Shopping for Specials for a Large Party

Shopping for specials for a large crowd event is not as daunting as it may seem. Plan ahead by making a thorough list of what you need to purchase with the dinner planner that you created when you first began with the idea of having a party. With the written planner you should have all the information you need at hand for your cooking for a crowd recipes.

Never go shopping for specials without a complete list made out for your large crowd event. Recheck your list; it should have every item that you will need for your meal for a crowd. This list should also include any paper products. Even though I prefer china and cloth napkins for dinners, buffets and special occasions, it might be necessary for you to use paper items. If so, everything should be on your list. If you are going to be using foil or other wraps, list it.

If you are going to be serving appetizers for a crowd all the ingredients should be on your list. The same goes for salads for a crowd and desserts for a crowd. When cooking for a crowd, the list of ingredients rises quickly and this means “money”. One thing I have found very handy when I give a party is estimating the actual dollar amount before I ever start my shopping for specials. This is not that hard to do when checking the advertisements and making my phone calls. You would be surprised at how close you can come by estimating.

Knowing how to shop for specials wisely can save a lot of money; especially when cooking for a large party. Start by looking for bargains from the local newspaper advertisements. Before visiting your grocery store call the manager and ask if there are any specials. There might be some unadvertised store specials or if the manager knows you are looking, he might want to clear some items out. Local farmers markets usually have great produce at much better prices so check these out. Sometimes the local meat markets might offer better prices on meat. Make all your calls and take notes; do all this from home and save the gas.

As I have often said, “have all your ducks in a row “before heading out to grocery shop. Have on your list what you are going to buy, how much you are going to buy and where you are going to buy it. This will save you time, money and much frustration. The following is a list of items you might need for your party or dinner. It is for 25 people; multiply or deduct for your group size.

Basic Shopping FOR 25 SERVINGS

RECIPE FOR MACARONI AND CHEESE (about 72 servings)

When shopping for specials for crowd size recipes, a recipe for macaroni and cheese will always turn up. This is a favorite dish of many people. This is a very large recipe and for the economical side you can cut back on meat or even eliminate it if necessary from the meal.

• 1 ½ Cups butter
  
• 3 Cups flour
  
• 4 Tablespoons salt
  
• 2 Tablespoons dry mustard
  
• 1 Tablespoon black pepper
  
• 7 1/2 Quarts milk
  
• 6 Pounds grated sharp Cheddar cheese
  
• 7 ½ Pounds elbow macaroni (cooked according to package directions and drained)
  
• 3 Cups fresh bread crumbs
  
• Additional butter to dot bread crumbs
  
  

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
In large kettle melt 1 ½ cups butter over low heat; stir in flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth.
Remove kettle from heat and gradually stir in milk until smooth.
Place back on medium heat and stirring constantly cook until thickened about 10 minutes.
Stir in ¾ of the grated cheese until melted.
Put cooked macaroni in large greased baking pans; pour cheese mixture over the top and mix well.
Mix remaining cheese with bread crumbs; sprinkle over top of casseroles.
Dot tops with butter; bake for 25 minutes or until topping in lightly browned.

SPICY SAUSAGE CASSEROLE RECIPE

When shopping for specials to make a crowd size brunch recipe, try this simple recipe. To save more money the biscuit baking mix can be made instead of purchasing.

• 6 Pounds hot ground sausage
  
• 2 Medium chopped onions
  
• 4 Beaten eggs
  
• 1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 2 Cups grated Swiss cheese
  
• 8 Cups biscuit baking mix
  
• 2 Cups milk
  
• 2 Cups mayonnaise
  
  

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Sauté sausage; drain, move to another pan and let cool.
Sauté onions in small amount of sausage fat until tender; move to sausage pan.
Blend eggs and cheeses together and add to sausage onion mixture.
In a large bowl combine baking mix, milk and mayonnaise.
Spread ½ of the dough equally between 2 10 X 15 inch baking pans.
Spread sausage mixture evenly on top of dough in pans.
Blot remaining dough equally on top of sausage mixture in both pans; flatten with fingers.
Bake each one individually for 30 minutes.
Makes 32 to 34 servings. NOTE: These can be made ahead and frozen.

BAKED CORN CASSEROLE RECIPE FOR A CROWD (feeds about 30)

Another great economical recipe when shopping for specials to prepare a crowd size recipe.

• 1 Cup chopped onion
  
• 1 Cup chopped green pepper
  
• 1 Cup butter
  
• 2 Small packages corn muffin mix
  
• 2 Cans whole kernel corn (do not drain)
  
• 2 Cans cream style corn
  
• 4 Beaten eggs
  
• 2 Cups sour cream
  
• 2 Teaspoons salt
  
• 8 Ounces shredded cheese (I like spicy jalapeno flavored)
  
  

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Sauté onions and green peppers in butter; combine all ingredients except cheese.
Divide mixture evenly in 2 greased baking pans 9 X 13 inches each.
Bake for 1 hour; sprinkle cheese on top of hot casseroles.

More Great Crowd Size Recipes

Go to Painless Cooking Home Page from Shopping for Specials