Suggestions for cook-ahead food!

yaelinIN ↓

Tue, Jan 26 2010, 9:43 am

My husband's Rosh Yeshiva is coming to visit our small town to give a talk/shiur (I am so thrilled -- as frum Rabbis are few and far in between here in Yehupitz) on Sunday February 14th. We will be in Cincinnati right before this for Shabbos and will arrive home about 1-2 hours before the shiur. We will set up the house for the shiur before we go, but I have to figure out what I can make for a buffet dinner that will be served after the Rosh Yeshiva's talk. All the food needs to be able to make ahead of time so I can quickly warm it up. I'd prefer either fleishig or pareve (and I need a vegetarian entree as well). My brain seems to be mush, so I am turning to my Imamother sisters for help!!!

Tizku l'mitzvos,
Yael

kollel wife ↓

Tue, Jan 26 2010, 9:59 am

Chicken nuggets - bread in advance chicken cutlets cut into small pieces (I like mayonaisse & corn flake crumbs) and then bake in large trays. I have a recipe at home for seasame sauce (but not with me). Then once this is baked, leave in the fridge and warm up in the oven right before.

Mini meatballs - I also have a sweet sauce recipe but sorry not with me. You can cook or broil the meatballs and then have the meatballs & sauce prepared in a large pot to warm right away.

Any marinated salad can be made in advance - coleslaw, cucumber salad, macaroni salad, potatoe salad-I don't know how long that'll last

another salad - mixed colored peppers - red, green, yellow, red onion, (depending on budget add baby corn, mushrooms,canned green beans) with equal parts of sugar,oil & vinegar.

Knishes/Mini knishes - potatoe and/or potatoe/mushroom
Quiche - can be parve too.
Cold cut platters

solo

Sun, Jan 31 2010, 9:31 am

just came across this post and wonderd if u have a menu yet.
seeing as its gonna be buffet style, im assuming ull be serving 1 course + dessert.
here r some ideas I have:
salad: raw veg can be prepped and stored in ziploc bags 2-3 days. dressing can be done several days ahead as well.
1. israeli sald - just toss veg and dressing b4 serving
2. creamy dressed salad - I luv hearts of palm salad but ceasar or any other favorite will do. toss and dress b4 seving.
protein: poultry and chopped meat freeze well in sauces. roast freezes well. fish does not.
1. chicken - cooked in tomato sauce, or ur favorite, and frozen. bake to rewarm
or spiced chicken thigs - skin on, seasoned with lawrys or whatever u like. frozen raw. bake 2 -2.5 hr before serving.
or chicken chow mein - battered fried and frozen in sauce with peppers, sprouts, water chestnuts, or bamboo shoots. heat before serving.
2. I like the meatball idea -
or stuffed cabbage freezes well, but what a fuss to prepare.
or sliced roast. but what an expense
sides:
1. many kugels freeze well - apple, broccoli, potato, ill let u choose
2. slice zuccini into rounds, dice red pepper. toss in ziplock with oil and seasoning to coat. when ready to serve add salt and bake 350 for 30 min. this can be done with potatoes as well but will bake for 1 hr min. do not salt untill ready to bake.
desset:
1. cut fruit
2. cookies or cake.
3. tea or coffee?
also do u have neigbors whod be willing to help?
perhaps they can bring the salads and sides so u just have to reheat the mains.

↑ yaelinIN

Sun, Jan 31 2010, 6:14 pm

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

My family was talking about this topic over Shabbos Shaalos Seudos and they want me to make salmon in pastry (which can be made beforehand and refrigerated or frozen then baked) with a sauce, pesto and pasta, a hearty vegetable-bean soup, some salads and a cake or two. The main course went over very well for Shabbos dinner a couple of weeks ago, so I hope it will do so again that Sunday! I have the help of my kids but no one else in town (that's why we are so surprised and thrilled our RY is coming to our town!!!). I am used to making Shabbos for 30 people, so this should be pretty easy (famous last words)...

If you want to come to Indiana to hear R' Karlinsky speak, come on over. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Yael