Feeding a Gaming Group

Whether you get together, on Friday nights to play cards (Apples to Apples or poker) or you are looking forward to Wizards of the Coast publishing the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons (RIP Gary Gygax) you are most likely wondering how to feed a crowd on game night.
I've been pondering this question for nigh on 15 years myself. Pizza and beer or soda is the norm, but it's boring!! and can get quite expensive, depending on the age and appetite of your gaming group. Lets face it, men have a tendency to eat like they are growing, no mater what age. You order 2 large pizzas for your average gaming group and they are gone within 5 minutes, and "the guys" are still hungry. There is always the matter of paying as well. Not only is there "The Mooch" in every group, people are carrying less and less cash. Not to mention the fact that places are accepting less and less cash. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PAPER MONEY PEOPLE!!!!!!
Recently, with my D&D group, I took it upon myself to feed everyone. Being the "Proud Scots" that I am and notoriously frugal, I decided that everyone should pitch in. Being that there are 4 families in our gaming group, I was putting together "4 Ingredient" meals to feed a crowd. One person would bring 2 pounds of pasta, one person would provide the canned tomatoes and two would provide the meats. It was that way with Chili and chicken soup and... well you get the picture. In this way we could feed 15-20 people, players and non-players for less than $5 each. I did say that there was 4 families, with children aged 3-15 and friends. And that's not $5 per person, that's $5 per family. Sometimes, there was even leftovers.


Game Night Pasta Sauce

• One pound Italian Sausage
• One pound ground meat (beef, turkey, pork, chicken)
• 1/2 medium onion "rough chopped"
• 1-2 cloves of garlic minced
  
• 2 cans Italian stewed tomatoes
• 2 cans tomato sauce
• Oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, Italian spice blend and/or red pepper flakes to taste
• 2 pounds of your favorite pasta

Heat the largest pot you have over medium-low heat. Brown the ground meat and the Italian sausage, if it is the bulk variety. If you have links and would like to chunk it up, I find it better to brown the links whole, then cut them in to bite size pieces. Once the ground meat is well browned, season with salt and pepper. Next add the onions, when the onions are translucent and not burnt, add the garlic. Watch the garlic, cause it has a high sugar content and will burn. When the whole kitchen smells of garlic and onions, add ALL the tomato products. Simmer for about 30 minutes then add your herbs and spices. Simmer for another 30 minutes, then serve over your pasta cooked according the the package directions.


Game Night Chili

This recipe was actually inspired by a hero of mine named Alton Brown. OK, the recipe might be all his, from his show Good Eats on the Food Network, but I didn't remember the amounts.

• 2 pounds of ground meat, this could be a mix or all beef
• 1 can of Mexican stewed tomatoes
• Up to 2 cups of chunky salsa (you get your tomatoes, onions and peppers this way)
• 1/2 medium onion "Rough chopped" (optional)
• 1-2 cloves of garlic minced (optional)
• Up to 1/4 cup of chili powder (start with 1 tablespoon at a time)
• 1 pound bag of corn tortilla chips, pulverized
  
• Oregano, cumin, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste

Heat your largest pot over medium heat. Brown off your meat. If you are going to add the optional onions and garlic, cook your onions now, just like in the pasta sauce recipe. Same for the garlic. Add your tomatoes and salsa and simmer away for about 15 minutes. Add the chips and seasoning and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until the chili is as thick as you like it. For a different taste try adding 12 ounces of the beer that's just laying around on game night. The darker the better, though ports don't do good in chili, IMHO.