80 people for Xmas dinner (adults and children) - any ideas about what I can make as sides ahead of time?

Question

I want to make as much as I can in the next couple of weeks and freeze it.

Answer 1

Twice Baked potatoes work well. Mix them and prepare them. Freeze them then pop them in the oven and there you go! Yummy!!! I would hold off any green onions and maybe garnish with them before serving.

Answer 2

How about this recipe for bruschetta? It's easy, looks pretty and can be served cold.

Buy loaves of Italian or any other long, skinny bread. Cut into very thin slices, dip into melted butter with fresh garlic or just lightly sprinkle with garlic salt. Lightly toast.

Recipe for topping:

Note: this is much easier with a food processor! If you don't have one, use a blender but only make small quantities at a time. Don't over-blend.

4 large, firm tomatoes or 8 roma tomatoes finely chopped
2 large onions, also finely chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon sweet basil
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. This is spooned over the garlic bread.

Want to make it fancier? Drizzle with balsamic syrup. Warning!!! This is horrible to make in an unventillated area!

To make balsamic syrup, buy a large bottle of balsamic vinegar at Sam's or Costco. This stuff is expensive elsewhere. Pour vinegar into large pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. You want to keep the vinegar warm enough to reduce the liquid. Stir occasionally until it becomes a fairly sweet, thin syrup. Arrange the garlic bread slices and drizzle over bread in a very thin stream.

Let guests spoon the tomato mixture over it. My guests go nuts over this.

Answer 3

I should think this would freeze well (although I haven't tried) :

Carrot and Parsnip Mash

6 carrots
2 parsnips
vegan margarine
freshly ground pepper
sea salt

Peel and chop the parsnips and carrots. Cook in boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain and mash with a generous knob of vegan margarine. Serve sprinkled with black pepper and salt.

Answer 4

You can fully prepare your mashed potatoes. Freeze in plastic bag.

Day before..remove from freezer. Put in bowl with bit of milk and butter in microwave. Like new.

A butternut squash casserole (many choices) can be frozen and popped into the oven to fully cook.

Purchase carrots that are already cut up in the crinkly way. Saves time and can eat fresh.

Anything that can be purchaed already peeled (ie squash, carrotts, etc) is worth the extra money for that many people.

Answer 5

80 people at this late of a date? You need to enlist some help and advice from others who are coming........ ask some of the older ladies who are attending and they will absolutly thrive on being asked because thats how it was done in the old days. It will make it much more homey and festive than if you tried to do everything alone.

Answer 6

Potatoes au gratin
Broccoli & cheese casserole.
Rice pilaf
Pasta salad (cold)
Antipasta
Green bean casserole
Use those small tabletop food warmers (sternos)

Answer 7

Strawberry short cake

Answer 8

Holy smokes, and I thought we had a crowd.

Answer 9

you can chop, dice, slice, minced all your vegetables and bag them....also it depends on what you going to cook your dinner

Answer 10

wow.. do any way suit your ability - Merry Chritmas and Happy New Year....