DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m a widower who is going to host my late wife’s family here in October so we can finally have a celebration of life and scatter her ashes. Her siblings and their spouses (12 people in all) will all be staying with me or near me in Airbnbs and hotels.

The celebration of life will be catered and they offered to pay for that. To reciprocate them for their kindness, I want to be a good host and prepare family-style dinners on the four evenings they’re in the area. I’ve been cooking for myself for over a year now but am at a loss with what to offer a large group that would be easy on the budget and tasty. Could you and your readers give me some suggestions?

It doesn’t have to be full recipes, just ideas and tips for me to look up later. It seems a little daunting to me but I want to try to see this through and perhaps learn something new in the process. – Fred, no town

ANSWER: Please accept my condolences. I am glad that your wife’s siblings are coming together to support you and to gather to honor her. It will be a fun time and we want it to be without stress for you. I’m impressed that you want to do it at all.

Here are my ideas and I’m sure Sun Spotters will have others. If you have room in your freezer, prepping something ahead like pans of pasta with jarred sauce, cheese, and ground beef or sausage is an option. Using ziti and penne are much quicker and easier than making lasagna and tastes just as good. Add tossed salad and bread and you will be all set. Use disposable aluminum pans and you won’t have to concern yourself with heavy-duty cleanup.

Utilize your crock pot and even borrow a second one if you need to and make soup or chowder. This is a comforting meal that can be made ahead and frozen then reheated on the night you’re serving it. Salad and bread will go well with this too.

A turkey or a big roasting pan of chicken thighs and drumsticks is lovely. You can have mashed potatoes, carrots, and cranberries alongside.

Something I often make for a crowd is pulled pork. Cook a pork butt or shoulder in the crockpot or oven and serve with buns or corn bread, cole slaw, chips and pickles.

Keep dessert simple too. Ice cream and cookies, sheet cake, and fruit with cheese and nuts are always welcome.

Keep in mind that your guests will most likely want to help with prepping and cleaning up and please allow them to do it. You may be shy about this, but you won’t be out of line asking family members to set the table, put around chairs, place food in serving dishes, etc.

I’m looking forward to seeing what other ideas readers offer. And if you do need specific instructions for anything, please let me know.

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