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Journey33
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 1402 total posts
Name:
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Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
So I took this on-totally willingly bc DH and I are tired of splitting the holiday between two families. We love both sides and never want to slight anyone so this year we offered to host. Im sure many people will bring side dishes but I need to make sure I have a few (Im thinking 4-5 sides) that can feed 15-20 people.
Does anyone have any great make ahead recipes/plans to take on something like this?
I know Im freakin nuts!
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Posted 10/28/14 9:36 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Oh don't panic! Make a nice organized list so your thoughts aren't swimming. After you've decided which dishes to have, you can lay out your serveware, coordinate the wine and drinks, and maybe cater in the turkey and just make some apps ahead of time. The cheese/crackers/brie, shrimp ring always goes over well! Fresh rolls go a long way, btw. So impressive~ Buy the ones that you bake yourself from the freezer  If you're organized it won't be as daunting.
P.S. you're not nuts!
Message edited 10/28/2014 10:01:15 PM.
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| Posted 10/28/14 9:59 PM |
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Journey33
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 1402 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Posted by LIRascal
Oh don't panic! Make a nice organized list so your thoughts aren't swimming. After you've decided which dishes to have, you can lay out your serveware, coordinate the wine and drinks, and maybe cater in the turkey and just make some apps ahead of time. The cheese/crackers/brie, shrimp ring always goes over well! Fresh rolls go a long way, btw. So impressive~ Buy the ones that you bake yourself from the freezer If you're organized it won't be as daunting.
P.S. you're not nuts!
I LOVE the brie cheese/philo dough with jelly appetizers. but Im trying to limit oven use b/c I know it will be crowded with other stuff too. So, yes I think the shrimp ring will be great and I may do some dips that can be refrigerated/don't need to be heated.
You're right about the list.. which is what Im trying to get in order now so I don't lose my mind!
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| Posted 10/28/14 10:33 PM |
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Posted by Journey33
I LOVE the brie cheese/philo dough with jelly appetizers. but Im trying to limit oven use b/c I know it will be crowded with other stuff too. So, yes I think the shrimp ring will be great and I may do some dips that can be refrigerated/don't need to be heated.
You're right about the list.. which is what Im trying to get in order now so I don't lose my mind!
you can still do brie appetizers without using the oven! i love brie plain or with cucumbers or jelly on crackers.
I agree with list making, I make so many. I plan the menu first. That is important to me. I then make a shopping list of all the ingredients and where and when i should buy it all. Another important list is the timing. what i can and need to get done a day or two before and day of the timing of the oven. what can go into the oven when and all the cook times so I dont forget how long it all takes. I also make a remember to serve this checklist so I know I didn't leave any dishes in the fridge or counter.
Plus with 25 people it is always easy to say bring alcohol, or bring an appetizer or bring a dessert... less work for you.
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| Posted 10/29/14 7:05 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Cater
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| Posted 10/29/14 8:47 AM |
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
I host Thanksgiving - I usually put out several appetizers (so people aren't starving waiting for dinner... takes the pressure off a bit).
For apps - I do sausage stuffed mushrooms (that I make a day in advance and then just heat in the oven for 25 mins or so before serving), shrimp cocktail, brie bites (mini phyllo cups with raspberry jam, a cube of brie and a pecan half baked in the oven), spinach dip in a bread bowl (my fil will usually bring from a gourmet store near him, but you can even do the Knorr's recipe) with bread cubes, crackers, veggies.
For sides -
On the recipe swap thread, I posted a carrot soufflé recipe that is awesome and make ahead. I also do the Paula Dean corn casserole (also posted on that thread). Pioneer Women's recipe for make ahead mashed potatoes (you make them, put them in a baking dish, and then bake before serving) is really good. The great thing about Thanksgiving is that so many sides lend themselves to making ahead.
Don't forget that you don't need to make every side big enough to serve every person. With a big meal like Thanksgiving, not everyone will eat everything, and if they do, they may try a spoonful or two, not eat a whole serving.
I host Thanksgiving for 12-15 people every year and Easter for about 30-35, and I think the keys are:
1. Planning ahead and being organized (envision the entire day/all aspects of the meal so you don't forget to buy something necessary, like cream for coffee or toothpicks for the hors d'ourves);
2. Doing as much as possible in advance (set the table the night before, make a lot of dishes a day or two in advance and label them with instructions for heating up, take out your serving dishes/utensils so they are ready to go).
3. Don't try to make everything from scratch. I used to try to do that because I love to cook and bake, but when hosting a large party or holiday, you have to take some help. So store bought cranberry sauce or doing a no-cook appetizer that you just assemble or asking people to bring desserts will make your life infinitely easier.
4. Do have a few special touches that will make it seem festive. For example, I always try to do a signature drink in my crystal punch bowl for Thanksgiving... fall spiced sangria, caramel apple cider sangria, champagne punch. For my Christmas Brunch, I have special napkin rings I use. Those little touches make it seem more holiday-ish!
Good luck! I am sure you will do great, and whatever happens, just stay calm and keep smiling! A happy hostess = relaxed and happy guests!
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| Posted 10/29/14 8:55 AM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Cater the sides. My parents when they bought their house had 65 people for dinner. My mom made two birds and her stuffing. She catered two more birds and the rest of the sides from lands end. It was amazing. So worth it for a huge amount of people.
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| Posted 10/29/14 9:54 AM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
I label my serving dishes with what is going to go into them, only because everyone wants to help. This way the small side doesn't go into the big bowl I need for the potatoes.
I also make the potatoes and mash them ahead of time, cover with a thin layer of milk, wrap the pot in a huge towel and put it near the radiator in my kitchen. They stay very warm and right before serving, add some more warm milk and butter.
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| Posted 10/29/14 12:41 PM |
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Journey33
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 1402 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Awesome ideas Thanks all!
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| Posted 10/29/14 3:42 PM |
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HillandRon
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2922 total posts
Name:
Hillary
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
We always get our Turkey from iavorone bros. they carve for you for an extra fee
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| Posted 10/30/14 9:18 AM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
Check out Food Network magazine this month or even their site. They always have the best ideas and I get inspired for what to make for Thanksgiving. You can go fairly simple and delicious - first time we hosted Thanksgiving I wanted to do it all and make so many things, totally not necessary. The staples always ended up being eaten the most:
- Mac & Cheese (Food Network has some delicious recipes for this)
- Stuffing - using the Stove Top box but adding in a bunch of additional veggies to it makes it a lot more flavorful
- Biscuits - You can try homemade, but we usually just get the pre-made stuff, and everyone loves it
- Nice big salad
- Mashed potatoes - Pioneer Woman has a delicious recipe
- Green Beans casserole or roasted brussel sprouts - Ina Garten has some yummy options
What's helped me in the past is to prep day before as much as possible. About 2 days before, I do my food shopping. The day before, I prep anything I can - chopping veggies, etc. The morning of, I start cooking. Certain things you can make ahead - like boiling the pasta, cooling it and putting it in the pan, and then later adding in the cheese sauce. Mashed potatoes - prep potatoes and keep them in cool water. Stuffing, same thing - prep ingredients and then before hand just bake it. Have others bring dessert or buy it.
Enjoy!
Message edited 11/2/2014 7:06:06 PM.
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| Posted 11/2/14 7:04 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Thanksgiving for 25 people-I can't cook!
I host for 20-30 people every year. This year I think I have 24 for dinner and 8 more for dessert. I do not make any desserts, my guests know they make/bring dessert.
My moms family is Italian so my aunt makes a huge antipasto style salad(she stays at my house all weekend so I buy everything and she makes it)
My mom makes a few sides at her house-acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, asparagus
Last year we also had 4 trays of Italian food catered in, it was way too much food. My family really expects these fairly simple staple recipes, if I skip something somebody complains they waited all year for it. Lol
Sometimes I make this cornucopia thing out of biscuits that has a veggie platter coming out of it.
I wake up at 5:30 am and I make 2 turkey's
Stuffing
Candied yams and mashed yams
Green bean casserole( it's a family favorite)
Mashed potatoes
Glazed carrots
Broccoli cauliflower with cheese sauce
Home made dinner rolls
I usually find one new recipe to try every year, haven't found it yet but I'm thinking of spagetti squash
My cousin starts the gravy as soon as she gets to my house.
I have chafing dishes that I plan out what goes in them. I have figured out over the years how to get everything hot at the same time. A warming tray or multi crock pot thing is very helpful for this.
By Wednesday night I will have 6 adult house guests so my DH will have them help with the tables and chairs.
My stepdaughter and cousins daughter will set the table.
This is our 11th thanksgiving in our house with the same guests, we've sort of hit our stride with everyone helping in some way.
Don't be afraid to ask for help just because you're hosting!
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| Posted 11/3/14 7:12 AM |
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