Gravy's Cooking Thread

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Mrs. Gravy

Mrs. Gravy

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I'm trying to plan G's FUNeral. It's going to consist of family breakfast then relax then graveside stuff, then Open House Style party that one of my sisters is hosting for me (as G asked her to - because "they know how to throw a party").
Coming up with a menu though is a little funky. I'm thinking of the open house from like 1 to 8 or so on a Saturday in April. It would be easier to plan if I had even a clue as to how many people will be coming. I have a big family and we have a pretty big circle of friends. I'm thinking at the least 100 but there is a good likelihood of it being larger. I know Pizza is on the menu and I think G would like me to have BBQ. He was the smoke king in that realm, not me, though so I would either have to order it which is expensive for me for 100 people OR I could maybe do brisket though, I think he taught me that well enough OR have my B-I-L do it he got a super sweet smoker for Christmas...

Lots of snack type foods will be included but what do you guys think about some type of pastas (It is easy to do, can fill a roaster pan and stay warm through the day, adding a little extra sauce to keep it moist) let's say beef mostaccioli and maybe a chicken alfredo?

I am looking at getting kegs of Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat, G's fave 'regular' KC beer, some wine (nothing fancy - middle of the road easy to drink; I'm trying to play to the audience too), G's Panty Dropper Cocktails, and soft beverages too.

Would that be a party that sounds good to you? It will be very very very casual.

I am OPEN to suggestions.
Thanks.
 
lurkingdirk

lurkingdirk

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Sounds like a mighty fine party to me! You might consider some pasta salads that don't have to be warm - some are really delicious and can be made in advance so it's easy the day of the funeral.

Something else to consider, and people are squeamish about this, but I promise you it would be a success: Invite people to bring a plate of their favourite hors d'oeuvres. People like to feel they are contributing at a funeral. I'm not suggesting you tell people the whole party is on them, but let it be know that you'll be providing food, and people are welcome to bring their favourites. You'll be amazed what shows up, and how gratified people are to contribute.

That's merely a suggestion.

Other than that, find crock pot things, and things you can warm in the oven as the day goes on.

In any case, please make it as easy as you can for yourself. You're obviously strong, and no doubt you're entirely in control, but it's going to be an emotional day, and you need to take care of you.
 
BrutulTM

BrutulTM

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I like the idea of having your brother in law do the BBQ. It just doesn't seem right for you to have to play hostess too hard at your husband's funeral and he would probably like an excuse to use the new smoker as well as to be able to help with the funeral. A lot of funerals around here are pot luck as well but if you're not in a community that does that kind of thing it might not turn out too well.
 
Ao-

Ao-

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BrutulTM_sl said:
I like the idea of having your brother in law do the BBQ. It just doesn't seem right for you to have to play hostess too hard at your husband's funeral and he would probably like an excuse to use the new smoker as well as to be able to help with the funeral. A lot of funerals around here are pot luck as well but if you're not in a community that does that kind of thing it might not turn out too well.
Click to expand...
Every part of this post. Upper Midwest is always pot luck for funerals, and let your sisters' put the FUN in funeral. My family's tradition is a rather quiet ceremony, a small meal, and then everyone drinks at someone's house or at the bar until they're good and shithoused.
 
Mrs. Gravy

Mrs. Gravy

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I don't know that I am all that strong; I have daily meltdowns, am remarkably behind at work (from whence I just came after an almost 13 hour day - I am fried) and could stand to deep clean my house.

I do have three fantastic sisters and their husbands (the one with the smoker I have known since grade school) will totally help. So I do believe I will ask him to smoke me some meat!
Normally, with a church funeral, there would be a pot luck put on by the church funeral committee, but G wasn't a churchgoer and his views on this is adequately expressed in the Religion thread so I don't want to ask the guests to bring a dish - they all would, but G didn't want that. My family will help me cook (we like to do this) and shop and put it all together. I figure I won't get to throw him a 50th birthday party so I can plan this for him. There will be more food than can be eaten because that is how we operate in my family. Invite 100, plan for 200.

Thanks - I will take your advice, ask for help and let you know how it went.
Again - I see so much why he liked it "here". You are wonderful people.
 
Erronius

Erronius

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So the Fast Food thread derailed into a discussion over lasagna fillings.

Cottage cheese? Cheddar? Sausage vs Ground Beef vs Pepperoni? Discuss.
 
Deathwing

Deathwing

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In the traditional flavor profile of a lasagna, cottage cheese has the wrong texture and cheddar's flavor clashes. Pepperoni's flavor is probably fine, but it's so weird in that dish, people will likely outright reject it anyway. Sausage, crumbled correctly, is just ground beef that tastes better and every lasagna needs some meat for texture contrast, so sausage it is.

Now, in the realm of just stacked noodles/carbohydrates(crepes make a great lasagna noodle replacement), you could probably use any of those ingredients. Cheddar is great in mexican lasagna. Cottage cheese might even work if you find something to pair with it texturally. Maybe corn tortillas?

I just don't see the point of ground beef unless no sausage flavor fit or you're build something from that ground beef, like meatballs or burgers, and the sausage would get in the way.
 
Ichu

Ichu

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Half hot Italian sausage and half ground chuck cooked up in a nice seasoned tomato sauce that has simmered with some bones. Some funkier cheeses like cave aged gruyere and romano. Bechamel with bay leaf, pepper, mustard powder and Worcestershire sauce for the creaminess.

Just doing ground beef with mozzarella and cheddar is nonsense.
 
Rezz

Rezz

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Protip on lasagna: don't use shredded long fiber cuts, like chicken/turkey breast/thigh or most cuts of beef. The process of cutting and serving will absolutely destroy your presentation. Either small dice it or use ground.

Also, vegetarian lasagna can be pretty amazing if you use decent amounts of basil and spinach (bonus points for pesto sauce involved within layers) in place of the meat product. It will rely on your sauces a bit more, but can still easily be a major hit. I like both styles, but they take a little different approach comparatively.
 
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