Side dishes you can make ahead?
My sister is doing a low-budget dinner for 130 people. She needs side dishes that can be made several days in advance. We have potato salad, greens, fruit salad, corn bread, lasagna. She's also serving a roasted goat. Any suggestions?
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7 Comments:
I think this menu looks great except for the lasagne, which doesn't seem to go with anything else. I'd lose the lasagne, add some coleslaw, a tomato salad (either raw or, if the tomatoes aren't ideal, the fantastic -- and made ahead -- tomato-and-pepper "tian" from "Cuisine of the Sun"), maybe a classic 3-bean salad or corn-and-black-bean salad with roasted red peppers. If you want another hot dish, I'm thinking something like fake jambalaya with seasoned rice, chicken, and sausage could take the place of the lasagne and fit better with the rest of the menu. Or what about a really good mac and cheese, maybe with some ham added? Everybody loves mac and cheese, and it seems to me to be a better fit than the lasagne with the kind of "classic American" feel of the rest of the meal. Okok, Roasted goat is maybe not so classic American. But it's classic Americas.
maggiesara at 1:43AM on 05/12/07
Rice dishes are easily made ahead and heated with a little added liquid before serving.
hereandthe at 8:09AM on 05/12/07
I am not sure why the lasagne either. I would have done ham for that many and then done a fettucine alfredo rendition that you could make in rounds and then keep filling in. Lasagne for 130 people is many issues. It will get cold, it can be messy, kids smear it all over themselves and everyone. Then
Tomato sauce for 130, bless your heart. There are no sides to lasagne but salad/antipasto, meatballs/sausage and hot bread.
Maybe you ought to rethink the logisitcs of that.
For 130 people you might think Turkey.
Ricotta cheese is not low budget. Tell her if she must have an italian thing to switch to baked ziti/rigatoni that is cheaper and easier to put together.
You do not need potato salad and pasta.
Please tell me this is not a wedding.
JerzeeTomato at 4:47PM on 05/12/07
I'd axe the lasagne as well. Roasted goat sounds great, you could probably do some sort of mediterranean side for that, like a minted orzo pasta salad with feta cheese or you could even mint the potato salad. If you want a casserole -LIKE- a lasagneI would do a vegetarian Mousakka, that actually tastes better refrigerated or freezed several days in advance.
As to rice dishes I suggest a Pilafi to go with the goat. Its even a wedding dish.
http://greekfood.about.com/od/greeksidedishes/r/weddingpilaf1.htm
jperlow at 4:26PM on 05/13/07
Rattatouille. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
RGR at 11:44AM on 05/14/07
thanks so much for these ideas!
jumpygrouch at 11:45AM on 05/14/07
I just thought of your question while making two "make-ahead" side dishes myself. Either would go well with roast goat.
A beet salad, made from fresh *or* canned (whole baby) beets - dressed with a light balsamic vinaigrette with a touch of extra sugar. How easy is that? Very. And very good.
And a chick-pea salad made from dried cooked *or* canned chick-peas tossed with a combo of minced green onions, celery, and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with a bit of slightly-mustard and herb-y vinaigrette.
Both can be served at room temp, no problem.
Karen Resta at 7:56PM on 05/14/07