[jebba]

<p>On June 16, my family is coming to visit.  They will all be staying in the house.  It's my mom and dad, my brother and his wife, his 3 kids (all teens), my sister and her husband, her two kids (ages 11 and 9) and my adult sister.  So there will be 16 of us in all.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think I have figured out the complicated logic problem regarding where everyone is going to sleep.  Now I am trying to figure out food.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What are some ideas for large family meals?  I only have a regular sized refrigerator.  My brother is bringing a couple of ice chests.  They will be in town Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday, leaving monday.  One night my dad wants to take us all out to dinner.  Another night I figured we could grill burgers and whatnot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure what to plan for lunches, the other dinners, breakfast, etc.  In the past, when we did the family visit at my sister's house, we all added money to cup and folks would take turns shopping for the next meals.  I'd like to avoid having to go shopping every day, but that might be necessary just because of space.  I'd like to stay relatively healthy.  What about snacks?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130704773503115"><img alt="shock.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130704773503114" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/shock.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>That's a heck of a crowd, and there is something off with the expectation that you'll have to feed them all.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That said, do you have enough freezer space to get a start on some meals that you could freeze? Chili, Spaghetti sauce, stew, that sort of thing?</p>
<p>Also, sandwich fixing like egg salad can keep if you make them ahead too.</p>

 

[merigayle]

<p>Baked ziti, salad and bread?</p>
<p>PB&J </p>
<p>pasta salad, bean salad, etc</p>
<p> </p>

 

[jebba]

<p>Grizz, in the past, my sister's house was the home base.  We'd all put cash in a cup in the kitchen, and folks would take turns using the kitchen money to get fixin's for meals.  We rotate who cooks, who sets up, who cleans afterward, who keeps the little ones entertained during meal prep, etc.</p>

 

[merigayle]

<p>snacks-- veggies and dip, fruit, hummus and chips, yogurt</p>
<p> </p>
<p>you may need to visit a Costco!</p>

 

[jebba]

<p>Without a doubt, meri!</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>And the cash in a cup won't work this time around?</p>

 

[jebba]

<p>It will.  I just wanted food ideas in advance.</p>

 

[wherestheportojohn]

<p>WOW, jebba!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck with finding ways to feed and entertain the troops.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Meri had lots of good ideas. (Casseroles like ziti and lasagna are good, even in the summer.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Easy-to-get-at veggies& fruits are nice to have around too:</p>
<p>baby carrots</p>
<p>celery sticks</p>
<p>cherry tomatoes</p>
<p>bananas</p>
<p>apples</p>
<p>grapes</p>
<p>clementines</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there's always carry-out pizza or chinese, if nobody wants to cook.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm impressed that you're housing everyone!! <span><img alt="icon_salut.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_salut.gif" style="width:23px;height:18px;"></span> (I'd ask them to go to local motels....heck, at least there are pools for the kids to blow of some steam)</p>

 

[GaReb770]

<p>For breakfast I would only plan one cooked meal with eggs, bacon and whatnot.  For the other mornings, I would have a couple boxes of cereals and milk for them to eat.  Keeps it nice and simple.</p>

 

[jebba]

<p>Good advice, guys.  Thanks!</p>

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

<p>The Boy Scouts make a  casserole call Taco Bake that feeds an army ( which is what your group sounds like!)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> BIG casserole pan or maybe 2  9x13's layer in the tortilla, meat and sauce cheese.. do this 3 -4 times deeper if in adeep casserole. Cook at about 350.. with a salad you're all set.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> I love to make Minestrone soup with bread for a big crowd.  It is nutritious and filling and you can make a huge pot easily.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Great ideas Patrice.  What about taco salad though?  Lettuce in a bag, do up the meat, get some beans, let cool and toss together with tomatoes..  Thousand Islands works!  Serious.</p>

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

<p> Okay - but definitely with Ranch dressing ! Yummy !  ( tomorrow lunch is leftover taco bake meat on salad..  with a touch of  ranch dressing...... )</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Oh I forgot the crushed tortilla chips... </p>