Recipes

[doxie1]

@CAcableGirl2

Fruit is so good because it is easy to prepare and delicious. I am loving some fresh peaches now.

doxie

[doxie1]

@novamc1

The tomatoes, cucumbers and onions in I talian dressing are so good. It is easy also.

doxie

[doxie1]

@hayseed00

Those pinwheels sound like potato chips in that you can't eat just one!

Great idea

doxie

[loisp]

My husband and I have been invited to a picnic for July 4.  I am the only vegetarian that will attend.  So my husband has a great recipe for a corn and bean salad which he will make.  We are also bringing watermelon.

[doxie1]

@MoJoV

Now I want to know what youare going to try. You have gotten a lot of great ideas.

doxie

[janeec]

Have a large salad bar.  As for meat, lunch meats, rotisserie chicken, etc. to go on the salads.  I have noticed that men like meats and beans, so add refried beans, cooked hamburger with taco seasoning, tortilla chips, etc.  

Or you can do what my mother taught us when in a pinch.  Go to the deli, buy their salads, and put them in your own dishes (hide the store containers as they are eveidence.)  When someone asks you for the recipe, tell them it is "an old family recipe and you are sworn to secrecy."   Chicken salad, ham salad, whatever in pita breads with lettuce, tomato,etc. 

While people like to eat, they probably enjoy being with you more.  Have fun.

[Eileen in Virginia]

My Aunt Cass used to make pickled eggs and beets for family picnics. I love them and it’s pretty easy to make:

2 dozen hard boiled eggs, cooled and shelled

2 cans sliced PLAIN beets, reserve liquid 

1 medium onion, sliced thin

1/4 tsp. celery seed

10 whole cloves 

White vinegar - amount equal to reserved beet liquid

3/4 to 1 cup sugar (start with 3/4 cup, taste and adjust as desired)

1/4 tsp. salt or more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

This is best made the night before you need it. I’ve found that Eggland’s Best hard boiled eggs are very good and use them instead of boiling the eggs myself. Sometimes I only use a dozen eggs for a smaller group.

Combine the beet liquid, vinegar and spices/seasonings to dissolve sugar and make a brine, which has a sweet and sour flavor (it shouldn’t be so sour that you pucker up). Pour into a large glass jar with a lid or a ceramic bowl with a tight cover. Add the eggs, beets and onions and stir to cover with the brine. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

The brine will turn the egg whites and onions purple, which usually gets everyone’s attention. Portions consist of an egg or two, with beets and onions.  Sometimes, I just serve it from the jar or ceramic bowl with a slotted ladle or spoon. If your gathering isn’t that casual, serve it in a large vegetable bowl with a slotted spoon. Store any leftovers in a tightly-lidded container. The leftover beets and onions are good in salads or on sandwiches. Any leftover eggs will get tough after a couple of days, but they’re still fine to eat and they make an interesting egg salad. Enjoy!

[jannabelle1]

If you have the grill going, you can wrap sliced potatoes or veggies (asparagus or sweet corn broken in half) in aluminum foil crimped tightly - add some butter, seasonings and a little water and grill them on high heat in the foil for about 30 or 40 minutes. New potatoes (unpeeled) and either sliced or quartered with butter, salt/pepper and onions in foil are awesome and easy to put together. Make several packets of them if you use a lot of potatoes to make sure they all are tender.

[queendiva]

Salads:

Orzo salad w/ diced roasted veggies. Can be made ahead and refrigerated. Serve at room temp with a drizzle of good EVOO.

Red and yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, mixed with very small cubed fresh mozzarella and basil leaves, all marinated in a little bit of Italian dressing or EVOO w/ Italian seasonings. No Mayo in either salad. Will hold up well in the heat.

Roasted pepper mayo pasta salad w/ basil.

French potato salad. No Mayo. Potatoes can be steamed in a pressure cooker.

[hayseed00]

Trust me they are so good people will ask for the recipe which I think is just about the best compliment a cook can get !!!!