Party / Picnic foods . . . or plain 'ole comfort food

[Bucky]

Here in the U.S., we're heading into summer (well, actually, not for another month - but, when the temperature is in the low 90's already, it feels like summer already!!) and that means lots of invitations or hosting of parties - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baby showers, wedding showers, weddings, etc.

I thought it would be fun to start a thread where you can post your favorite dish you take to parties.

Just this week I saw on a friends page on Facebook where she had these yummy cheesecake stuffed strawberries.  They look divine!!  I haven't made them yet myself, but I plan on it!

Ingredients:

1 lb. large strawberries
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
3-4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Instructions:

1.  Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry.  Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some of them are hollow already).  Prep all of the strawberries and set aside.

2.  In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy.  Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or Ziploc with the corner snipped off.  Fill the strawberries with cheesecake mixture.

3.  Once strawberries are filled, sprinkle or dip the tops with graham cracker crumbs.  If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

Yum . . . . doesn't this make your mouth water?!?   

Bucky

[Cheryl]

That recipe does sound yummy, Bucky!

It seems that most of the parties/picnics I attend are at my house, so I don't get to pick one item to bring.  When I do get to do that, I choose watermelon or a fruit salad when they are in season.  (I bought my first watermelon today.  Can't wait to try in on Monday!)

Happy summer eating, everyone!

[Gayle]

Hi!
This sounds great! I like to make a chicken salad and add everything I can to it... Grapes, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, dried cranberries, ummm... might need to make some soon!
Gayle

[Meld256]

In warm weather I like to bring a big antipasta salad, with romaine lettuce and lots of salami, pepperoni and cheeses, some olives and tomatoes.  Italian dressing on the side.

It's a little different than all the prepared Jello things, macaroni and such.  And with our family, there are too many desserts, so more veggies is a good thing, and everyone seems to really like it!

[xANTHONYx]

Here is what I usually bring to a picnic...

12 cans Mountain Dew

8 lbs cubed Ice

1 Styrofoam cooler

Combine solid ingredients in cooler, let sit covered for 30 minutes. For best results serve within two hours.

Considering I am a college age guy, that's about all I am qualified to bring...

[Meld256]

Cute, Anthony!   

Hey, some cold soda in ice is one of the best things to bring to a picnic 

[MissyLouWho?]

I make a big bowl of 'black bean salsa' (not really a salsa, more like chopped veggies) and serve with a couple bags of salty tortilla chips.

Chop roughly:
2 cucumbers (seeded and peeled)
1 big onion
4-5 really red tomatoes (seeded)
Add 2 bags of frozen corn
Add 2-3 cans of rinsed black beans (I've used anything from chickpeas to kidney beans, but smaller is better)
I nice healthy squirt or 6 ( ) of lime juice

Mix it all up and let sit a few hours for the corn to thaw and the flavors to blend.

It's healthy, holds up well in heat (won't spoil quick) and is delicious!

PS. You can substitute or add anything you like.  I've even added parsley or cilantro or peppers (sweet or hot) and it's still really good.  Everyone asks for the recipe and eats a lot of it because it's guilt free eating