PLEASE HELP!!! Looking for an easy to serve "cooked" recipe for an outdoor party?

Question

My mother's 80th birthday is next month. We are holding the party outside at my sister's. It's the first time she's ever had a birthday party of more than 5 people. There will be a minimum of fifty (50) people. I am looking for a VERY special recipe (main course, hot) to serve that will not be too difficult to a) make ahead and b) serve outdoors. BBQ's are out - sister does not have a grill. I was thinking of Jambalaya, but too many people disagreed with the idea because of a) seafood not a favorite & b) too spicy. Stuffed Cabbage (my mother is Polish) is already on the menu and so is kielbasa and chicken. I'm at my wits ends trying to come up with something really special. Any ideas (w/recipes) would be greatly appreciated as this Christian woman is VERY special to us all - she has always given of herself without ever asking for anything.

Also, if you have any REALLY SPECIAL recipes for sides, deserts, etc., I'll GRATEFULLY take those too, but I must come up with a main course.

Answer 1

Go on Food.com!

Answer 2

What's wrong with Jambalaya?  Make a large pot of that (on top of the stove) with some appropriate sides like corn on the cob.  On a separate table, ALSO make a large lasagne (from the oven - can be made ahead) with salad and garlic bread. ALSO make a pot roast with new potatoes and sliced carrots (in the crock pot).  There you go.  And yes, you can do it all in one kitchen.  And I guarantee the jambalaya will be a hit.

http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/20...

http://www.almanac.com/food/reunionplann...

http://allrecipes.com/features/chinetpar...

Answer 3

Bowtie pasta with red bell peppers, artichoke hearts and scallions with lemon viniagrette. Served with Italian lemon chicken b*****s or  bone in pieces which can be done in the oven. The pasta can be served hot or cold with Parmesan cheese on the side. The chicken should be cooked unitl almost done and then dipped in a lemon viniagrette than briefly returned to the oven. That being said perhaps a stuffed pork loin or two. Or an old fashioned pot roast which can be done ahead of time a nd re-heated sreved with boiled potatoes and carrots as the one you cook with the roast should get mushy and give up all their flavor and be incorporated into the gravy.