Innovative cooking strategies and batch recipes for large family gatherings

On the Qurbani Eid morning, your kitchen resembles a butcher shop that has just exploded. And before you store all this meat effortlessly, you are getting calls from relatives about their sudden surprise visit.

While you are busy mastering the art of perfectly proportioning the amount of meat, bones and fat for relatives and neighbours, you notice you have a mini army to feed. Now, the meaty mountain seems small, and the lingering question will keep you up till 2:00 AM on how to prepare finger-licking dishes effortlessly without losing your sanity.

Batch cooking

The secret to feeding a whole army without stress needs batch cooking hence opt for smart preps. Pre-chop the onions, make the GiGi (Ginger and Garlic) paste, dice the tomatoes, and prepare your basic spices. Marinate enough meat for at least three different dishes at once.

While your nihari is cooking, you can prepare your kebab mix and blend your tehari spices.

Use your appliances efficiently; it's high time to get them down from the showcase. The pressure cooker is ideal for quick tender meats, and large pots can aid in slow cooking for batch meal production.

Your timeline should look something like this: Day 1 evening for simple curry, Day 2 for slow-cooked dishes and Day 3 for quick fried items. This will help you not spend every single day chained to your kitchen. 

Meal ideas without breaking your budget

Big gatherings need big, hearty meals. However, that doesn't necessarily need to empty your wallet. Who doesn't love a perfectly spiced beef tahari, which is effortless and can feed up to 20 people with just 3 kg of meat? Add potato and lentils to your keema and curry, which will not only thicken your curry but also ensure everyone gets a hearty portion. Or you can go for Sheesh kebabs. Prepare the mince mixture in bulk, and you can grill them fresh or store them for later. Another star dish can be Nihari, a beef stew. Though it takes a lot of time, it's mostly hands-off. Khichuri and Achari beef can be another option to please your guests with a dime. 

Assign roles

But! Don't cook alone. You are neither auditioning for MasterChef nor is it a one-person show. Give everyone a task, one person to chops onions, one prepares the spices, one grills the meat, and the other person chops the vegetables. Keep someone for taste testing. This will allow them not only to invest in meal success but they can chat and chop meanwhile. Cooking together not only makes the process easier but also more enjoyable, creating lasting Eid memories filled with laughter and delicious food. Moreover, you can post them on social media to garner numerous likes and comments. 

Emergency preparations

Even with the best planning, something may go wrong. You may run out of time, energy, or, worst of all, gas. Don't panic! Use your oven or electric stove to fry some liver with khichuri, or bake your keema in the oven. And don't worry about leftovers. You can use leftover kebabs to make a delicious sandwich or wrap filling, or the beef curry can be further used in pasta and lasagna. Better yet, share some with your neighbours or those in need. It not only spreads joy but also clears your fridge. 

How to keep your sanity? Well, it's simple. Clean as you cook, wipe spills immediately, and wash dishes as you use them. Then, serve the kids first; a well-fed kid is a happy kid.

Hide the desserts from them so that they can be adequately fed to the mains. Don't wait for anyone; start and watch everybody accompanying you.

Remember, this Eid isn't just about eating meat but about spending quality time with your loved ones. Thoughtful planning, shared responsibilities and clever cooking tricks can make you a perfect host for large gatherings. However, be prepared for the next issue: guests will begin planning their next visit.

The writer can be found at meghrahman1234@gmail.com