Can someone help with menu planning for a large gathering, please?

Question

My good friend's husband passed away and I am making the food for after the memorial service. There will be 20-25 people. I got a few suggestions from the family as to what they would like (deviled eggs and meatballs) and this is the menu I devised. I am guessing at how much to increase the recipes. Any help or suggestions on the food or the serving size would be appreciated!

Deviled Eggs - 36 eggs (for 72 total)

Barbecue Meatballs (~140 "cocktail-sized", pre-made, I'll make the sauce)

Weeping Salad (3 heads of lettuce, 2 heads cauliflower, 2 pounds bacon, homemade dressing)

Stuffed Mushrooms (3 quarts of mushrooms, 2 pounds sausage, 2 cups mozzarella cheese)

Taco Dip (2 cans refried beans, 2 pints sour cream, 1 large jar salsa, 2 cups cheese, veggies)

Rolls

2 trays blondies (like chocolate chip cookie brownies)

Chocolate cheese ball (16 oz. cream cheese, 1 c. butter, sugars and seasonings) with graham crackers, strawberries, and marshmallows

Thanks!

Answer 1

How about a cheese and cracker platter? About 3 differrent cheeses, same for the crackers and you can use tomatoes as well.

Or vege sticks and dips. carrots celery, raw cauliflour and brocolli is nice with dips, not to mention healthy.

Hope all goes well and condulances to the grieving family.... ecxcuse the spelling :)

Answer 2

It looks good, however; you are serving appetizers instead of a meal. Usually for a wake (post service) you would serve a main course....unless they only wanted appetizers?

And will there be children present? I know my kids wouldn't touch a stuffed mushroom with a ten foot pole (I didn't say they were bright LOL).

I would suggest adding some sandwiches to go with your very yummy looking appetizer menu...do you have a good recipe for chicken salad? You could make that and serve it on croissants.You may want to also consider doing ham or roast beef  with cheese for those who don't have a taste for it.

You are a really great friend to make the meal so special for her and her family during this difficult time!

Answer 3

You sound like a great friend.    It also sounds like you are going to be doing  A LOT of preparation.        

Your menu looks great.    Since it's not really a "sit down" dinner,  how will the guests easily eat the salad?       It might go untouched.    

You might try making some wrapped sandwiches.    Take flour tortillas, lay flat, add leaf lettuce or shredded lettuce, deli meat, roll up and slice in half or thirds.    Hold together with a toothpick.     You can use any variation you like for different sandwiches-including different flavored tortillas.    My favorite is to spread the tortilla with cream cheese, ham, chopped black olives and serve with salsa.     Another favorite is turkey breast, lettuce, ranch dressing and finely chopped tomato.     These roll up sandwiches are easy and cheap and can be made several different ways.   Plus, they are easy to hold and eat.     Kids ususally like them.  

How about pigs in a blanket.    Serve with different flavors of mustard.

Answer 4

you seem to have it all taken care of . sorry  about your friend husband

Answer 5

The world needs more CARING  and COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.  

I hope this helps you;-  suggested servings for 25 people

for a salad -

cabbage slaw   3  1/2 ozs per person    4lbs for

lettuce 1 - 2 leaves pp (less if your shred it)   2 large heads

tomato 3 slices pp   3lb

cucumber 4 slices  - 3 long green

sandwiches small  3 pp  - 2 x 2lb loaves

sandwiches large  4 pp  - 3 x 2lb loaves

Cakes

sponge cake 8"   1/12 portion   x 2 cakes

ring cake 8"   1/12 portion   x 2 cakes

slab cake  2" square portion   x 2 cakes  ( 7" x 11")

canapes (small savouries)  3 pp -  6 dozen

cheesecake  1/16 portion 2" deep  - 2 x 8" cakes

milk for tea  - 3/4 pint

frankfurts  2 pp - 4lb

Sorry I dont know what a weeping salad is.

To cut costs a little you could substitute some beans for the sausage in the stuffed mushrooms (just mash them up a bit and no one would know)

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family.

God bless.

Answer 6

you should serve food that's fulling so that you would know people wouldn't be hungry for sure...a cheesecake for dessert would be good =]

Answer 7

I think that it sounds great except that I would do something other than the rolls.  Maybe a stuffed bread - slice it in slices, then slice the other way.  Stuff with cheese and onions,  .  Drizzle melted butter mixed with seasoned salt and garlic powder and some dry mustard.  Wrap in foil and bake til hot.

Answer 8

Check out the website listed below for recipes for large crowds.  Even if you don't use any of the recipes, you might be able to compare for servings, etc.  Hope this helps.  I think what you have planned is just fine.  A nice variety.  All my sympathy and prayers for your friend.

Answer 9

For finger sandwiches you could get some sandwich fillings from the supermarket deli.  Finger sandwiches are fairly small and you don't have to spread a thick layer.  It will help save time, and will be cheaper than buying the individual ingredients.  you could have some thinly sliced deli meats.  I've made a mock pate-type sandwich spread with Braunschweiger, sour cream, and minced dried onion, garlic powder, and a dash of hot sauce.  

What a wonderful friend you're being.

Good luck!