What’s the lowest lift highest impact dinner I can make for 14ppl on a weeknight? Thank you!

Question

chiarabelle · Answer

Platters of dumplings: Ok it’s kind of cheating but for a crowd we like to order a million dumplings and call it a Dumpling Party. So yes, it’s not like a real meal but everyone deserves a chance every now and then to just gorge on dumplings. They’re cheap and everyone loves them. I’ll also make rice and sautee a giant pan of baby bok choy with a little garlic, ginger and a splash of soy. Finish with fortune cookies for dessert and scream “IN BED” like a middle schooler after you read yours out loud.

Meara Daly · Answer

Nutmeg roast chicken from the River Cafe cookbook: By far the best & easiest roast chicken I’ve ever made. Rub a whole chicken with lemon. Season it with kosher salt, pepper & fresh grated nutmeg inside & out. Stuff 4 pieces if prosciutto into the cavity. Roast breast down for 1.5 hrs at 375, add 1/2 cup white wine after 30 mins. Turn chicken breast side up for the last 20 minutes (and baste).

DeAnna · Answer

sheet pan pizza: was i initially frightened by the amount of oil? yes. historically, have i been on a thin crust high horse? also yes. was this pizza incredibly easy and delicious? fuck yes.

JZ · Answer

Kenji’s Cuban-Style Roast Pork Shoulder: This is not everyone’s idea of “low lift” but if you can be around home it’s actually super easy! (A lot of passive time)

I make it in a Dutch oven so the only work to do after it starts is removing the lid and turning up the heat

It produces a ton of meat and then there are so many ways easy you can serve it! We usually do simple tacos with chopped onion, cilantro, salsa, cheese, lime 🤩

Emma Rae · Answer

Viral Chuck Roast (3 Ingredients): This is literally meat, salt, and pepper. Serve as a taco bar or with polenta, potatoes, and carrots. Whatever you please! Crowd favorite

Miranda Bennett · Answer

The Pre-Made Lasagna Dinner from North Italia: This is a total cheat, but if you live near a North Italia restaurant location (pretty sure they are national?) they have a lasagna dinner you can order for $60 that has an insanely delicious braised short rib lasagna, fam sized Cesar salad, garlic bread, and tiramisu. For 14 you may need to supplement the salad and dessert.

You bake the lasagna yourself, so budget an hour. Your kitchen will smell delicious even though you didn’t have to do anything but turn on the oven :)

This has also become my go-to for meal trains.

Lindsey Millikan · Answer

Roasted Salmon: It’s pretty hands off especially if needing to focus on hosting. Season the salmon how you like, bake, finish with fresh dill and lemon. Some low effort sides like a nice rice medley situation, broccoli or asparagus (that could also be roasting in the same oven), or potatoes or angel hair pasta all go well.

Mike Troiano · Answer

Bad Girl Pasta: There is nothing easier to have on hand, faster to make, or better to eat. Whores know what’s up.

Kristi · Answer

Japanese curry: With beef or chicken — yum!

Paloma · Answer

Sausage at Dinner Parties: is one of my hosting short-cuts. I love to have people over for dinner but I hate chopping and I hate making my kitchen all hot. I go to McCall's in Atwater Village and get two or three different types of sausages to grill outside. Then I get a baguette and two or three fun spreads. Then I tell one of my guests to bring a salad, another to bring dessert, and another to bring a bottle of wine. I call this the "lazy host special."

Noelle · Answer

Momofuku Bo Ssam Recipe (NYT gift link): I love a braised or low and slow meat situation for a party. They can be so impressive on flavor while not being very high maintenance right before ppl arrive. This Bo ssam is easy and fun, and if you have a rice cooker, you can do all the heavy lifting early. The only thing to do right before eating is crisp up the top. Go wild with condiments and kimchis and pickles!

Pam · Answer

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/kale-caesar-salad/: KALE,SWEET POTATO, CHICK PEAS, AVOCADO (add protein):

This is a delicious combination of flavors. Make the dressing the night before. It comes together so easily and you can add chicken or salmon. Double the recipe. For sure double the dressing- you want to have it on hand, it’s the best dressing ever.

Julia · Answer

Baked potato bar!: A chef friend recommended this when I panic texted her about what to feed my extended family the night before a holiday. I didn’t want to cook a big fancy meal two nights in a row. Everyone went crazy for it. You can do most of the toppings prep the day before. She said if you feel like you need to offer more you can do chili as one of the toppings.

amy hagedorn · Answer

Julia Turshen's Korean Clambake from Small Victories: complete crowd pleaser that is mostly just putting things in a pot! cover the table with newspaper and eat with your hands :)

Lindsay · Answer

Pulled pork sandwiches or crockpot chicken tacos/bowls!: Throw chicken in the crockpot, add taco seasoning and a jar of salsa. Walk away for a few hours and it’s done! So easy and rave reviews.

Tori · Answer

Chili bar: A crock pot of chili (or two if you need one veg and one meat) then offer a bunch of mixin’s that people can add if they’d like to 💗 perf for cozy season. A sister to this idea is the hot potato bar.

Amy · Answer

A Very Good Lasagna (Alison Roman): This can take a long time, or you can take some shortcuts to make it quicker. You can buy some good sauce instead of making your own, and even bake the lasagna a few days in advance! It is very delicious!

Evan McAvenia · Answer

perfect party food: it's not the hippest, or the sexiest, but it is a cookbookshelf staple. my mom gave me a copy when i moved into my first apt and was hosting my first party. i remember flipping through it with her when i was growing up and there are so many good tips and tricks from "the do ahead diva"

Evan McAvenia · Answer

greek lemon chicken and potatoes: easy recipe to make en masse and total crowd pleaser. do it with a simple green salad and you’re good to go.

Cate Hurwit · Answer

Gochujang Potato Stew: Crazy delicious—make it with the butter, 1 tbsp honey instead of 1 tsp, and mushroom broth. So easy to scale up, serve it with rice and let people go nuts