We are going to a family reunion this weekend ... potluck, of course. The challenge I have is that Friday night we will be staying in a hotel, and the potluck is Saturday. I know I can make a fruit salad the morning of. Last time I made a couple dozen cookies, but my BIL bakes amazing pies that everyone loves!!!!! My cookies were hardly touched. What are some other things I could do?
Love the those BBQ cocktail weenies/Lil smokies/meatballs in a crockpot idea! We actually have some in the freezer (probably need to add to that)! Great!
I think I will do the fresh fruit as well. It is summer!
I'll take any other ideas people have! It's always good to have too many ideas, rather than not enough :-)
veggie platter
you could be the cups and plates gal?
chips and dip
you could take a crockpot with you and do meatballs, or those BBQ cocktail weenies, or a spinach dip or BBQ chicken wings or something else that works with the crockpot
good luck!
Instead of fruit salad, what about a beautiful platter of fresh cut fruit?
Is the reunion being held at a place where you can do the prep? If so, cut up fresh pineapples, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, kiwi, grape bunches, and put on a nice big platter.
You can do a "Pasta Salad", "Lil Smokies", "Meatballs"....
You can also try Giada's (from foodnetwork), recipe on Espresso Caramel Bars. It's a 5 star rating! I'm posting the link for you. :-)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/es...
Hope these help you. :-)
Taco salad is easy and you can assemble it on site. I always get rave reviews from mine.
Lettuce (romaine- though you can get away with iceberg)
8oz SHARP cheddar cheese shredded
Taco meat (lawry't taco seasoning--reg--not the taco salad stuff) Make ahead and keep in cooler
Western dressing (fat free is fine)
Crushed Cheddar cheese Doritos (add at the last minute so they do not get soggy)
Optional: tomatoes--I only add them when they are in season
I precook the meat, and then the before the event wash and cut up the lettuce. Everything else is a dump it together and mix with tongs.
I love the brownie split pizza recipe from Pampered Chef. You can bring the brownie crust already baked, bring the sugar, bring the strawberries (they can sit in the hotel room w/o refrig.), the canned p'a and can opener and the bananas.
Enjoy!
BANANA SPLIT BROWNIE PIZZA
1 Package (21 oz) brownie mix 1 Qt. strawberries, sliced
1 - 8 oz pkg. cream cheese (in the box) 1/3 C. sugar
1 - 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained ¼ C. chocolate chips
2 bananas 1-2 Tbsp. butter
Chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°. Mix brownie mix as directed on package. (Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker work the best – do not use Pillsbury brand) Place
Parchment paper on 15" baking stone. Pour brownie mixture on paper and spread into a 14" circle. Do not try without parchment paper - the brownie mix with run off the stone. Bake 15 to 20 min. until set. Cool. Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread on brownie "crust". Top with fruit and nuts. Melt chocolate and butter together until smooth. Drizzle over pizza. Chill. Cut into wedges with pizza cutter.
Serves: 12 to 16
Variation: To make on a 13" stone use a 15 oz pkg. of brownie mix, and change the cream cheese to one 8 oz pkg. and 1/2 c. sugar.
Another variation: make brownies in 9 x 13" baker and top as directed.
Use mini-chocolate chips instead of melted chocolate and butter as a topping
The Pampered Chef®
Compliments of: M. M. Hay
Independent Sales Director
I was thinking bbq meatballs also - just bring a crock pot with the grape jelly and bbq sauce (someone else gave recipe below) then go to the local store to buy frozen meatballs in the AM. frozen meatballs are usually precooked.
also, most grocery stores have precooked items... 7 layer salads - just buy the tortilla chips.
you can also make really quickly a cream cheese base, then a can of chili and then cheddar cheese on top and either microwave or bake until the cheese melts. serve with tortilla chips.
also, makes a difference if this is an indoor party or outside.
outside - do fruit, vegetables and dip (buy a pre-maid or just use a bottle of ranch)
Salads are easy to toss together. You could take Kings Hawaiian Bread and dill dip. Ranch beans, Sloppy Joe's, coleslaw, macaroni salad, pasta salad, potato salad.
I did BBQ meatballs in a crock - 3 lbs meatballs, one jar grape jelly, two bottles BBQ sauce - cook on low for 4 hours. They were a hit!
Fruit dip and fresh fruit
Veggie tray and dip
Queso dip and chips
Buffalo Chicken dip (google recipe, super easy) and chips
Bruschetta
Pinwheel cream cheese sandwhiches
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with pita chips
Antipasto platter - olives, meats, cheeses.
Are you looking for desserts? Side dishes? Main dishes?
Whenever going somewhere with snacks, A tapenade is easy, and if you bring a french roll with mozarella on top it is delicious. I ALWAYS bring these garlic/ parmesan/ herb knots that everyone always loves, but if you are looking for a dessert then that wouldn't work =) A Lemon Glaze cake is fairly simple to make and can be made before.
I just received an e-mail from Kraft on Serve 'n Share Potluck Favorites. here is the web page address:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-entertai...
ADD: I'm sorry I put in the wrong address above the first time.
Hope you have a fun time. Good luck to you and yours.
Do the Jimmy Dean sausage balls. They transfer great in a crock pot, and they're always a hit. Here's the recipe I use: (and I always double it) http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,181,145184-226195,00.html
Cheesy Potatoes are always a hit (the ones with hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar, etc)
They can be made the night before and baked right before leaving.
They save good in the fridge if leftover.
They are simple -one bowl, mix, put in the pan, bake.
Whoops, just realized it said you were in a hotel. Sorry!
You can try Banana marshmallow chocolate dessert. Get ripe banana split them in half. Place it in a aluminum foil - top with marshmallow and chocolate. Wrap them and grill or oven till goodies melt (3-5 mins)!!! mmmm...
Best of all no cooking required make a grocery trip before heading to place.
I usually buy salad ingredients including olives and capers.
I do a pasta salad and my mom does a crunch cabbage that is best if done 24 hours in advance...
I use medium pasta shells - cook according to directions
then cool completely - I usually use cold water...drain
add Ranch Dressing - so that they are all coated...the pasta will soak it up and may need a tad more dressing before you serve
sliced black olives (if you use a whole box - 2 cans)
sliced cherry tomatoes (I cut mine in half)
and crumbled cooked bacon (you can use bac-o's just not as good) I also use the Hormel real Bacon Bits...
about 1/4 cup Italian dressing or less - just enough to give it some "zing"
mix it all together and YUM!!! I rarely have leftovers...
My mom's cabbage salad - if you are interested, PM me - I'll get the recipe from her - it uses slivered almonds, cabbage, Ramen noodles and an oil vinegarette dressing.
