Wouldn't you know that the week of my returning to menu planning is a short week for me at home. I'll need to stock the kitchen with easy stuff for the family when I am off to Chicago for BlogHer.
I've got a request for you all - can you help me? My husband and I are hosting the annual family reunion in a few weeks, and we really need to some ideas for frugal food ideas for large groups. We will be at a public area, and under a big tent...so items also need to be OK for coolers or slow cookers. We'd like to consider catering...but this is usually more of a potluck affair. We have a modest budget for food and related expenses, and will be paying for the use of the event location. Any ideas or tips for us? I'd like to include your tips in an upcoming post. Thanks!
Meals for this week include:
- chicken stir fry with veggies and rice
- beef roast with potatoes and carrots
- annie's mac and cheese, turkey hot dogs, fresh veggies
- leftover buffet
- pizza and salad
- chicken nuggets, green beans and onion rings
- breakfast for dinner or maybe even a night of take out!
One last note: Many thanks to Lisa at Peppers & Pollywogs for including my Pirate Party Treat on her great kids party planning site! If you haven't been there yet, you should totally check it out. All sorts of great ideas, links, photos and even giveaways.
Have a wonderful week and check out a whole mess of menus at the OrgJunkie site for inspiration.
7 more things to say about this:
Mmm onion rings! Those are going to added to my list!
As for your get together, rice is a great meat-stretcher. I add it to meatballs, turkey/beef burgers, taco filling. Rice and/or pasta side dishes and inexpensive desserts like rice krispies.
Oh, and beans! Beans are cheap! :)
chili and cornbread, spaghetti, pasta salads, "build your own" tacos or green salads (have a few choices like taco meat, black beans,corn, and mango salsa, or candied almonds, chicken and mandarin oranges, or chicken, olives, feta, cukes and tomoatoes etc etc)are easy on the cheap, but if you want more (umm better) ideas, let me know about how much per person you've got to spend and I'd be happy help you come up with something else.
here's a great one! Habanero Cheddar and Black Bean Spread w/chips
http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/recipes/recipe.php?id=325
I love polenta as a side dish - this one's for a slow cooker
http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/recipes/recipe.php?id=34
other thoughts: chicken wings on the grill (cheap and yummy!), potato salad, macaroni salad, I've made this rice & pea salad http://www.themediadrome.com/content/recipes/cold_rice_pea_salad.htm and the kids like it (I leave the celery out), hummus & baby carrots....
Have fun!
Yum, I love mac and cheese!!! I prefer Velveeta or the store brand equivalent tho.
I love meat. Beef roast sounds great. I often make them in the crockpot as they come out so tender and flavorful.
Personally I feel moderation is the right path in all things. I can suggest some alternatives, choose a whole grain rice & possibly add some beans to your meals like wise go for something healthier & you can also learn to accommodate healthier ingredients to your basic meal. It will make a huge difference in the quality of what your family eats. learn more on http://www.habitchanger.com/
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