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You could make Microwave Risotto, Microwave individual brownies in coffee mugs and Crockpot Pulled Pork.

In the winter it's difficult to BBQ outside, but you can still have a delicious substitute indoors. Just slowcook a pork butt (also called pork shoulder) in your crockpot and make pulled pork. Here's how:

4-lb bone in pork butt (also called pork shoulder)
2 Tbs yellow mustard
2 Tbs of your favorite BBQ Rub

Coat a 4-lb pork shoulder with yellow mustard and then coat with your favorite dry BBQ rub. Don't add any liquid to the crockpot. The pork butt will create several cups of its own broth.
I use a meat thermometer to check and cook the pork until it reaches 205-F center internal temperature. This insures that the pork will be tender. Another way of telling if the pork butt is done is when the bone comes out easily when gently pulled with tongs. I usually cook a 4-lb pork butt about 4 to 6 hours, covered, on high in the crockpot.

I then use our Kitchenaid mixer to pull the pork. Just place the pork, cut into 2 or 3 inch sized chunks, in the mixer and run at medium speed using the mixing paddle. After about 30-seconds you will have perfectly pulled pork. Add some of the pork broth from the crockpot to add flavor and a little moisture to the pulled pork as it's mixing.

Serve on buns with your favorite BBQ sauce and coleslaw.

Here's my homemade BBQ rub. It's my adaptation of Ray Lampe's Big Time BBQ Rub.

1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (substitute more brown sugar if you can't find turbinado)
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper (reduce amount to 1/2 tsp for a milder rub)
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (reduce amount to 1/4 tsp for a milder rub)
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine ingredients in bowl, mix well. Rub a tablespoon or two on pork, chicken or beef before cooking.

Makes about 2-cups. Store unused rub in an airtight container.


Here's my favorite homemade Hickory flavor BBQ sauce:

1 Cup Ketchup
1 Tablespoon prepared Yellow Mustard
6 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
3 Tablespoons Distilled White Vinegar
4 teaspoons Hickory Flavor Liquid Smoke
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar
1 teaspoon Table Salt
1/4 teaspoon Louisiana style Red Pepper Hot Sauce
4 Tablespoons Butter
3 Tablespoons Yellow Onion, finely minced

Combine all ingredients in a 2-qt sauce pan. Mix well.
Simmer over very low heat for 15-minutes, stirring occasionally. Store unused sauce in fridge.

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One Minute Microwave Chocolate Brownie in a Coffee Mug

In a 12 oz microwaveable coffee mug, mix

2 Tbs water
2 Tbs melted butter, margarine or cooking oil
4 Tbs granulated Sugar
2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
4 Tbs all purpose flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
dash of salt

Mix well with fork. Level out batter in bottom of cup.
Microwave for 65 to 70 seconds in a 1500 watt microwave.
Enjoy with a spoon. Careful brownie will be hot.

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Microwave Risotto Rice Recipe
SERVES 6

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup arborio rice (or Calrose type rice)
4 cups chicken broth
3-5 saffron strands
salt and pepper
grated parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Heat butter and oil in pie dish, uncovered for 2 minutes on hi.
2. Add onion, stir, cook for 4 minutes on hi.
3. Stir in rice to coat, cook 4 minutes on hi.
4. Mix saffron into broth, add to rice, cook on hi for 9 minutes.
5. stir and cook on hi for 9 minutes more.
6. Let sit for a few mins, add salt, pepper and cheese.

since u got some great bar-b-q sauce recipies try putting some boneless chicken in a crock pot (u can cut them in half) pour the bar-b-q sauce over them thenlet cook for about6 hours rice goes well with them

Invest in the crock pots. Rival has units with 3 crock pots separated. They will help you cook for a crowd and keep prepared foods warm.

Buy frozen meatballs,  would fill 2 large crock pots for 20 pp. Cover each pot with a large can of cream of mushroom soup undiluted, a splash of milk and a package of fresh sliced mushrooms to each pot, stir together and cook on low 8 - 9 hours  and use the propane to boil water and make  boil in the bag rice (as many boxes that you need serving wise, than an extra box for big eatters (leftover rice will help you for another meal that might be a soup or cassarole. (Same when you make potatoes cook enough for 2 meals.) Serve meatballs and gravy over rice with a toss salad.

Also get a Boy Scout Cook Book. You will get a lot of great ideas there.

Also buy ham steaks they are already cooked so just need to be grilled or pan fried to heat through, I would buy 6- 7 for 20 pp. Heat them up or cut them in to portion sizes and stack in crock pots and pour a can of crushed pineapple with juice in each crock pot heat on low,  5 - 8 hours, serve with store bought Pot salad and heated can beans.

Kilbasa and Kraut. amount to buy depends on size of kilbasa, 1 large can of kraut per crock pot. I would figure about 5"  of link per serving plus an extra link figuring on bigger eatters. Rinse cans of kraut in strainer with cold water to get rid of the really tart taste. Cut up 1 onion per pot and dice a green pepper in each pot. Cut links into serving sizes. Cook on low 5 - 7 hours. Serve with  boiled potatoes and raw carrots and celery

It depends how large your crock pot is, but you can try mostachioli with either meatballs (precooked) or cut up sausages.

I've done this in a larger Nesco and have fed about 30 people.

Cooked noodles

Spaghetti Sauce

cooked meatballs and/or italian sausages

toss everything in the crockpot in the morning, set on low.  When you return, throw some cheese in, in 20 min everything is done.

serve with breadsticks and a salad.  You can wrap breadsticks in foil and warm up on the stove.

Another thing I make when we camp is bisquits and gravy for about 30 people.  I do make the bisquits at home before I leave.  Cooked pork sausage (2lbs), 3 - 5 packages of pepper gravy (depends on size).

I have to tell you this is not a job I would want! I have a couple of yummy chicken recipes for the crockpot. Of course, they are not intended to serve 20, so you will need to adjust the amount of ingredients.

Crock Pot Chicken Stroganoff

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can cream of mushroom soup

16 oz. carton sour cream

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

--Put chicken in the bottom of the crock pot (it can be frozen too!). Mix soup, sour cream and onion soup mix together. Pour over chicken. Cook on low heat for 6 1/2 to 7 hours. Serve over egg noodles. Note: I have made this with the 98% fat free soup and low fat sour cream with equally yummy results!

Chicken Delight

6 chicken breasts

1/4 c. lemon juice

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cooking wine

1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese

salt,pepper and paprika to taste

Put everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Serve over fettucine noodles.

Teriyaki Beef or Chicken

A popular dish around here is my homemade "Teriyaki Sauce" on any meat.

Start with bottle of Lite Soy Sauce (pour in large bowl to mix). Add 1 cup of water, 8-12 drops of HOT Sauce, NOT Tabasco sauce, 6-8 cloves garlic minced (can use garlic paste or dried), 2 bunches green onions (both white and green parts sliced thin) and 1/4 c sugar (or use sugar substitute).

I make this up early and keep on hand.  When I am ready to use it, I pour enough to marinade my meat into lg zip bag or tupperware container.  Let set for 20 minutes, turning once.

Pour meat and marinade into crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Serve with rice or medium wide egg noodles.  (I serve beef brisket with egg noodles, chicken or pork with rice.)  I have also added sliced carrots and snowpea pods to the marinade and meat. 

This works with any cut of meat, even the toughest ones, and works well in frying pan, under broiler or on the grill. If using brisket or flank steak cut across the grain into strips.

If the meat falls apart in the crockpot, grab some soft flour taco shells and make wraps.  Any leftovers here get wrapped and browned in a small amt of oil.  Makes great sandwiches to take with you for quick lunch/snack.

Its A Wrap: My ways of making leftovers get used.

When you prepare a big meal, say for Thanksgiving or Christmas, after everyone has finished eating and you are ready to put leftovers away grab some flour taco shells and make up mini

You can do just about anything you want, including a crockpot cake. I work at a center for adults with mental illness and teach cooking and nutrition. I have an electric skillet, crockpot, microwave, 3 sizes of toaster ovens and a 1 burner electric burner. We add my Nesco for Thanksgiving and cooked for 22 people.

Choose recipes that are simple. Crockpot lasagna, steamed zucchini & summer squash mix, with salad and garlic bread is always a crowd pleaser. Microwaved mexican pork in red sauce with rice, black bean soup and microwave tortillas along with salad greens in case someone wants salad or to make a Mexican Salad, are 2 quick thoughts.

I love this thread! :) Everyone is so creative!  I wanted to share this link also- called Cooking for a Crowd: http://www.bettycrocker.com/how-to/charts-and-guides/General-Charts/Food-for-a-Crowd-A-Planning-Guide.htm Thought it could be helpful... Sincerely, CC