Simpler Living Blog

COOKING, HOLIDAYS

Holiday Food: Planning for a Crowd

Lehman's
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Don't be caught with way too much, or (heaven forbid) not enough pumpkin pie this year. Plan for your holiday gathering by buying and preparing the right amount of food for the number attending. Please note: These quantities are for 24-25 people. Multiply or divide as needed. Beverages

Coffee Servings: 25 Serving Size: 3/4 cup Amount Needed: 1/2 to 3/4 pound, ground
Milk Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1 cup Amount Needed: 1 1/2 gallons
Soft Drinks Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1 cup Amount Needed: three 2-liter bottles
Tea, hot Servings: 25 Serving Size: 3/4 cup Amount needed: 5 quarts (20-25 tea bags)
Tea, iced Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1 cup Amount Needed: 1 1/2 gallons (24-30 tea bags)
Orange Juice Servings: 32 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 1 gallon
Lemonade Servings: 32 Serving Size: 1 cup Amount Needed: 2 gallons

Desserts

Pie Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/8 pie Amount Needed: three 9-inch pies
Cake Servings: 24 Amount Needed: two 13x9-inch cakes or one 15x10x1-inch sheet
Ice Cream Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 3 quarts
Frozen Yogurt Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 3 quarts

Fruit

Canned Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: one 6-1/2 to 7-1/4-pound can
Fresh, Cut-up Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 3 quarts

Relishes

Carrot Sticks Servings: 25 Serving Size: 2 to 3 sticks (2-3 inches) Amount Needed: 1 to 1 1/4 pounds
Cauliflower Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: four 1-pound heads
Broccoli Florets Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: four 1-pound heads
Celery Servings: 25 Serving Size: 2 to 3 pieces (2-3 inches) Amount Needed: 2 to 3 bundles
Olives Servings: 25 Serving Size: 3 to 4 Amount Needed: 1 1/4 quarts (5 cups)
Pickles, sliced Servings: 25 Serving Size: 3 to 4 slices Amount Needed: 1 quart
Pickles, spears Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1 spear Amount Needed: 1 to 1 1/4 quarts

Rice and Pasta

Elbow Macaroni Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1 cup cooked Amount Needed: 2 1/4 pounds, uncooked
Rice, Long-Grain Servings: 24 Serving Size: 3/4 cup cooked Amount Needed: 2 3/4 pounds (6 cups) uncooked
Spaghetti Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1 cup cooked Amount Needed: 3 pounds, uncooked

Salads/Side Dishes

Gelatin Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: three 6-ounce packages, flavored
Lettuce Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1 cup Amount Needed: 6 quarts, torn (4 heads)
Potato Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 3 quarts
Pasta Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 3 quarts
Main Dish Salads Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 9 quarts

Soup

Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1 1/2 cup Amount Needed: three 50-ounce cans, condensed

Vegetables

Canned Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: one 6-1/2 to 7-1/4 pound can
Fresh Potatoes, Mashed Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 7 pounds
Fresh Potatoes, Scalloped Servings: 25 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: 7 pounds
Frozen Beans, Peas, Corn, or Mixed Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount Needed: three 16-ounce packages

Miscellaneous

Butter or Margarine Servings: 32 Serving Size: 1 pat (1 teaspoon) Amount Needed: 1/2 pound
Pizza Servings: 24 Serving Size: 1/3 of a 12-inch pizza Amount Needed: eight 12-inch pizzas
Potato or Corn Chips Servings: 25 Serving Size: 3/4 to 1 ounce (1 1/2 cups) Amount Needed: 1 to 1 1/2 pounds
Mixed Nuts Servings: 12 Serving Size: 1/4 cup Amount Needed: 12 ounces