Memorial Day is right around the corner. This is also the time of year for graduations, weddings and reunions. Everyone operates on a budget. Some budgets might be larger;
However, we all have to plan according to our resources. I get so many questions on portion control and how to feed a large crowd that I thought I would share my expertise. It is really just common sense. If you are anticipating 100 people, you will need to plan accordingly. I usually recommend boneless meat 8 ounces per person. If there are a lot of women and children you may want to pare that down to 5 to 6 ounces per person. If there are a lot of teenage boys you may not be able to cook enough meat to satisfy them. Don’t panic! They will survive.
One great food idea for events with 50 or more people is pulled pork. You can make this ahead and truly enjoy the party. It also freezes well so you won’t have to be concerned with leftovers. Hamburgers and hot dogs are not only economical they are always a big hit. If you have a friend that will man the grill this is a great option. If you are hosting the event you do not want to be on the grill. You can cook these up, put them in foil pans with a lid, and keep with warm. Uncooked hamburger patties and hot dogs can be frozen for cookouts all summer long.
If you are making hamburgers or pulled pork, instead of buying regular size hamburger buns, buy “slider” buns. Cut the hamburger patties in 2. The petite appetites may only want a small sandwich and the bigger appetites can have 2 or 3 sandwiches.
I don’t have magical answers; However, just talking to someone who has helped many families put on similar events instills calm in the most fearful rookies.
If you really want to enjoy your event, you can have individuals who come right to your home with a cooker and smoke brisket, pork butts or even a whole pig. For those of you brave enough to do your own event I am sharing a recipe for pulled pork that should feed 60 people.
Pulled Pork (for 60 people)
Ingredients:
20 pounds of untrimmed pork butts
8 TBLS Sherman Provision Smokey Barbeque Rub
1 Gallon of Barbeque Sauce
Step 1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees. You can also use an electric roaster pan for this recipe. Rub the pork butts with Sherman Provision Smokey Barbeque Rub Place the pork butts in the roasting pans with lids (or the electric roaster) Cook for 9 to 10 hours. (pork will be fork tender) Allow meat to cool and remove from the bone
Step 2 Reduce oven to 225 degrees (or roaster oven to 225 degrees) Put the meat back in the pan (or roaster) Pour half of the Barbeque Sauce over the meat Shred the pork with a fork and cook an additional 1 to 2 hours. You will have extra sauce to put in the pork or to serve on the side.
Don’t panic, whatever your budget, I would be glad to offer you assistance with your event. Feel free to e-mail me at info@shermanprovision.com or call me at 330.825.2711.
Until next time…From our Butcher Block to your Table.
