Favorite food to bring to gathering?

[Rosehip]

'Tis the seasons for weekends away, and outdoor gatherings, it seems! What are your favorite things that you make for casual summer entertaining or to bring with you when you're invited to someone's house or for a picnic or tailgate? My standby is veggies with dip (adapted from the Knorr packet recipe - it is always a huge hit), but would love to hear what others do!

[PancakesMancakes]

I always bring my carrot, mint, and goat cheese pastry puffs, yum

[lakeruby]

I love a nice bean salad. There are some truly delicious recipes in the Rancho Gordo Heirloom Beans cookbook...

[ollyoxenfree]

I used to like to bring dessert, but I found that other people do too. So I've been to a few gatherings where there's lots of desserts, but very little substantial dishes.

Now I usually offer to bring a salad, and I'll try to make something other than the ubiquitous Caesar. In spring, I like an asparagus and strawberry salad, in summer I have a Nigella Lawson recipe for watermelon, olive, feta and mint salad that's delicious. Some others are broccoli salad, sweet potato salad, melon, watercress and prosciutto salad.

[Alyantavid]

Potato salad
pasta salad
fresh fruit or veggies and dip

[SpuglyRoo]

I try to find out what course the host would like something brought from. And I LOVE to use gatherings to test out new recipes (eaters beware! ) but these are some of the things I'll bring often:

appetizer/snack: salsa bean dip and corn chips (really easy, mix your favorite salsa with a can of rinsed black beans and some thawed (or drained canned) corn.

side dish: BBQ Macaroni Salad (cooks country recipe)

Dessert: Peach Crumble bars (cooks country recipe) or my new favorite Homemade Hostess cupcakes (you know the kind: chocolate cupcakes with cream filling, chocolate ganache frosting and the white squiggle icing decoration on top? I made these for Memorial Day for the first time and want to eat them every day they were SO GOOD!)

[Chicky2]

Grape salad is a MASSIVE hit around here.

Big huge platter of homegrown 'maters!

Big huge fruit platter w/strawberries, watermelon, canteloupe, grapes, blueberries--it gets HOT here so one can never have enough juicy fruit. One July 4 I spent most of my time replenishing the watermelon and tomato platters.

apple enchiladas

grain salad (quinoa, wheat berries, millet, etc.) w/lots of chopped veggies and dried fruit or fresh fruit that will hold up (mango is good) and pine nuts

roasted garlic and goat cheese stuffed portobellas (sp?!) topped w/toasted pine nuts and Italian parsley

cream cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon

salad made of red onion/zucchini or yellow summer squash, tomatoes, garlic, and lots of either parsley or cilantro, salt/pepper and sometimes a minced jalapeno

salsa w/chopped veggies or fruit and tortilla chips

hummus and pita

I could seriously keep going. A big platter of sushi is a good thing, too.

[Ola_]

Crab dip, whipped cherry cheesecake, or a simple green salad (mixed greens or spinach, mandarin orange pieces, almonds, vinegarette) are our usual choices, depending on what is needed and the season.

[columbusmomma]

Homemade icecream is always good too

[Vancouver Mommy]

Mango salsa.

[just_lily]

I have made this green salad with strawberries and feta for a number of potlucks and it has always gone over very well. I am making it this weekend for our church campout.

[calebsmommy25]

These two are def. my stand bys: layered taco dip and chips, and hummus and veggies/pitas/pretzels. If I don't have time to put something together I'll make a nice cheese plate with some fresh yummy bread and bring a bottle of wine.

[rainyday]

Originally Posted by SpuglyRoo

...my new favorite Homemade Hostess cupcakes (you know the kind: chocolate cupcakes with cream filling, chocolate ganache frosting and the white squiggle icing decoration on top? I made these for Memorial Day for the first time and want to eat them every day they were SO GOOD!)

Recipe, please? I'm now dying to try these!

[BetsyS]

I usually take black bean and corn salad.

[alsoSarah]

Oh, and SpuglyRoo, could you please post the peach crumble bar recipe too, please?

Thanks,
alsoSarah

[mykdsmomy]

Can you all come to my house and bring everything you just listed? Seriously, it all sounds delicious!

I'd love the Grape salad recipe

[jeanine123]

Grilled Panzanella Salad.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/i...ipe/index.html

[chezlyryan]

potato salad, taco salad, and for people I really like....pie.

[sarahn4639]

homemade herb bread if i have time or veggie or fruit platter. for a main dish i like to do bbq roast beef sandwiches in the crock pot because it so easy, inexpensive, and yummy!

[Koalamom]

deviled eggs!

Or take the easy way out and bring a whole watermelon.