You've reluctantly agreed it's your turn to host the festivities this year, but the guest list has blown right out (even your old Oba Akari is coming, and she hasn't actually left her house since 1996). Sure, it's lovely that everyone can make it (for the first time in a decade, and, naturally, during your hosting year, but hey, yeah, it's lovely), but how on earth are you going to feed everyone?
Simple things are better than fancy things
It might help to know that cooks 10,000 free, nutritious meals every day for Australians doing it tough. They have recently opened a new kitchen in Brisbane that will eventually produce more than 5 million meals every year. A late lunch for 16 is sounding more and more manageable, don't you think?
FareShare kitchen hand Tania Kerovic has managed on a very tight family budget for years. She believes it’s possible to create a special family Christmas for at total of $20, fullstop.
She serves her three sons sausages cooked on the BBQ, with thinly sliced potatoes and salad. Dessert is ice cream with a rainbow jelly tower, created with different coloured jellies.
“Food waste is never a problem," says Tania. "If we have a big family gathering [at Christmas], we take the food home." Source: FareShare
“If money was no object, I would do the same," says Tania. "Simple things are better than fancy things.”
Plan ahead
"Meal planning and list writing is essential for fighting food waste at Christmas," Travis Harvey, Executive Chef, at , tells SBS Food. "Make sure you look in your pantry and fridge before writing your shopping list."
Don't make it harder on yourself, and more expensive, by fighting what you currently have.
Your dining space and furniture may well dictate whether your party is formal or informal. Don't make it harder on yourself, and more expensive, by fighting what you currently have.
Plan your and make a shopping list to ensure you buy enough, without not too many leftovers. That said, Harvey has a brilliant tip for leftover Christmas pudding: "Roll into bite-size balls, dip in melted chocolate and desiccated coconut – yum!"
Rudolph recipe .
Rudolph biscuits are cheap to make and work in any setting. Source: Tara Fisher
Buy things on sale
Keep an eye on specials at your butcher, supermarket, and produce store. Buy meat late in the day, then freeze it ready for your event. Buy other items over the next few weeks, so you're not being hit with a big bill at once.
Know that you can't do it alone.
Only buy what you need, though. "Ignore those tempting ‘50% off’ or ‘two for one’ deals," advises CEO, Brianna Casey. "It helps avoid impulse purchases which ultimately may end up in the bin."
Never cook alone
Any food charity will tell you that the number one rule for producing tasty, nutritious meals economically is to know that you can't do it alone. Rally your guests to contribute a dish to the meal. This way you can bring on the Champagne feast using your beer budget.
If you make this:
Maple syrup glazed ham recipe .
A traditional glazed ham is surprisingly easy to prepare and relatively cost effective over a few meals. Source: Ben Dearnley
You can ask your guests to each make one of these:
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Green beans with feta dressing
Or, perhaps you'll make this:
Deep fried snapper with green mango salad recipe .
Whole fish makes an impressive centrepiece for the main meal. Source: Sharyn Cairns
And ask your guests to contribute:
Don't be shy about asking your family and friends to bring something to the festivities. Most people welcome the opportunity to help out, and others simply love the opportunity to show off their cooking skills. You're winning, either way.
Most people welcome the opportunity to help out, and others simply love the opportunity to show off their cooking skills.
Bulk up meals
It's an old trick, but a good one: plenty of vegetables and filling carbs like noodles, pasta and bread keep everyone's bellies satisfied for much less. Offer plenty of low-cost starters before the main meal even begins, then add loads of tempting vegetarian sides to your seafood or meat main.
"Use 250 grams per person as a guide for serving meat," advises OzHarvest's Harvey. "Recipes that serve six people should feed twice the amount when served buffet style with other dishes."
Scrimping starters:
Recipes that serve six people should feed twice the amount when served buffet style with other dishes.
Eat seasonally
'Tis the season, to eat seasonally.
"Buying locally grown, fresh produce that’s in season will mean it is not only fresher, but also cheaper," says Foodbank Australia's Casey. "Remember to only buy what you need. Better yet, buy the wonky fruit and veg - it’s still delicious and nutritious, even if it doesn’t look quite right!"
Make things from scratch
Not only will you save money by making your own , , or even ; it all tastes so much better when you make it yourself. Even the standard "dips 'n' crackers" are so much fancier when you've injected your love into them.
Muhammara (Turkish walnut-capsicum dip) looks suitably festive for this time of year. Source: China Squirrel
Be bold, be brave
If you're still not confident that this year's gathering will be fondly remembered, remember this: everything served by someone you love, is something to love. Be adventurous with your food choices and dazzle with something unexpected. Then prepare your food with pride, and greet your guests the same way. It's a certainty that joy will follow them in the door and everyone will have a very merry time. Yep, even your old Oba Akari.
