Kim

I am adopting a family for Thanksgivivng, and my office is going to help me. The family had 14 kids, but one of the teens just comitted suicide. So I need to figure out how much food I will need to gather for such a large family. Is anyone here used to cooking for so many, or have any ideas? TIA!

__________________
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes.
--Jack Handey Deep Thoughts

kimchicowboy

dude, that's so awesome kim! major props.

__________________
"I pick my nose too but never eat it." - bachviet, 3/30/04

if anyone wants to go scuba diving in oahu or wants to learn who to scuba dive in oahu, PM me.

GracieBayb

Actually, most Thanksgiving foods are perfect for a big crowd because - for example, if you wanted to make mashed potatoes for 4 people, it'd be about the same amount of effort to make it for 15. I'm notice you're from Utah... so I can't just drive over and give you a hand... but if you want to PM me... there are plenty of easy tips that the 5 women in my household share - we're big on Thanksgiving in my family And by the way, that is sooo awesome of you to participate in your community like this - you are totally the epitome of what Thanksgiving should be all about!!

nickel

what a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
one idea: gets friends/family to make pies and then you won't have to worry about dessert.

OC

Kim, you're a peach. I'll ping some of my more food-oriented people and see if I can get some helpful suggestions for you.

__________________
But what is adulthood except a delayed end-run around our parents' better judgment?
-- Peter Egan

*cough*

welfareloser

here's a great one that just takes lots and lots of chopping...

equal parts of chopped parsnips, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes

coat lightly with oil of your choice

sprinkle with herbs de provence (which is an amorphous mix that always contains lavender, thyme and rosemary, and may also contain basil, or anything else that strikes your fancy...)

bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes til tender, stirring occasionally (every 15 min or so)

it's good, it's healthful, people can help make it, and it's easy to make it in any quantity you need... figure on 1/2 cup - 1 cup per person.

in genral, buy lots of large, disposable aluminum baking trays... they're cheap and you can serve buffet style right out of them.

__________________
Find the person who will love you because of your differences and not in spite of them and you have found a lover for life. ~ Leo Buscaglia
http://www.welfareloser.com
http://gotapexblogs.net/users/welfareloser/

ray

My relatives here in LA get together every year for Thanksgiving. Last year we had 6 kids under 14 and about 14 adults and had two turkeys totaling nearly 20lbs. That was more than enough to feed everyone, since we also had a variety of potatoes, vegetables, yams and of course, chinese dishes.

Yossarian

cook for about 20, that'll also give them some leftovers. and kim, thats a great freakin idea.

my family of 15 gets together on t-giving as well. it great fun, and lots of freaking food. if you're making homemade stuffing, figure to use about 4 kings size loafs. if you're gonna make the food with the family, making homeade is also a grea tway to get kids involved. give them a few large bowls to put the bread in, and tell them to rip away. (also keeps them busy)

__________________
"So cheers all and remember, don't mistake my old age for maturity. Just because I grow old does not mean I grow up. " -Merlin

"Now that your limelight has been sufficently trashed I will leave"- Nija

Each religion has got their own way of making you feel like a victim. The Christians say 'you are a sinner', and you better just zip up your trousers and give the money to the pope and we'll give you a room up in the hotel in the sky.
~Timothy Leary

Jihforce

Kim you rock Very nice of you to do that for another family.

oblongmelon

*coughYOURANGcough*....
Ok..so since I never have LESS than 20 at my house on holidays for a sit down dinner I can assure you -this list will get that family through the holiday...

1 Turkey average size 23-26lbs (or the very largest you can find)
1 Smoked Ham (shank end only please)(send a bag of brown sugar and a can of cherry pie filling for a simple glaze)
2-10lb bags of potatoes
10lbs of sweet potatoes or yams (mashed will go farther, but peeled, sliced and roasted with a bit of olive oil, poultry seasoning,basil, salt and pepper works too)
depending on the age of the kids 4 large jars of applesauce-more if the kids are younger
2 bags of yellow delicious apples, 2 bags of ocean spray cranberries and 4 oranges, all chopped and mixed together with a cup of sugar for some tasty homemade cranberry relish.(don't peel apples-but peel and seed oranges)
2lbs white rice, 4 boxes frozen broccoli florets,3 cans cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans cheddar cheese soup,-partially cook rice then add it to rest of ingredients in large baking dish. dab with some butter and cook till brown and bubbly on top
Stuffing: 5 large loaves regular white bread, cubed and slightly dried, 6 rolls of jimmy dean pork sausage with sage,8 eggs,one entire head of celery, chopped, 6 large onions chopped. two large jars cinnamon applesauce, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Chop small the onions and the celery and saute until soft in a bit of butter-add sausage-and cook till sausage is done..drain off grease. In large pot-mix bread, eggs, sausage,celery,onions, and applesauce till moist and completely coated-add 1/2 box poultry seasoning..pre-bake in large pan. Use part to stuff bird if you like.
3 packages of dinner rolls-with 1lb of butter
Corn -8 cans 10 if you have younger children.
Fruit salad with mini marshmellows (5 cans fruit cocktail-drain syrup-add 3 large containers sour cream, 4 bags of mini marshmellows, 1 bag of coconut.
Pies pies pies...
pick up a bunch at sams, or give them pillsbury pie shells(6) and some stuff to make their own-pumpkin, cherry,lemon, chocolate, apples....
Soda, tea-bags, ice cream-with toppings, cool whip,chocolate sauce etc..
Grapes/red and white, and 3 bags of mixed nuts (with nutcracker)...
...don't forget a few extra loaves of bread for leftover sandwiches, Oh, and a jar of Mayo....
that should do it for a very basic but very nice dinner..I'd throw in some candy or something just for the ones with a sweet tooth who don't want pie.
Because the turkey and ham is always on sale at holiday time, you can pick those items up at less than 70 cents per pound usually-the rest of the stuff won't even cost 100 dollars total if you figure it out...then again-that is going by the cost in my area..
don't buy specialty stuff like -"stuffing" bread-use regular white bread-(I use white and wheat mixed), and if you have an Aldi store nearbye-the rest of the stuff is dirt cheap!...I always shop there first for the basics..

chrissy

Kim, are you cooking for them or looking for donations for a "food basket"?

blueindian

my family is doing this as well, but for christmas. we're all cooking something pot-luck style and bringing it to our christmas gathering. basically, everybody is just going to double what they are cooking and bring one for our faminly and one for the adopted family.

perhaps you could do the same thing with your office, and it would give you guys and excuse to have a pot luck..

__________________
yeah, pretty much we missed the boat on that one. but it's still here. get you some.