dmmiller Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 I'm going to have some family down after xmas. And I'm needing some recipes for things I can make ahead of time, put in the fridge and then just bake off that day. I'm not set in stone with anything i'm thinking, so let the ideas flow. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose630 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Are you talking meals or appetizers or both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenh1973 Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 When we had guest like this over the summer. One thing that people raved over was a chicken sandwich on foccacia bread. Use boneless skinless chicken breast filet it and in a zip lock I put the chicken with olive oil crushed garlic, pepper and salt. You can either sear on the stove or bake in the oven. The foccacia rolls I bought at BJ's and kept in the freezer until the night before we were going to have the sandwich. Instead of using traditional toppings like mayo I made a pesto sauce (which can be made way in advance) I used pesto sauce and arugula (instead of lettuce). My toaster is a wide slot for bagels & I lightly toasted the bread. Even the kids (ages 10 to 15) ate every bite and it's really not that complicated. For an appetizer I made a creamy spinach dip pre cut pita bread into triangles. When it was time to serve I just heated up the dip (added a little more milk to thin it down) and browned the pita bread on the stove. For a snack I made cookie dough rolled them into balls & froze them then put in a zip lock. Just bake frozen, it will actually leave them crispy outside & moist inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmiller Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 Are you talking meals or appetizers or both?Sorry. I'm meaning for the meal mostly. I dont get much help in the kitchen, so I didnt want to be overwhelmed all at once atcrunch time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmiller Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 one more thing.. these are kinda picky eaters. They like meat & potatoes and pastas, but nothing too crazy. My MIL hates Cream of Mushroom.. so I'm kinda limited. And I DONT want to hear anymore remarks afterwards. augh. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noehlp Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 What about some cold salads? Homemade potato and pasta salad? Soups you could make a head of time, however I am no help in ideas of soup. Unless you do chilli. Chili is ALWAYS good on day #2, imo, better than the day it is made. I'll try to keep thinking I would think: Chili Crackers for just the chili Potato Salad Baked Beans (you can either put them in a dish a day ahead, or toss them in a nother crock pot, quick easy, just need stirred, some brown sugar and a tad of mustard) Tray of crackers and cheese Veggie Tray (dip, carrots, celery, olives, broccoli) Crackers for just the chili some kind of bar for desert or a pie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missyjane Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Lasagna How many days ahead are we talking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmiller Posted December 4, 2008 Author Share Posted December 4, 2008 Just the night/day before. just so I'm not so stressed that day that they're all here in my Living room Chili is an option, i'll have to keep that one in mine. keep em coming though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathGirl Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Beef stew would be good. You can chop everything ahead of time and brown the meat then cook everything in a crock pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noehlp Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 I've never eaten them, nor do I know how much they cost, but what about stuffed cornish hens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathGirl Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Ham is pretty easy to make ahead of time too. You could serve with mashed potatoes that you can make ahead of time and then reheat(I reheat them in the oven) and put together a green bean casserole, pop that in the fridge the night before and then pop it in the oven before dinner. You could even eat the ham cold, everyone can make their own sandwiches and you can have potato salad and fresh veggies as sides. Another idea is to buy some premade, precooked fried chicken from the grocery store. We like King Soopers (a Kroger company) fried chicken, we buy it cold, but you could buy it hot. When we buy it cold we bring it home and sprinkle some Cajun seasoning on it and pop it in the oven. Yummy!!! I hope all goes well with your visitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmiller Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 Oh you all make everything sound easy. :) I'm glad I asked. For some reason I was drawing a blank. SIL said just do pizza.. but that gets expensive buying for 15 people kwim? Plus I didnt want to do that anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dealluvr Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 how about sliced deli roast beef then get the gravy mix and put in the crock pot good with baked potoaoes and salad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfanamo Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 I say do a crockpot of chili, get a precooked ham, and make a huge batch of potato soup. Have cheese, bacon, chives for the soup. Have a couple of cornbread mixes (just add egg and milk) for the chili. Have bread and cheese for ham sandwiches...Eggs for ham omelets...some potatoes and fry ham and potatoes together... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmmiller Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 I say do a crockpot of chili, get a precooked ham, and make a huge batch of potato soup.Have cheese, bacon, chives for the soup.Have a couple of cornbread mixes (just add egg and milk) for the chili.Have bread and cheese for ham sandwiches...Eggs for ham omelets...some potatoes and fry ham and potatoes together...Dang.. with all that food, they arent gonna want to leave. LOL:rwb: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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