We have a group of friends who we get together with regularly, and usually we just get a Chinese or Indian takeaway. I'm thinking about attempting to cook instead so am looking for ideas. There would be 8 adults, 2 of whom are vegetarians and could be a few teenagers in tow (there's a budding romance between the son of one family & the daughter of another) as well.
I'm thinking chilli plus bits. My little steamer couldn't make enough rice for everyone but maybe a big bowl of rice which I could then bulk out as a rice salad (so cucumber, peppers, sweetcorn, etc.), tacos and bread. Am looking for ideas for my Veggie friends and/or 'another main dish'.
What about a vegetable chilli or curry? I use any type of vegetable - courgette, cauliflower, carrot, green beans, potato, spinach etc - cut them into chunks or slices, then fry some onion & garlic and your chosen spices - curry powder or chilli powder plus what ever other spices you might like to use. Add the vegetables to the pan, then once the vegetables and spices are combined, add a tin of chopped tomatoes (or fresh ones, skin removed) and leave to bubble away until cooked.
ReplyDeleteNot so much another main dish, but possibly a vegetarian alternative :)
- Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges
ReplyDelete- Cheesey Bean & Sweetcorn Nachos
- Veggie Quesadillas
- Bean Burritos
- Layered Taco Salad
I love quesadillas yum yum especially cheese & mushroom ones!
Mexican is a good idea. Make some meaty and some veggie chilli (get those tins of mixed beans, but not the ones with sweetcorn in), refried beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, a bit of salad, tortillas / tacos / wedges / nachos.
ReplyDeleteOr curry: do a vege one and a meat one (or a couple of meat ones), plus rice, naan, get some bhajis and stuff from the supermarket, raita, mango chutney, lime pickle, poppadoms. And some chickpea and lentil dahl (have a made up recipe for that, let me know if you want it).
When I am cooking for lots of people I often do 3 big lasagnes - a classic lasagne, a vegetable lasagne (with courgettes, mushrooms, peppers and basically any veg available) and a chicken and bacon lasagne.
ReplyDeleteThat way, I can prep them the night before and just shove them in the oven to cook on the day.
Also, it means I don't have to worry about 'cooking' side dishes. I just serve with lots of french bread, and a huge salad. If I think it needs bulking out I might do potato wedges too.
Everyone can help themselves and you don't have to spend all night in the kitchen.