Family, Potlucks, Picnics, Parties . . easy, nutritional recipes/ideas to share

[Bucky]

Hi . . .

Since we need to use our daily "spoons" wisely each day - I thought it would be fun to start a thread about recipes and or ideas when it comes to making food for our families, potlucks, picnics and parties.

My family is VERY picky about what they eat (ok, myself included  ).   I'm trying to fix meals that are nutritious, taste good and don't have lots of sodium and calories.  Anybody have any recipes to share?

I'd also like to have some of your favorite recipes that you take to potlucks and parties.  I tend to take deviled eggs - which are always the first item to be emptied off the table - but, I'm bored with making them and want something else to take.  Something that doesn't take a lot of preparation, yet tastes yummy.     (I'm not asking too much, am I?)   

Idea to share:  I found these party tray platters at a garage sale last year (the big black trays with the clear, plastic dome lids) - which are great to fix things up and transport in.  It came in real handy when this past Sunday I took three of these platters filled with sandwiches to the workers in the fields helping with tornado cleanup.  I will get lots of use out of these platters.  Plus, if you fix the platters yourself, versus buying them pre-made at the store, you  save money and you can say "I made it".   

I'm also looking for a potato salad recipe - quick and easy.  Anybody have one they want to share?

Any yummy, quick snack ideas either?

With summer time here (or will be in a matter of days) - I hope to use the crockpot more so I don't heat the house up using the oven.  We have a grill - an old one - and don't use it very often (although, I know we should) - as that would reduce the heat in the house cooking too.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Bucky

[jstroble]

Here is a very quick potato salad recipe.

Small red potatoes, unpeeled, cooked and diced
Sour cream
Fresh Dill 
Salt

Actually it is quite tasty.  Amounts are whatever taste good. 

Joyce

[Pisces24]

I'm sorry I don't have a recipe to add but I just wanted to tell everyone out there to appreciate your families no matter how much of a "trial/pain" they are.
I have no family so I am just "that extra person" the relatives sometimes remember to invite to events.

Enjoy your overprotective fathers, funny uncles, crazy aunts and cousins who are on their umpteenth marriage. Unique people break up life's monotony. LOL 

[lighthouse33]

This is not my recipe.  My mom went to a cocktail party where ladies brought appetizers and wine.  The hostess raved about this particular recipe and asked the lady who made it to give it to her.  My mom didn't get a chance to taste it.  Said there was a ton of food!

Berry Blue Cheese Spread

1 cup dried blueberries (1 pkg)
1 cup boiling water
2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
6 oz. blue cheese, coarsely crumbled
2 green onions, chopped
3 T. sour cream (or as needed to make spread -
spreadable)
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Assorted crackers

Place dried berries in a small bowl.  Pour boiling
water over berries.  Let stand 1 minute.  Drain, set
aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and blue
cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until
nearly smooth.  Stir in drained berries, green onions,
chopped pecans and garlic, just until combined.
Transfer spread to a serving bowl.  Cover and
refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving.

Enjoy!

[SLEEPY101]

I made a fruit pizza for my Dad this weekend. It was easy and yummy.

1 package sugar cookie dough
1 tub 8oz whip cream/I used sugar free
I package cream cheese/room temp
1/3 cup sugar/I just used a spoon full
Recipe call for 4 cups strawberrys sliced.  I used a box of strawberries, two nectarines, and a box of blue berries
1 tub strawberry gel 8 oz

Flatten cookie dough in pizza pan. Bake until light brown.
Mix whip cream,cream cheese,sugar
Spread on top of cookie crust
Take slices fruit mix in gel
Arrange on pizza
Enjoy!!!!

[Bucky]

You know how you shouldn't go to the grocery store when you're hungry?  Well . . . you shouldn't read this thread when you're hungry either!!!  Everything sounds sooooo good.  I will glady accept samples of any of them.   

I have a dessert recipe to share that I got from a friend . . . but, I'm eating my dinner first . . . . stay tuned.     LOL

Bucky

[eyeamdry]

I just bought a deviled egg carrier at Walmart tonight!  They were such pretty colors and only $4.  We are going to a neighborhood party this weekend and guess what I'm bringing in my pretty blue deviled egg carrier?  Yep.  I hate to cook and deviled eggs are sort of a pain, but not really cooking and I can manage them and as someone said, they are usually the first thing gone.  Lucy

[Bucky]

As promised . . . . 

PRETZEL SALAD

2-2/3 cup coarsely crushed pretzels

1-1/2 stick melted butter (use the real stuff)

2 pk. of strawberry jello

2 - 10 oz. pkg. of frozen strawberries (thawed)

1 large can of crushed pineapple (drain really well - squeeze all liquid out - use paper towel if you need to)

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

1 cup sugar

8 oz. Cool Whip



Mix together pretzels and butter and press into bottom of 9x13 pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes - then put into freezer.

Add 2 cups boiling water to 2 pkg. of strawberry jello.  Stir until dissolved.  Add 2  - 10 oz. pkg. of frozen strawberries (thawed) and 1 lg. can of drained crushed pineapple.  Refrigerate slightly.

Beat 8 oz. softened cream cheese with 1 cup sugar.  Fold in 8 oz. Cool Whip.  Spread cream cheese mixture on pretzel base.  Pour slightly thickened jello mixture on top of cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate - preferably overnight.

(Don't make this too far in advance - maybe 8-10 hrs. before you're going to eat it.  If you make it a day or two early, the pretzel base loses its crunchiness.)

Enjoy!!  I could eat the whole pan of this stuff all by myself!!      

Note:  I'm not sure if you can use "fresh" strawberries or not - I'll have to check with my friend and see what she says - the recipe she gave me calls for frozen strawberries, thawed.

[SLEEPY101]

Bucky,
  Sounds tastey!!! Can't wait to try it.

Here is a recipe I take to potlucks. It takes good and very easy to make,no chopping needed. It's not the most attractive dish but once you get past that it's very good.

The original name is GARBAGE DIP I call it Veggie dip it sounds more appitizing:) Danger-can be very spicy depending on how hot jalepenos are

1 package cream cheese/room temp/I use non fat
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 small can corn/drain
1 small can chopped green chilis/drain
1 small can chopped jalepenos/drain
1 smal can chopped olives/drain

Mix all items together. I use my electric mixer. Chill until ready to serve

Serve with baby carrots,celery sticks,crackers,chips or whatever your heart desires