Breakfast for a crowd

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:24:11 GMT

Funny friend of mine-its only the side porch but had to say something whitty!!!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (CajunKing)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:24:24 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by annpeeples

Today we only had two guests, so i made omelets the old fashoned way,Sauteed mushrooms, green peppers,onions, tomatoes from the garden,sausage from the local butcher, and of course a good sharp cheddar.Along with grape juice and toast, it was a lovely meal eaten out on the veranda.The big meal will be Thursday.Will keep you posted!

"CajunKing sticks his nose in the air and says in a snobby voice"

Oh Dahhhhhling Breakfast is served on the VerONNNNNda

Ann

joking aside sounds like an awesome breakfast

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:55:45 GMT

Sounds good,MGWerks.Oh the choices you have all provided!!!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (MGWerks)

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:15:11 GMT

I know it's a regional thing, but the choice is clear here. Whenever we have folks for breakfast, be it 10 or 30, the answer is - breakfast tacos. After an all-nighter around the campfire playing and singing (and imbibing), you need the solid refill you get from plain Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes.

A mainstay of the morning in South Texas, breakfast tacos are wildly popular and comsumed eagerly by all. At our place you'll find our spread to regularly include most of the following: scrambled eggs, sausage and eggs, chorizo and eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, flour tortillas, shredded cheese, refried beans, various salsas and hot sauces, ice cold milk and coffee.

Sometimes, we'll toss in sausage ranchera (delicious!), barbacoa (with the required corn tortillas and lime wedges), carne guisada, or another little treat. No one leaves our place hungry unless by a committed personal choice. It's a damned good thing I'm an early riser!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:41:37 GMT

Today we only had two guests, so i made omelets the old fashoned way,Sauteed mushrooms, green peppers,onions, tomatoes from the garden,sausage from the local butcher, and of course a good sharp cheddar.Along with grape juice and toast, it was a lovely meal eaten out on the veranda.The big meal will be Thursday.Will keep you posted!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:18:51 GMT

Believe it or not, events here in Milwaukee start tomorrow.All the dealers have major stuff going on.So I have some people arriving this weekend, and my cousins come in on Wednesday.The actual Harley event is scheduled at the lakefront from Thurs.thru Monday.New Harley museum, concerts-Bruce Springsteen,Kid Rock, etc...This city goes wild!!You will be getting a full report, and pics if i can manage it,during this time.Thanks to all for your input and interest.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (Foodbme)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:08:13 GMT

Anne,
When is this Breakfast Feast anyway??? and when will we get a report on the final menu, Huh???????

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (Foodbme)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:01:41 GMT

Originally posted by fabulousoyster

Ziploc in the microwave seems to be safe:

http://www.scjohnson.com/family/fam_pre_pre_news.asp?art_id=352[/quote

I FOUND THE SECRET TO COOKING OMLETS IN A BAG!![/
Glad Bags makes a food safe, microwavable cooking bag called 'Simply Cooking' that also works in a pot of water!!! It has a flat, pleated bottom that gives a real omlet shape to the egg mixture. I cooked it in a pot of water for 13 minutes as suggested by another poster, but that was a little too long for a single 3 egg omlet with bacon. Check out www.Glad.com/simplycooking The bags are in the ziploc section of your supermarket.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:59:30 GMT

You guys are all awesome!!!!!Thank you,thank you!!!!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (brittneal)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:41:04 GMT

We used to make 2 stratta's every sundy brunch. One would be veggie and the other meat. the varioatins are endless and the hold well for buffet.
britt

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (stricken_detective)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:10:34 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by annpeeples

Friedclamfanatic-great idea for the bacon!!Could you do sausage that way also?

I throw those in a slow cooker. Keeps them out of the way & hot until everyone is ready to eat.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (Foodbme)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:33:23 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by annpeeples

Friedclamfanatic-great idea for the bacon!!Could you do sausage that way also?

I''ve used this method but I put cake cooling racks in a cookie sheet, lay the bacon and stick in the oven. The Racks keep the bacon out of the grease and make for a less fatty piece of bacon. I use the same method for Sausage Patties and Sausage Breakfast Links.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:12:32 GMT

Friedclamfanatic-great idea for the bacon!!Could you do sausage that way also?

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (WarToad)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:52:20 GMT

A nice hash os some kind makes for a cheap filling yummy side. Pork, beef, corned beef, whatever.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (fabulousoyster)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:38:40 GMT

Ziploc in the microwave seems to be safe:

http://www.scjohnson.com/family/fam_pre_pre_news.asp?art_id=352

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (FriedClamFanatic)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:26:36 GMT

Ann:

If you decide to do Bacon, put them (doubled?) in a 9X13 baking pan and start in a cold oven set at 425. About the time the oven gets to be 425, they are almost done. I've put 3-4 pans in there for a big crowd and it always seems to work

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (spud)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:41:37 GMT

in a word: OMELETTES!

can be made superfast and filled with everything (I mean EVERTHING)under the sun to order.

Home fries are super easy to make and will hold on the line for quite awhile. Seasoning is very important here.

Bacon and sausage links will hold really well in steam pan too.

When I do a multiday event and do breakfast this is what I serve.

the basic American breakfast - always a winner.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (roossy90)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:39:57 GMT

Foodbme,

Um..........I wish not to bring old arguments back up.

Ann,
Check out those links I sent you a couple weeks back....

This one has larger crowd recipes on it.

http://www.thatsmyhome.com/

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (Foodbme)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:32:59 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by roossy90

The last time I reported on "Zip lock" Omelets with photos, it got pretty ugly and locked, and deleted..

WHY?

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (roossy90)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:30:46 GMT

The last time I reported on "Zip lock" Omelets with photos, it got pretty ugly and locked, and deleted..

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (John A)

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:26:40 GMT

We are waiting for the report and pictures Ann

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:31:18 GMT

My friend ancient one-thanks for the education.I plan on making things home made-I love your ideas....I just liked the idea of everyone making their own omelets-but frankly, I make GREAT omelets!!!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (stricken_detective)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:03:06 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Before you do the Ziploc Omelet google those words and you will find that there is a question about their toxicity. Ziploc states their bags were not meant to be boiled.

From the Ziploc website:

"In 2002, we became aware of an email that was being widely circulated, which warned consumers about the alleged dangers of using plastics in the microwave. This email claimed that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body, thereby increasing the risk of producing cancerous cells. We researched these claims and it is clear that the information is misleading, and unnecessarily alarms consumers.

Saran™ and Ziploc® products are 100% dioxin free. You also should be aware that dioxins can be formed only when chlorine is combined with extremely high temperatures, such as 1,500°F, which even the most powerful consumer microwave ovens are unable to produce."

^^Boiling water is only around 212°F. Certainly your omelets you've described will taste better (crispy browned edges) & look prettier (ziploc omelets are basically a log) but in the interest of time, they work nicely. We had them at Girl Scout sleepovers a few times, and for picky eaters you really can't beat this with a stick.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (the ancient mariner)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:36:01 GMT

Before you do the Ziploc Omelet google those words and you will find
that there is a question about their toxicity. Ziploc states their
bags were not meant to be boiled.

Over the years I have had more brunch parties than dinner parties
because I find them easier and more fun. No liquor or wine but
lots and lots of coffee make people more peppy. I don't use any prepared
items---I am the cook and I do it all from scratch---you can not show
off if you open bags of this and packages of that---your guests can do
that themselves at home. When they leave you want them talking about
your cooking prowess, not where to buy that pre-mixed stuff.

My mother, the chef, cooked all the breakfasts for clubs and groups in
our town---she was noted for them. I have copied her and improvised
as the years went by.

First have tons of coffee------almost all people love coffee in the AM
and have it ready when they show up. No waiting.

Make a big fruit salad with the fresh stuff in the market, whatever the
season----cut it up and put a little orange juice over it and a little
white wine for a kicker. Put that in the fridge to ferment about an hour
before the mob arrives. When they do---let them sit and help themselves
to coffee and the big bowl(nice glass one)of fruit. That gets the ball
rolling and everyone talking.

After the fruit is in the fridge I cook up bacon and sausages and put
them in the oven on very low heat. I put them on a cookie sheet with
paper towels under them to absorb the greese.

Then I make a big skillet of Corn Bread and put that in the oven to
keep warm too. I had that mixed up and ready to go from the night before.
When the mob arrives the house smells of fresh brewed coffee and corn
bread---you can't beat that with a stick.

Then I break the eggs for the omelets. The old French adage "You can't
make an omelet without breaking the eggs" is absolutely true. I figure
3 eggs per person. Mix them with a little water, salt and pepper and a
few dashs of tabasco. They are set aside and are ready to be ladeled out.

When I designed my kitchen I put the cooktop on an island facing the
dining table so that I never turn my back to my guests and I can talk
with them. I can also have them watch what I am doing and be amazed.

I have cut up and put into seperate dishes mushrooms, cheddar cheese, the
ingredients for spanish omelets and western omelets. Each guest takes a
pick and I have 3 hot omelet pans ready for the "piece de resistance".

The omelets only take a few seconds to cook and serve. Oh, I forget to
mention the homefries which I had made earlier and had warming in the oven.
So now the sausages, the bacon, the spuds, and the omelets (or if someone
prefers, the scrambled eggs) are on the table with the coffee and the corn
bread and everyone is happy and digging in---including me.

After that there is a big coffee cake I made the night before, and everyone
can sit around over more coffee and pat their fat bellies and shower me
with praise. It all takes planning and a little bit of time and effort, but
feeding 6/12 really works out easily. No booze, beer or wine---cheap party.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (CajunKing)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:30:43 GMT

Stricken & Ann

I like my bread for french toast a little stale, that way it soaks up the batter better.

I also let my soaked bread rest for a while in the fridge, then the french toast takes on an almost bread pudding consistency. YUMMERS

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:26:09 GMT

Wise advice indeed,Mark.We are all in our 40s and 50s, and dont eat as much as we used to.I have decided to keep it as simple as possible( things that are easy for me,like biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs,etc)although one morning I am going to try a baked french toast.
Thanks for the tip on the frozen biscuits!

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (doggydaddy)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:12:42 GMT

I've been trying to think about this, and many of these ideas are great. 10 people is a no brainer for me, yet I cannot give one real good suggestion.
I think that most Harley riders would rather eat a bowl of Fruit Loops before eating quiche, but a breakfast frittata would fit the bill.

I am a hash fan. A garbage plate casserole (hoppel poppel)could be easy too.
Bisquits and gravy is a no brainer. I suggest using the frozen Pillsbury biscuits, they are pretty good.
French toast casserole is always great. Two thoughts here, first make it extra eggy much like a custard bread pudding. Also if your supermarket has day old baked goods at half price, get some Danish with assorted flavors.

The truth is that it is best to keep it simple and not make as much as you think. You can only put so much food on a plate. If you have all your things lined up, then -maybe- you could cook up some scrambled eggs.

mark

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (ann peeples)

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:18:05 GMT

Both look excellent-think I will try the Monte cristo version 1st.Thanks to you and all who have offered great ideas.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (stricken_detective)

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:23:09 GMT

Ok Ann, these are awesome!!

Frenchish Toastish

* 12 slices of Wonder Bread or the squeezably soft equivalent. Sliced Italian or French bread is even better. Can be stale, but doesn't have to be.
* 12 eggs
* 2 tbsp. cream or half and half
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1/2 tsp. nutmeg (or not)
* margarine (can be low-fat) or softened butter
* PAM or the equivalent cooking spray, (or however you like to grease pans, haha)

Grease a 9" x 13" Pyrex casserole. Preheat oven to 350F. Or, you can skip the preheating if you plan to let this sit in the fridge overnight.

* Beat eggs, cream, vanilla, nutmeg and salt together. Lightly spread each of the 12 slices of bread on both sides with margarine. Dip in the egg mixture to coat and kinda sorta sink in. Arrange in two lengthwise rows in pan, overlapping slices. Pour any remaining egg over all. If you are doing the overnight thing, stop here, cover with foil or plastic wrap and put in the fridge overnight (longer than overnight NOT recommended). Bake at 350F for 35 minutes if you do it right away or around 45 minutes if you had it in the fridge overnight. Serve with maple syrup, melted butter, whatever you like with french toast.

Now, here's the twin of this recipe -- it involves ham and cheese but is essentially the same:

Lazy Monte Cristos

* 24 slices of Wonder Bread or the squeezably soft equivalent. Sliced Italian or French bread is even better. Can be stale, but doesn't have to be.
* 12 eggs
* 2 tbsp. cream or half and half
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 12 slices ham or turkey, or a lump of shaved ham or turkey for each sandwich, or 26 slices of cooked bacon, vegetarian or real-thing
* 12 slices of American cheese, Swiss cheese, Provolone, or whatever cheese you like
* Fines herbes (optional -- a few of you will know what I mean; for those of you who don't, go with dried parsley, or whatever you like.)
* margarine (can be low-fat) or softened butter
* PAM or the equivalent cooking spray, (or however you like to grease pans, haha)

Grease a 9" x 13" Pyrex casserole. Preheat oven to 350F. Or, you can skip the preheating if you plan to let this sit in the fridge overnight. Beat eggs, cream, and salt together. Lightly spread one side of each of the 24 slices of bread with margarine. Slap meat and cheese between 2 slices for each sandwich, unbuttered sides facing in. Arrange sandwiches in two lengthwise rows in pan, overlapping slices. Pour egg mixture over all. (Do this slowly, because with the margarine on the bread, the egg won't sink in right away, and it WILL go oozing merrily onto your clean countertop)

If you are doing the overnight thing, stop here, cover with foil or plastic wrap and put in the fridge overnight (longer than overnight NOT recommended). Sprinkle with fines herbes, parsley or whatever. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes if you do it right away or around 45 minutes if you had it in the fridge overnight. This is actually good with a side of maple syrup, also goes well with a simple green salad and/or fresh fruit salad.

^^Also optional to spread ranch dressing on the sides of the bread that don't have margarine. Mmmm.

RE: Breakfast for a crowd (mbrookes)

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:51:35 GMT

Remember to have a couple of different choices. Just as you watch carbs, some have food allergies or other kinds of food problems. I personally can't eat gluten, so that eleminates anything with bread or flour.

If there is a variety (Egg dish, meat, fruit) there should be something for everybody.