Prep ahead
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Chop vegetables, marinate meats, and measure out ingredients the day before they are needed to give yourself a head start.
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Choose some dishes that can be partially cooked in advance and finished just before serving – such as lasagna. You can make the meat and the bechamel sauces the day before then just assemble and bake on the day.
Slow cookers
Slow cookers aren’t just for winter! They are handy for cooking large quantities with minimal effort – borrow extra appliances from friends depending on how many people you are catering for. Many dishes can be prepared in advance and kept warm in a slow cooker until serving.
Cook rice in the oven!
The ratio is 1 cup rice to 1 ¾ cups of boiling water. Simply place your rice in large baking dish, add the boiling water, salt, and a knob of butter and cover with foil (or a lid). Cook for about half an hour at 180C until all the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
Barbeque
Everyone loves a barbeque - put it to work and have a good old sausage sizzle. Poach your sausages in boiling water and keep in the fridge until you are ready (this can be done on the day or the day before). Then all you have to do is crisp them up on the BBQ . You don’t have to worry about them being undercooked and poisoning all your guests (not a good look!). Try our Brilliant Burgers with Onion Jam or BBQ Pork Ribs
Keep it simple
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Prepare a large platter of ready-made products. Dips, ham, salami, and cheese, along with crackers and bread will make for fabulous grazing.
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DIY speedy subs! Buy French bread sticks, slice lengthwise down the middle and fill with meat, cheese, salad (or speedily shred poached chicken breasts with an electric mixer and turn into chicken mayo). Then slice into smaller sections and pop on a platter.
Serve it buffet-style
Preparing individual plates of food can be time-consuming and exhausting when there are lots of people to cater for. Plan a menu that can be laid out in a big buffet so everyone can just help themselves. It’ll make for a relaxed atmosphere – and a relaxed chef at the helm (phew!).
Self-assembly!
Lay out all the items and let your guests put something together themselves (such as all the ingredients for tacos, burrito bowls or flatbreads/wraps) – then everyone can choose their own combo.
Breakfast or brunch
If you're having a get together for brekky or brunch:
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Poach eggs in muffin tins. Simply add a teaspoon of water to each section and crack in an egg. Add a bit of salt and pop in the oven until they are cooked just as you like them.
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Go one step further and cook breakfast in a muffin tin – spray each section with a bit of oil. Wrap a rasher of bacon around the inside. Break an egg into each section with the bacon and bake until the bacon is crispy, and the eggs are cooked. You could also add cherry tomatoes and/or mushroom slices.
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For toast in bulk, slice your favourite bread and lay on a baking tray. Place another tray on top and toast in a hot oven until the bread is golden brown – both sides are toasted at the same time!
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Make ahead Belgian waffles. Cook them the day before and store in an airtight container. On the day, simply pop them in the toaster or oven to crisp up. Easy peasy!
And finally, you don’t have to do it all yourself. If people ask whether they can bring something, let them.