Three generations will be gathering for 5 days over the holidays and I’m now in charge of the meal planning. I could use some inspiration.
The details that complicate things:
- 12 people from age 9 to 88
- I will need to drive all the food up to Maine (from Boston) ~ 3 hours away
- This will include Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners (and the 80 year olds are very traditional for those meals - think big roast piece of meat, vegetable, and a starch - deviations for those won’t be appreciated I don’t think)
- This is a big family gathering so if things require too much prep time, I will just live in the kitchen because we all need to eat breakfast and lunch too - and clean up in-between
- I won’t be doing everything alone - my brothers are both competent in the kitchen and all the middle generation helps clean up
- Somewhat limited Fridge/Freezer space, so have to just be conscious of that
- No real food allergies/issues, but it has to be somewhat accessible for kids (and 80 year olds
)
So I’m thinking “fresh” food for the first three meals (through Christmas) and then 2 meals that maybe I can do ahead, freeze, and then just cook/bake off up there. That way things can move from the freezer to the fridge as the week goes along.
So does anyone have any great ideas that come to mind or that you do for a larger crowd without spending all day in the kitchen - can be dinners, sides, or lunches really - we’ll be having them all LOL? The recent thread on baked ziti does make that seem like a good option that I have on the ideas list . . . .
