Slow Cooker

• Preparing a roast in the slow cooker on Wednesday or Thursday allows for a quick pulled-pork feast by Friday. The meat can be shredded the evening of the meal. Commercially prepared barbecue sauce can be added to the meat on the stove top and simmered for 15 to 20 minutes. This can be eaten alone or on sandwich buns with coleslaw, which can also be prepared ahead of time or even purchased from the deli at the local grocery. Add a green salad or pasta salad and there will be something to suit each individual's taste.
  
  Chicken and rice is easy when the chicken is started early in the morning in the slow cooker. Rub a large roasting chicken with olive oil and poultry seasoning, sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika and place into a slow cooker that has a large onion chopped up in it. Allow the bird to cook on low for four to eight hours. Check the chicken's internal temperature to be sure it's done. The chicken will make its own juice and this can be used to add with the water that cooks the rice. Serve this with greens, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and bakery rolls.
  
  

Make Your Own

• Allowing the hungry crowd to put their own dish together can be fun. Ideas for this can include baked potato night or pizza night. Provide baked potatoes and the toppings on a buffet-style layout so that each person can do his own toppings, which can include cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, butter, sour cream, chives and anything else that might top a potato. Meat and side dishes that are leftover from earlier dinners can be re-heated and served with this as well.
  
  Have pizza night, allowing a mini pizza for each individual, which can be prepared with desired toppings. English muffins or pre-baked crusts are good to use for this type of pizza. Set out individual bowls with pizza sauce, meats, cheeses, olives, peppers and other toppings. After each person fixes her own pizza, the pizzas can be placed in the oven and baked together.
  
  

Breakfast for Dinner

• Allowing each person to prepare a menu item of breakfast for dinner can make for a filling alternative to a heavy meat and potatoes meal. Plan out the meal to include items that would typically be found on a breakfast menu. Individuals can be responsible for preparing the different components of the meal.
  
  One person can do the eggs, making sure to prepare enough different varieties to suit each guests' taste. Someone can do the pancakes and waffles and another person can cook the bacon or sausage. If you are serving potatoes, it might be best to have frozen hash browns ready to go because peeling the potatoes can increase prep time a great deal. Another person can be in charge of cutting up fresh canteloupe, strawberries and grapes for dessert.