Christmas party for 200 soldiers
Lori
12/01/11 		Hi Ellen, I am feeding 200 soldiers this Sunday and I saw your posting for cheesy potatoes. You mentioned cooking them in a roaster and needing 3 roasters full to feed this many people. My only questions is what size roaster? If I have 18 quart roasters do you think I will still need 3?
ellen
12/01/11 		Yes, you will absolutely need three, and there may not be any left. Many of these folks eat like teenagers- heavily! Depending on the rest on the menu, and whether it is self serve or you are allowing for seconds, I might even make 4.
Lori
12/01/11 		Thank you so much for your quick response. I am cooking about 130 lbs of burgundy spoon roast and serving corn and rolls. Others are bringing sides and desserts. I've never made the potatoes in a roaster before. Are they as good as when you make them in the oven? Also I think you mentioned 325 degrees for 3 hrs. Is that right?
ellen
12/02/11 		Yes. they are, they just don't get quite as crispy around the edges.
Yes that timing is about right if you preheat the roaster and everything is room temp. You could allow 4 and turn down to 180 if they are done sooner- it depends on the type potato, thickness of slices etc. You know to use russets or Yukon gold, not new (red) potatoes?
Lori
12/03/11 		I am making the hashbrown cheesy potato recipe.
ellen
12/03/11 		That will be fine, then-