My 5 year old is being pinned as a "Daisy" in Girl Scouts tomorrow night. I've signed up to bring food - but having a hard time deciding what to bring. Deserts, veggies, drinks, were already taken - my choice was "food". We are trying to stick to a budget - so I don't want to be too extravagent, but would like to bring something that everyone will like. I'm wavering between - a platter of wings,tenders etc. from Walmart or Publix, or a platter of little sandwiches, or something in the crockpot????? Any ideas? If I make little sandwiches, I can make them w/o mayo & mustard and put that out on the side - I have boxes of individual packages (from catering my husband's track events).
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Trifle doesn't work for me in this instance as "dessert" was already taken on the sign up sheet. I do have a convertible cake plate / punch / trifle bowl that would work for that....maybe next time!
I forgot to mention that the reason I was thinking crock pot - is that I will be going straight from my office. Fortunately, I work in an office by myself, and have a little kitchenette w/ counter, sink, fridge & microwave. I had to shop for this last night, and had meatballs in my mind - but didn't see recipes on the bags of frozen ones so I was too intimidated to go for that experiment - I'll save those recipes and try them later though! I settled on Beef Stroganoff! I bought thin little sirloin steaks on sale, the noodles, sour cream and mushroom soup. Last night, I boiled the noodles @ home, drained them and tossed them with a tiny little bit of oil so they would not be a solid lump 'o noodle in the gallon zip lock bag. I brought my little electric skillet with me, cut the meat, and browned it, and then put it in the crock pot with the soup. It smells awesome right now, I plan to put the noodles and sour cream in about 1/2 hour before I leave here. My crock pot has an insulated bag to carry it in, and I even remembered to bring an extension cord just in case. When I get to the school, I hopefully will just be able to plug it right back in to sit while they are doing the ceremony. My daughter had an idea - so after I dropped her off at school, I slipped back into Publix on my way to work, picked up 2 bags of salad and some tomatoes and croutons. I've tossed the salad in a bowl with lid, and will add the croutons and dressing @ the party. So.....there it is, I'm bringing dinner - beef stroganoff and salad, I think my total $ is just around $17 so not too bad for being the last one to sign up on the sheet! Thanks again everyone!
PS: re: pigs in blankets - I've done that for my daughter's birthday parties @ the park. I bake them off at home, and then put them in a disposable chaffing dish (sp?), wrap it in a couple of beach towels, get it over water and lit @ the park as soon as possible and we always run out - they are a huge hit. A tip from a friend that I found helpful - I always shop ahead and get them when the hot dogs are BOGO @ Publix, buy 4 packages (for price of 2), cut them all in 1/2 or 1/3, buy the flaky layer biscuits - 4 pack @ Walmart for about $1.50, pop open the can, and peel the layers! You can wrap 2 -3 mini dogs with each biscuit! :-) The only problem with me trying to do that for today, is that I'm at the office and don't have access to an oven or I would have done that for sure. I just set a bottle of ketchup and mustard next to the serving dish, and let everyone put their own "dip" on their plate if desired. Thanks for the ideas!
Get a bag of frozen meatballs, a jar of grape jelly and a jar of chili sauce. Mix them together in the crockpot and heat the meatballs through. It probably sounds gross, but it is fabulous and little fingers LOVE the meatballs. And it's cheap!
Make meatballs and keep them warm in your crock pot. They will travel well if you put the crock pot in a box large enough to hold it. I use the recipe on the back of the lipton onion soup mix for meatloaf and I leave out the ketchup. Good luck to you and your Daisy!
What about lasagna or baked ziti? They're easy to make and everyone likes them! You can make a lasgana in your crock pot as well! I've made this one before and my family loved it. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/slow-cooker-lasagna
Always a winner for our family is meatballs in the crock pot. A bag of frozen meatballs, jar of cocktail sauce and jar of grape jelly and your done. Have a great time with your daughter!
A sandwich platter is usually way over priced, so make one yourself. My favorite way to do this is to buy 2 Cuban rolls, and 1/2 lb of 3 meats plus 1 lb of cheese. I but both breads completely in half, stuff them and then put the top on. Then I cut them into 2-3 inch sections and toss out 2 ends. After that I assemble them in an s-shape. If you get a red of pink colored meat you can cut it into the shape of a snake tongue, and then use toothpicks and green olives for eyes. Snake shaped sandwich platters are always a big hit for kids. Just make sure you wrap the plate it is on in cling wrap so the bread stay fresh, I would also suggest making this the night before and NO EARLIER. Keep the mayo and mustard on the side... kids are picky! Good luck!
My favorite thing to bring to potlucks are Trifles! Everyone loves them and they are easy enough for kiddos to help you make! There is virtually no "cooking" required...usually you have a cake base (I use prepared Sara Lee pound cakes)soaked with flavored creamer, coffee or some other flavoring, pudding mix with milk and some type of mix in...cool whip or cream cheese, then your topping is additional cool whip with sprinkles, fresh fruit, chocolate ganache, etc. Trifles are easily transported with the Pampered Chef Trifle bowl because it has a removable base and a lid! However, you can use any trifle bowl to present the layered look, since you don't have the time to purchase a trifle bowl in time for the potluck. If you are interested in the Pampered Chef Trifle bowl...check out my home business page for website information. If you are interested in making a trifle for the potluck or any other occasion, let me know and I can send you a couple of recipes to try. I even have one that is great for the fall season...Pumpkin Cream Trifle. It was a big hit at my last mommy function!
Dear Debbie,
You could also do a platter of crackers, with cheese & some with peanut better ect.. Plus I just want to mention that I love your " a little about me"!!! It is so refreshing to hear parents express the joy they get from having one of Gods innocent angels sharing their life with us here on earth! May the Good Lord Bless you all... I was told I'd never have any children and I was also blessed with my one and only, my son! Now I am double blessed with raising my 2 little nieces! Take great care and know that your Little about me, made my heart smile today!
Sincerely,
Kathy N.
you can make mini meatballs in the crock pot
I love the little sandwiches....I've also done a platter w/pigs in a blanket to great success. I use the little cocktail franks or cut a regular hot dog in half. Then, you roll in crescent dough and bake. You can choose to add a littie cheese inside the bigger hotdog (the cocktail franks are too small). Cut a slit in the hotdog and add a bit if American cheese. Filling and inexpensive and easy! They go real fast!
I second Mandy's response and recipe! It is so easy and so yummy!!!
Little hot dogs in crescent rolls are good. Or little sausage links in the crockpot with BBQ sauce or brown sugar and ketchup! Yum!
Slow cooker Sloppy joes would be fun
http://www.recipezaar.com/Slow-Cooker-Sloppy-Joes-299585
Slow cooker Chicken risotto is a favorite with my picky son
http://www.recipezaar.com/Chicken-Risotto-175329
Focaccia is something that can be served at room temp, keep the toppings simple for the little ones
http://www.recipezaar.com/Pered-Chef-Roasted-Pepper-Focac...
Something mini so everyone isn't overwhelmed: Mini Tacos
http://www.recipezaar.com/Mini-Tacos-74301
You could do up a soup out of the slow-cooker... just provide some cups and a spoon
http://www.recipezaar.com/Crock-Pot-Taco-Soup-40022
I'll post more as I think of some.
Good luck!
