I am hosing a rather large (80-100 adults) at my house again this December. Looking for suggestions for food that I can prepare in a large batch that will sit well in chaffing dishes. Last year I did sausage peppers and onions, kielbasa and saurkraut, baked ziti - they were successful. I did another pasta dish - farfalle with alfredo sauce, one tray with chicken, one with shrimp - they turned to complete mush in the chaffing dish, so I need to find replacements for them. I will also have a variety of finger foods and salads, but I am looking for suggestions on "main course" items.
Thanks for your help!
Usually any type of meat with a sauce will do well in a chaffing dish. I usually make some type of meatballs (terriaki or bbq). How about some pulled pork ? or maybe cook a ham and slice it up?
Buffalo Wings:
- A few giant bags of frozen jointed chicken wings
- A LOT of paprika (worth buying it in a bulk section for a few bucks, vs $5 for a puny bottle)
- Salt
- Franks Buffalo Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, or left plain.
Defrost & rinse. Toss in large bowl with paprika to coat lightly (sprinkle liberally, stir, sprinkle, stir, etc). Lay out on cookie sheets, season with salt, & bake at 400 until 180 (not long, around 15-30 minutes depending). If they're not a beautiful dark brown, finish up for a minute or so under the broiler. Allow to cool and store in big ziplock bags until day of party. Day of party, warm up in oven at about 350 (on cookie sheet covered with tinfoil). Toss in sauce (buffalo or teriyaki) in a large bowl or leave plain.
They're great at room temp, but not so great cold. Hence the reheat.
For parties I usually split chicken into 1/3s. 1/3 buffalo, 1/3 teriyaki, 1/3 plain.
I would do italian meatballs and place them next to your sausage, peppers adn onions. Then you could place rolls there for sandwiches and it would work for either the meatballs or sausage. And ofcourse you could have parm cheese available as a topping. good luck and have fun!!!
I like to do smoked Turkeys and have the sliced.. Au gratin potatoes Crispy salad, crunchy rolls.. and lots of appetizers. Artichoke dip, Spinach dip, veggie tray, bruchette, stuffed mushrooms..
how about pulled pork sliders...you can use a slow cooker put little slider rolls with a bowl of cole slaw and hot sauce. its a hit with our friends and family just took it to a potluck wedding that had 80 people. you could also do pesto pasta(rottoni is always yummy) with corn, red pepper and black olives in it...good hot or room temp! have fun!
Perhaps a 'taco bar' -- put the taco meat in the chaffing dish and the lettuce/tomato/onion/cheese/sour cream/etc in separate dishes near it? Keep hard or soft shelled tacos in a warmer.
