I am catering my son's wedding dinner for 50 and I need ideas for recipes that can be made mostly ahead.?!
Answers:
You might find something from these you can use!.!.!.!.simple - E-Z recipes!.!.!.double or triple recipes:
COLA CHICKEN
(And more variations of recipe)
(My favorite: Wings or Ribs)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 12oz!. can cola (pepsi, coke, etc!.)
Put chicken in a non-stick pan!.
Mix together catsup and cola, pour over chicken!.
Bring to a boil!. Cover, reduce heat and cook 45 minutes!.
(turning chicken a few times, while cooking!.!.!.to prevent from
sticking to pan)
Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce
becomes thick and adheres to the chicken!.
It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce!. Yummmm!
You can double the recipe and use more pieces of
chicken!.!.!.!.wings!.!.!.would be ideal!.!.!.add some hot
sauce!.!.!.!.presto "Hot
Wings"!
I have used Ribs, just as good!.
I tried this recipe with 'meatballs'!.!.!.!.was equally
as good!.!.!.served over rice!.
I found another variation!.!.!.!.!.omit the catsup and add a small
jar of Salsa (any variety)!.
I have tried using Salsa (omitting the catsup!.!.!.!.not)!.
You'd think a recipe with only '3' ingredients couldn't be
messed up!.!.!.!.wouldn't you!?!?
Well!.!.!.while I was preparing to fix the 'Cola Chicken' recipe
using Salsa!.!.!.!.!.I was also trying to carry on a conversation with my
husband!.!.!.(just proves!.!.!.I can't do two things at once)!.!.!.!.mixed
Salsa & Catsup (before I realized I was supposed to leave out
the catsup) & Cola!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.still turned out really tasty (to me)!.!.!.might
be a little sweeter than some of you like!.
I fixed chicken wings, (using the above recipe)
but!.!.!.I added the spices from a MILD (I don't care for "HOT") Buffalo Wings packet!.!.!.(the kind you get to bake in the oven)!.!.!.!.!.I thought it was really good!.!.!.!.!.(but you/I can't find a 'bad' way to fix chicken)!.
Finally!.!.!.!.!! I fixed the 'SALSA' chicken!.!.!.!.!.!.that's good , too!.
Another (bright)idea!.!.!.!.!.I thought of trying!.!.!.!.!.!.replace the
catsup with a bottle of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce!.!.!.and add a bag of (pop corn) shrimp!.!.!.!.!.!
Fixed the shrimp with cocktail sauce!.!.!.!.!.!.eh!.!.!.wasn't all that
great!.!.!.was OK!.!.!.probably won't be fixing it again!.
also tried beef stew cuts!.!.!.!.!.!.that was pretty good!.!.!.!.!.I can see
myself making this again!.
Served both over rice!.!.!.!.!.think the stew cuts would have been just as
good over noodles!.
How about using the little cocktail weiners/sausages!?
OLD SETTLER’S BEANS
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb!. ground beef1/2 lb!. bacon
1 chopped onion
Brown in skillet and drain excess grease!.
ADD:
16 oz!. can Red Kidney Beans (drained)
24 oz!. can Pork & Beans (drained)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Catsup
2 TBLS!. Molasses
1/2 tsp!. dry mustard
Mix Thoroughly !
Cook in a crock pot until!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!
MARINATED VEGGIE SALAD
1 lb!. can French style green beans
1 lb!. can small peas
1 lb!. can white corn
1 - 4oz!. jar pimento (chopped)
1 cup shopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup sugar (I used artificial sweetener)
2/3 cup vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 tsp!. salt
1 tsp!. pepper
1!.)Pour green beans, peas, corn & pimento in a colander to drain over a
large bowl!. Discard 1 1/2 cups of liquid!.
2!.)Put veggies in a large bowl and fold in onions, celery and green
peppers!.
3!.)Mix together thoroughly the remaining ingredients and toss with
veggies!.
4!.)Cover and let sit over night in refrigerator!. (The longer it marinates the better!.)
OATMEAL PIE
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup uncooked oatmeal
2/3 cup light Karo syrup
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
? cup melted margarine, cooled
1 – 9” unbaked pie shell
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees!.
Mix all ingredients in order given!.
Pour into pie shell!.
Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean!.
(I used Karo Brown Sugar Syrup and topped pie with pecan halves!. I made 2 pies the same day!. The one that sat over night was the better of the 2…(my opinion)!.
Hershey’s Cocoa Cream Pie
(The best chocolate flavor I’ve found!)
? c!. Hershey’s cocoa
1 ? c!. sugar
1/3 c!. cornstarch
? tsp!. Salt
3 c!. milk
3 TBLS!. Butter or margarine
1 ? tsp vanilla
1 baked pie crust, cooled or a graham cracker crust
1!.) In medium saucepan, stir together until well-blended cocoa, sugar, cornstarch and salt!.
2!.) Gradually add milk to dry ingredients, stirring until smooth!.
3!.) Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture boils!. Boil 1 minute, remove from heat!.
4!.) Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla!.
5!.) Pour into pie crust, cool!.
6!.) Top with meringue or cool whip!.
CAKE MIX COOKIES
White Cake Mix
2 Tablespoons water
2 eggs
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts
powdered sugar
Mix all ingredients, except powdered sugar!.
Drop batter (about a teaspoon per cookie) into a bowl of powdered sugar!.
Roll in sugar until it is an approximate shape of a ball!.
Place ion a lightly greased cookie sheet!.
Bake at 350 degrees about 18 minutes, until lightly browned!.
Cool on wire racks!. Makes about 4 dozen cookies!.
(Use any flavoring or cake mix you desire
Banana Pudding
I usually double the recipe!.!.!.!.never any left-overs!.
Ingredients:
Bananas
Use instant Banana pudding or vanilla pudding fix by directions on box!.
Cool Whip!.!.!.add to pudding mix thoroughly!.
Vanilla wafers
Toasted coconut!.
Line serving dish with a layer of vanilla wafers (a row up the sides of dish, also!.)
Add a layer of sliced of bananas
Gently cover with a layer of 1/2 pudding mixture!.
Make a second layer of wafers, bananas & pudding!.
Top with some toasted coconut and/or crushed vanilla wafers!.
(I’ve not made this yet…but gave it to someone who did…!.!.was enjoyed by alll…!.!.made in a large pan…not individual servings!.)
SARA LEE TIRAMISU (easy)
Tiramisu –
Ingredients:
1 Sara lee pound cake (10 3/4oz!.)
16 oz Non-dairy whipped topping;
1/4 c Strong-brewed coffee
1/2 c Sweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
Cut pound cake vertically into 10 equal-size slices!.
Drizzle coffee over each slice; set aside!.
In a large bowl, combine whipped topping and 1/4 cup cocoa, mixing until blended!.
Place 5 cake slices on a flat surface!.
Evenly spread a thick layer of whipped topping mixture over each slice!.
Top each with a second cake slice, sandwich-style!.
Transfer to individual dessert plates!.
Spread each cake "sandwich" with whipped topping mixture!.
Cut "sandwiches" diagonally in half!.
Sprinkle with remaining cocoa; serve immediately!.
CHICKEN FAJITA DIP
MIX TOGETHER THOROUGHLY:
1 (10 3/4oz!.) can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup salsa
2 cups colby/jack shredded cheese
Hint:
Can be served cold or warm!.
Can be doubled, tripled!.!.!.!.etc!.
Excellent for a large crowd
BACON - HORSERADISH DIP
MIX TOGETHER THOROUGHLY:
1 16oz!. container sour cream
1 8oz!. container cream cheese
2 1/2 oz!. horseradish
3/4 - 1 cup real bacon bits
3/4 - 1 cup salad dressing
1/4 cup honey
sugar to taste
Serve with chip, crackers or veggies!.
BLACK OLIVE DIP
MIX THOROUGHLY:
1 small can chopped black olives
3oz!. cream cheese softened
Mix with enough Mayonnaise to desired consistency!.
Worcestershire sauce (optional)!.
Tabasco hot sauce, to taste!.
7-LAYER DIP
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans refried beans
1 small container salsa
1 bag shredded lettuce
24oz!. container sour cream
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 small canned sliced black olives
1 package shredded cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!.) In a 9 x 13 pan, spread refried beans!.
2!.) Cover with salsa!.
3!.) Spread lettuce over salsa!.
4!.) Cover lettuce with sour cream (put heaping spoonfuls randomly on top of lettuce & carefully spread)!.
5!.) Sprinkle cheese on top of lettuce!.
6!.) Sprinkle onions over cheese
7!.) Top off with olives!.
Find more quick – simple – E-Z – few ingredient…!.recipes…at E-Z Cookin’ group:
http://groups!.yahoo!.com/group/e-zcookin/
Lots of interesting ‘stuff’ in files & links…come join & check it out!.
Pat in Indiana…!.
pmsbar2@att!.netWww@FoodAQ@Com
COLA CHICKEN
(And more variations of recipe)
(My favorite: Wings or Ribs)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 12oz!. can cola (pepsi, coke, etc!.)
Put chicken in a non-stick pan!.
Mix together catsup and cola, pour over chicken!.
Bring to a boil!. Cover, reduce heat and cook 45 minutes!.
(turning chicken a few times, while cooking!.!.!.to prevent from
sticking to pan)
Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce
becomes thick and adheres to the chicken!.
It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce!. Yummmm!
You can double the recipe and use more pieces of
chicken!.!.!.!.wings!.!.!.would be ideal!.!.!.add some hot
sauce!.!.!.!.presto "Hot
Wings"!
I have used Ribs, just as good!.
I tried this recipe with 'meatballs'!.!.!.!.was equally
as good!.!.!.served over rice!.
I found another variation!.!.!.!.!.omit the catsup and add a small
jar of Salsa (any variety)!.
I have tried using Salsa (omitting the catsup!.!.!.!.not)!.
You'd think a recipe with only '3' ingredients couldn't be
messed up!.!.!.!.wouldn't you!?!?
Well!.!.!.while I was preparing to fix the 'Cola Chicken' recipe
using Salsa!.!.!.!.!.I was also trying to carry on a conversation with my
husband!.!.!.(just proves!.!.!.I can't do two things at once)!.!.!.!.mixed
Salsa & Catsup (before I realized I was supposed to leave out
the catsup) & Cola!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.still turned out really tasty (to me)!.!.!.might
be a little sweeter than some of you like!.
I fixed chicken wings, (using the above recipe)
but!.!.!.I added the spices from a MILD (I don't care for "HOT") Buffalo Wings packet!.!.!.(the kind you get to bake in the oven)!.!.!.!.!.I thought it was really good!.!.!.!.!.(but you/I can't find a 'bad' way to fix chicken)!.
Finally!.!.!.!.!! I fixed the 'SALSA' chicken!.!.!.!.!.!.that's good , too!.
Another (bright)idea!.!.!.!.!.I thought of trying!.!.!.!.!.!.replace the
catsup with a bottle of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce!.!.!.and add a bag of (pop corn) shrimp!.!.!.!.!.!
Fixed the shrimp with cocktail sauce!.!.!.!.!.!.eh!.!.!.wasn't all that
great!.!.!.was OK!.!.!.probably won't be fixing it again!.
also tried beef stew cuts!.!.!.!.!.!.that was pretty good!.!.!.!.!.I can see
myself making this again!.
Served both over rice!.!.!.!.!.think the stew cuts would have been just as
good over noodles!.
How about using the little cocktail weiners/sausages!?
OLD SETTLER’S BEANS
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb!. ground beef1/2 lb!. bacon
1 chopped onion
Brown in skillet and drain excess grease!.
ADD:
16 oz!. can Red Kidney Beans (drained)
24 oz!. can Pork & Beans (drained)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Catsup
2 TBLS!. Molasses
1/2 tsp!. dry mustard
Mix Thoroughly !
Cook in a crock pot until!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!
MARINATED VEGGIE SALAD
1 lb!. can French style green beans
1 lb!. can small peas
1 lb!. can white corn
1 - 4oz!. jar pimento (chopped)
1 cup shopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup sugar (I used artificial sweetener)
2/3 cup vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 tsp!. salt
1 tsp!. pepper
1!.)Pour green beans, peas, corn & pimento in a colander to drain over a
large bowl!. Discard 1 1/2 cups of liquid!.
2!.)Put veggies in a large bowl and fold in onions, celery and green
peppers!.
3!.)Mix together thoroughly the remaining ingredients and toss with
veggies!.
4!.)Cover and let sit over night in refrigerator!. (The longer it marinates the better!.)
OATMEAL PIE
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup uncooked oatmeal
2/3 cup light Karo syrup
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
? cup melted margarine, cooled
1 – 9” unbaked pie shell
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees!.
Mix all ingredients in order given!.
Pour into pie shell!.
Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean!.
(I used Karo Brown Sugar Syrup and topped pie with pecan halves!. I made 2 pies the same day!. The one that sat over night was the better of the 2…(my opinion)!.
Hershey’s Cocoa Cream Pie
(The best chocolate flavor I’ve found!)
? c!. Hershey’s cocoa
1 ? c!. sugar
1/3 c!. cornstarch
? tsp!. Salt
3 c!. milk
3 TBLS!. Butter or margarine
1 ? tsp vanilla
1 baked pie crust, cooled or a graham cracker crust
1!.) In medium saucepan, stir together until well-blended cocoa, sugar, cornstarch and salt!.
2!.) Gradually add milk to dry ingredients, stirring until smooth!.
3!.) Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture boils!. Boil 1 minute, remove from heat!.
4!.) Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla!.
5!.) Pour into pie crust, cool!.
6!.) Top with meringue or cool whip!.
CAKE MIX COOKIES
White Cake Mix
2 Tablespoons water
2 eggs
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts
powdered sugar
Mix all ingredients, except powdered sugar!.
Drop batter (about a teaspoon per cookie) into a bowl of powdered sugar!.
Roll in sugar until it is an approximate shape of a ball!.
Place ion a lightly greased cookie sheet!.
Bake at 350 degrees about 18 minutes, until lightly browned!.
Cool on wire racks!. Makes about 4 dozen cookies!.
(Use any flavoring or cake mix you desire
Banana Pudding
I usually double the recipe!.!.!.!.never any left-overs!.
Ingredients:
Bananas
Use instant Banana pudding or vanilla pudding fix by directions on box!.
Cool Whip!.!.!.add to pudding mix thoroughly!.
Vanilla wafers
Toasted coconut!.
Line serving dish with a layer of vanilla wafers (a row up the sides of dish, also!.)
Add a layer of sliced of bananas
Gently cover with a layer of 1/2 pudding mixture!.
Make a second layer of wafers, bananas & pudding!.
Top with some toasted coconut and/or crushed vanilla wafers!.
(I’ve not made this yet…but gave it to someone who did…!.!.was enjoyed by alll…!.!.made in a large pan…not individual servings!.)
SARA LEE TIRAMISU (easy)
Tiramisu –
Ingredients:
1 Sara lee pound cake (10 3/4oz!.)
16 oz Non-dairy whipped topping;
1/4 c Strong-brewed coffee
1/2 c Sweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
Cut pound cake vertically into 10 equal-size slices!.
Drizzle coffee over each slice; set aside!.
In a large bowl, combine whipped topping and 1/4 cup cocoa, mixing until blended!.
Place 5 cake slices on a flat surface!.
Evenly spread a thick layer of whipped topping mixture over each slice!.
Top each with a second cake slice, sandwich-style!.
Transfer to individual dessert plates!.
Spread each cake "sandwich" with whipped topping mixture!.
Cut "sandwiches" diagonally in half!.
Sprinkle with remaining cocoa; serve immediately!.
CHICKEN FAJITA DIP
MIX TOGETHER THOROUGHLY:
1 (10 3/4oz!.) can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup salsa
2 cups colby/jack shredded cheese
Hint:
Can be served cold or warm!.
Can be doubled, tripled!.!.!.!.etc!.
Excellent for a large crowd
BACON - HORSERADISH DIP
MIX TOGETHER THOROUGHLY:
1 16oz!. container sour cream
1 8oz!. container cream cheese
2 1/2 oz!. horseradish
3/4 - 1 cup real bacon bits
3/4 - 1 cup salad dressing
1/4 cup honey
sugar to taste
Serve with chip, crackers or veggies!.
BLACK OLIVE DIP
MIX THOROUGHLY:
1 small can chopped black olives
3oz!. cream cheese softened
Mix with enough Mayonnaise to desired consistency!.
Worcestershire sauce (optional)!.
Tabasco hot sauce, to taste!.
7-LAYER DIP
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans refried beans
1 small container salsa
1 bag shredded lettuce
24oz!. container sour cream
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 small canned sliced black olives
1 package shredded cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1!.) In a 9 x 13 pan, spread refried beans!.
2!.) Cover with salsa!.
3!.) Spread lettuce over salsa!.
4!.) Cover lettuce with sour cream (put heaping spoonfuls randomly on top of lettuce & carefully spread)!.
5!.) Sprinkle cheese on top of lettuce!.
6!.) Sprinkle onions over cheese
7!.) Top off with olives!.
Find more quick – simple – E-Z – few ingredient…!.recipes…at E-Z Cookin’ group:
http://groups!.yahoo!.com/group/e-zcookin/
Lots of interesting ‘stuff’ in files & links…come join & check it out!.
Pat in Indiana…!.
pmsbar2@att!.netWww@FoodAQ@Com
When I got married we had 3 long tables full of food!. We did it buffet style and let everyone fend for themselves!. We had a mexican theme menu!. There were tamales which are prepared the day before or even farther ahead and frozen!. there was fresh cooked beef that was sliced ahead and kept hot in the church kitchen!. A large tub of spanish rice and another of refried beans with a stack of hot tortillas!.
Whatever your ethnicity is you should be able to come up with something along these lines that will satistfy everyone!.
Remember you don't want to work during the ceremony and want time to visit with everyone!. The buffet thing takes care of itself!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Whatever your ethnicity is you should be able to come up with something along these lines that will satistfy everyone!.
Remember you don't want to work during the ceremony and want time to visit with everyone!. The buffet thing takes care of itself!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
how many courses do you want!? are you making them all, including dessert!? will you have someone serving appetizers before the dinner starts!? a litte more info please!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was thinking like maybe meatball in crock pot, lay out hoggie buns let them serve themselves!. Can be cooked frozen and the simmered in the pot!.
also what about finger foods, or veggy and fruit trays!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also what about finger foods, or veggy and fruit trays!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
buffet!? sit-down!? waitstaff!? plates prepared in kitchen by staff or by guests!?Www@FoodAQ@Com