OT: vaca nxt week - what to cook for 12 adults 5 kids?

NDG

inlaws rented large house, and we each responsible for Dinner 1 night . . I am stressing just a bit, as my inlaws know I love to cook and are expecting something interesting.   Also feeling a bit lost without my BGE, Sous Vide (I guess I could pack it), Rubs, Sauces, Herbs, etc.  Unfortunately, I am more or a recipe follower, far from a brilliant freestyle cook . . so any thoughts for 12 adults 5 kids ???

Here is what I know . . 
- access to a grill (not sure if charcoal or gas - i will check now)
- mother in-law wants to do all the grocery shopping before we arrive . . so trying to propose a limited list of ingredients . . not too concerned about money though (so flank steak, etc is possible)
- flying on plane, but I could bring my SV stick, but vessel would be cooler and bags just freezer bags
- inlaws are Italian . . so they will cook plenty of Pasta . . so no pasta ideas please.
- additional cousins might show up . . so need Quantity here for up to 15 adults !!
- no allergies or weird diets that I am aware of

THANKS IN ADVANCE !!

 

Kent8621

i smoked some pulled pork ahead of time for our last trip and heated it up with a sous vide, add a little apple juice prior to freezing in vacuum bag.  we also bought some local ribeyes one night and baked them in the oven then seared on a make shift grill.  flank steak sous vide and seared would be a great option also.

NDG

thanks @Kent8621 . . cant fly with meat but I like the idea of reverse sear from Oven to Grill . . hmmm

johnmitchell

How about a couple of chuck roasts shredded with peppers and onions served with provolone cheese on hoagie rolls,

Kent8621

NDG said:

thanks @Kent8621 . . cant fly with meat but I like the idea of reverse sear from Oven to Grill . . hmmm

you might check that because i think you can fly with meat, i have seen people carry on yeti bags of stuff frequently and i know meat church posted stuff of him flying with meat before.  i know you can ask the TSA on any of the social media stuff and they are pretty responsive.

NDG

@johnmitchell LOVE that idea !!! think i saw a nice post here about that cook - ill search now.   @Kent8621 yes I just mean I personally can not bc my hands already crazy full with 2 young kids and I have to carry those huge spine busting car seats on my back . . yeti carry-on just not possible for me :(

johnmitchell

NDG said:

thanks @Kent8621 . . cant fly with meat but I like the idea of reverse sear from Oven to Grill . . hmmm

You could always order from SRF and have it delivered to vacation home address.. 

NDG

@Mattman3969 looking at your incredible post here on Italian Beef . . thoughts on how to duplicate using oven and small crap grill?   https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1219931/italian-beef-and-onion-rings/p1

Also, how many lbs of Chuck you think I would need to feed 15+ ppl?

NDG

@johnmitchell good idea on SRF . . jumped on and just ordered the summer sizzler package that includes tons of wagyu ground beef & wagyu dogs . . it will get destroyed.   This is not my designated meal, just a nice gesture as inlaws picking up cost of house.

lousubcap

It's vacation.  Tell her to order/bring a few packs of chix thighs, drumsticks and wings and a couple of pounds of bacon for wrapping the thighs.  Also a cheese of your choice to stuff the thighs.  Don't forget the toothpicks.  Carry your own favorite chix seasoning(s), pack an instant read thermo and have at it.  FWIW-

Carolina Q

For Mom's 100th birthday, I cooked 4 butts. No access to a grill/smoker of any kind so I did 'em in her oven. Missing the smoke flavor, but it was actually quite good. You have a grill so yours could have smoke, but really, we didn't miss it. Pull, vac seal (or use zip-loks) and reheat in 160ish° water.

NDG

@lousubcap stuffed chicken thighs is good idea too - thanks!  I will bring my thermoworks instant for sure . .

fishlessman

was just looking at stuffed flank steak, so many ways

GATraveller

Couple of flank steaks or some flap meat and tacos it is.

Wolfpack

Sous vide 18 hr ribs- crowd pleaser and will look like a hero

SmokeyPitt

Where are you going? Just thinking that if you are headed to the beach or somewhere coastal perhaps some local seafood. 

DoubleEgger

Dylan’s @Eggcelsior Baltimore Pit Beef Sandwiches with his Tiger Sauce. I can’t think of anything better to feed a crowd and keep it easy on yourself. 

NDG

@SmokeyPitt house is ocean city NJ on boardwalk . . Not my choice but Super nostalgic trip for wife’s fam as they did it every year growing up @GATraveller great idea but just heard her bro is doing taco night already @Wolfpack interesting idea!!  Just sucks to do ribs SV using only plastic bags instead of vac seal - hmmmm @DoubleEgger dunno man that intimidates me with only oven & crap grill . . Plus crap knife to cut thin??  

DoubleEgger

Pit Beef is all SV. Sear in a pan on the stove. Stash a knife in your checked luggage if you want. It’s allowed.

NDG

Ohhh ok @DoubleEgger - got a link ?

bgebrent

Dylan’s Pitt beef is the top of the mountain.  Bring a knife.

DoubleEgger

NDG said:

Ohhh ok @DoubleEgger - got a link ?

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1203018/smoked-baltimore-pit-beef

Beauty of SV is the flexibility on time. 17 folks in a rental house is like herding cats. 

bgebrent

DoubleEgger said:

NDG said:

Ohhh ok @DoubleEgger - got a link ?

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1203018/smoked-baltimore-pit-beef

This.

NDG

Great. I guess I’ll pre-mix & bring the dry rub - my wife is gonna flip when she sees me wrap up my 8” shun knife into the luggage 

DoubleEgger

NDG said:

Great. I guess I’ll pre-mix & bring the dry rub - my wife is gonna flip when she sees me wrap up my 8” shun knife into the luggage 

https://www.amazon.com/Messermeister-Knife-Guard-Piece-Black/dp/B072DXRFJ9/ref=asc_df_B072DXRFJ9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198060092138&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11111193997259590272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011028&hvtargid=pla-351470178855&psc=1

NDG

Deep Dish pizza is interesting thought too

DoubleEgger

NDG said:

Deep Dish pizza is interesting thought too

Pizza for 17 folks in a foreign environment. 

bgebrent

Stick to what you know.

DoubleEgger

NDG said:

Great. I guess I’ll pre-mix & bring the dry rub - my wife is gonna flip when she sees me wrap up my 8” shun knife into the luggage 

Another tip would be to seal one end of a foodsaver bag and pack it. You dont have to vac seal the meat just leave the bag long enough to overlay the edge of a SV vessel and clip it to the container. 

NDG

Ha yea wife said pizza dumb idea too - just thinking - pit beef #1 as of now  EDIT: or Italian Beef 

SmokeyPitt

NDG said:

@SmokeyPitt house is ocean city NJ on boardwalk .  

If it were me I would be thinking seafood.  I have spent some time up that way and only ate in restaurants, but had some great seafood. Maybe @Sea2Ski can make some recommendations. i think he is just across the bay.