces for each adult you are inviting and one piece for each child under the age of 10. Then buy an extra package, just in case. Once you have your numbers you can determine how much to take out. Chicken will take care of the folks watching their waistline and you watching your budget. Take the chicken out and marinate it in a simple bottle of Italian dressing for 24 hours. You have a tasty meal ready for everybody.

Potato salad, done correctly can feed a lot of people and can be done inexpensively as well. Peel, dice and boil ten pounds of potatoes, in a large pot until fork tender. Drain and allow to cool completely, while this is cooling, chop three celery stalks and one medium green pepper. Toss these ingredients with half of a jar of Hellman’s mayo, one third cup of dill pickle juice, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste. Use a little more mayo for a creamier salad, less for a dryer one. Just remember that one medium potato per person is a good gauge as to how much to make. Also remember that not everybody will eat potato salad.

While we are on the subject of salads, in the day and age of Atkins and carbs, we can count on tossing a salad and getting away with a cheap entree as well. Many grocery stores will carry those large bags of pre-made salads that allow you to add a few cucumbers, peppers and cherry tomatoes for a filling and inexpensive treat. When you are getting close to reunion day, scan the store ads for dressings that are buy one get one free. This will allow you to get your potential dressings without having them sit around for months on end. A good rule of thumb is Italian, Ranch and French dressings, set out shakers of oil and vinegar and you’ve got dressings for all.

Ambrosia is a wonderful cool edition in the hot summer months and cannot be refused by adult or child. Additionally, you can make enough for everybody without pulling out the platinum credit card. Four simple ingredients mixed together the day of the party and placed in a bowl will be a palate pleaser. First, open and drain one can of pineapple chunks and one can of mandarin oranges for every eight persons. So if you have a party of twenty-four, you will need three cans of each. Then measure out one half of a bag of miniature marshmallows per can. For this recipe you will need a bag and a half. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl then add thawed Cool Whip. Use enough Cool Whip to combine the fruit and marshmallows in a smooth consistency. You may add shredded coconut or different fruits, if you choose, just keep in mind everybody’s individual tastes. This dessert is quick, easy, inexpensive and light in calories. Nobody should complain.

Finally, when all else fails, ask everybody to bring a dish to share. Obviously in this day and age you cannot be expected to feed a family of thirty or more family members. In your invitation, if you express that you will provide the meats, most everybody will gladly chip in something else for their contribution. Just give them a rough head count a few days before hand so they won’t be cooking for too many or not enough. Surely, there will be at least a few relatives who will bring a dessert to share as well.

The family reunion doesn’t have to be too stressful. Gladly accept those hands that come along offering to help. Let somebody else have all the fun in picking out the napkins, tablecloths, utensils and paper products. Then put your stove to work not your wallet in finding solutions to feed the massive throng heading your way.