Just went a little insane and invited the neighborhood over for NYE dinner...

K

kathleen

Well-known member
and need some advice (other than to keep my mouth shut!) I only invited the families with young kids assuming they would have no babysitters and want to join us. So far, four families have said yes and still waiting to hear from two others. So, 10-14 adults and about 13 small (all under age 7) kids.

What should I make? When I just called my DH at work to tell him what I did, I promised him I would make it casual and low stress. My first thought is a ham but I am guessing most everyone will have gotten their fill by the 31st. Lasagna? Would have to make a LOT. Gretchen's pulled pork?

We live in Minnesota so I assume it will be in the teens or single digits. So, it needs to be a hearty meal.

Thanks for any ideas you all may have.

Kathleen

 
My in-laws had everyone over for a big pot of Jambalaya every year when the kids were young.

It was a neighborhood tradition. I should clarify that this was waaaaay back, when dh and his brother were young lads smileys/smile.gif

For 2000 we had SS's friends all over for the night and did a make your own pizza bar. I don't think it would work for that many, tho.

 
Oh Kathleen....What were you thinking!!! ?**&^*& Here is what I would do

Based on your child/adult ratio, I would try to make it as simple as possible. I really enjoy the lasagne at Cosco / BJ's. They make some incredible meat/vegitarian lasagnes.

I would also purchase their large bags of romaine lettuce and make a great ceasar salad dressing. I love the garlic one on epi. You can make some home made croutons the day before, and will be very impressive. When you serve; if you can, purchase a large piece of parmesean and sliver pieces with your cucumber/potato peeler.

I also would make a great garlic bread. No one likes to admit that they eat it, but it all seems to dissapear. I love Pegs recipe for stuffed garlic bread. Not sure if it has made it's way over from Gails. BUT, it is really good, and make ahead.

I would ask your friends to either bring dessert or appetizers. In my case, I am not a sweet eater, so I am always asking for after dinner help.

It will all work out and be alot of fun!! Kudos to you to coordinating!

Barb

 
Every New Years Day, we serve a traditional New Years Day meal:

Hoppin’ John
Fried Chicken
Fried Okra
Smothered Cabbage with Ham
Cornbread
Hot & Sweet Pickles

Pecan Pie
Sweet Potato Pie
with Butterscotch Whipped Cream

Sweet-Tea, Dixie Beer

(Not bad for a Yankee-Jewboy, huh?)

 
Thanks for the ideas....

...not really sure what came over me. Just ran into a couple other moms at the gym this morning and we got to talking and next thing you know......

Like the Jambalaya idea except my DH is allergic to shellfish and I only know how to make it with shrimp and crawfish. The lasagna idea is a good one...didn't think of buying it in advance. That is easy. The thought of making a bunch of lasagnas is what had me scared. Are the Costco ones really good? Never had one but we do have a Costco nearby where I could get them.

For dessert I was thinking of a brownie sundae bar. The kids will all like it and all the parents will indulge as well. Might break out my punch bowl and make some fun drink for the kids and then an appropriate adult beverage for everyone else. Luckily, no one will be driving.

I promised my DH (after a very long, painful silence) that I would accept anyone's offer to help or bring a dish (I always politely decline other help but not this night) so maybe I can off load appetizers that way.

Kathleen

 
Chili, Goulash, Soup, Salad, and sides....

To keep it easy/do ahead I might make both a pot of chili and one of soup to keep on the stove with lots of snackable sides to please everyone. Maybe even some fun sandwichs like PB&J for kid (and adult!) freindly finger foods.

This way folks can drop-in whenever and serve themselves. Then all you need to do is open a bottle of bubbly and be hostess with the mostess!

http://www.recipezaar.com/Chasens-Chili-28919

 
Most kids like pasta...

so with that in mind I would make baked ziti for the kids. Keep it simple cheese and sauce. You can make it ahead of time and one large casserole should feed all the little ones.

As for adults I found this in my files. Easier than making lasagna and it will feed a crowd.
Salad and garlic bread and your set.

There is a lot you can do with this recipe to make it your own. You can use this as the base.
**I would consider subing her cheese choices with ricotta and mozzerela.*** adding sausage, and making my own tomato sauce. But then again you may like it as is....

Baked Spaghetti
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
There is a lot you can do with this recipe to make it your own. You can use this as tthe base.
**I would consider subing her cheese choices with ricotta and mozzerela.*** adding sausage
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Yield: 10 servings
2 cups canned diced tomatoes
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 small bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup grated Monterey Jack

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Crumble the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until fully cooked, with no pink color remaining. Drain the fat from the meat, and then add the ground beef to the stockpot. Simmer for 20 more minutes. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Cover the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and then a little less than 1/2 of each cheese; repeat the layers, ending with the sauce. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, return it to the oven, and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 more minutes. Cut into squares before serving.


House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder


Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Preparation tine: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Ease of Preparation: Easy

 
One of my favorite articles in Sunset described a family that invited the neighborhood every week.

Weds nights everyone was welcome to drop by and bring a dish to share. The host made two big pots of soup (one especially kid-friendly) and asked everyone else to bring a dish (salad, dessert, bread, etc.). I like this idea because: it helps defray the cost, keeps it simple, and if someone's kid is picky, the hope is they'll anticipate that and bring something their kid will eat.

I have a sweet tooth and by New Years, I'm sick of sweets. Maybe for dessert, serve a big bowl of fruit -- cut up citrus, pomegranate seeds, etc.

 
I'm doing a chili dinner--three kinds of chili: chicken&white bean,

turkey chili from Fine Cooking and my standard midwestern chili for my husband's employee party. Others will bring shredded cheese, sour cream and other toppings, as well as corn bread.

 
taco/burrito bar, baked potato bar, pasta bar. the pulled pork and Baked beans sounds great

with a salad/cole slaw or crudite platter and maybe some sandwich fixins for kids. Ice cream cups with some toppings.

 
After the posts about what to do with and how to eat pom seeds, I can just see Kathleen's house

after 47 grownups and 14 children under 7 have "sucked and spit" them teehee! How about pom pops??? (use juice) smileys/smile.gif Don't forget the hoppin' john!

 
How about the Beef Stew thread at 12855? I would do a big pot of Beef Bourguinon, which is best done

a day or two ahead anyway, served with egg noodles and a great big salad.

 
Is This It, Been In My Files for 10 years or so. REC: Stuffed Garlic Bread

STUFFED GARLIC BREAD

1 unsliced loaf french bread
6 T. butter
1 whole head of fresh garlic, peeled and chopped fine
7 t. sesame seeds
1/4 c. parmesan cheese, grated
1-1/2 c. sour cream
2 c. Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1" cubes
2 t. lemon pepper
2 t. parsley
2 c. chopped artichoke hearts

Cut loaf in half lengthwise. Tear out soft center of bread in chunks,
leaving crust intact.

Put crust shells on a foil covered cookie sheet, crust sides down.

Melt butter in a large skillet, stir in garlic and sesame seeds. Cook for
1-2 min. on med. heat (don't burn the garlic!). Stir in the torn bread
chunks, and cook until golden brown and butter has been absorbed. Remove
from heat.

In a very large bowl combine sour cream, jack cheese, parmesan, parsley and
lemon pepper. Stir in artichoke hearts and toasted bread (garlic bits
too!).

Mix well and spoon back into bread shells. Cover with foil and bake at 350
for 20 min. Remove foil and bake uncovered. Let rest 5-8 min before
cutting.

You could also make this in dinner rolls following the same procedures.

Hope you enjoy this. It is realy good!

 
That's it! We really enjoy this recipe! Stuffed Garlic Bread...YUM!

Thanks for tracking it down!

 
Thanks for all the advice.....

...I think I am leaning towards the pulled pork with baked beans and a potato bar or the lasagna idea. The garlic bread sounds great...I remember someone posting it on the old Gail's a million years ago. Will try making it sometime in the next couple of weeks as a test run.

Thanks for all the advice.

kathleen

 
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