Looking for a potluck suggestion

[RacerBill]

I'm going to a potluck picnic this weekend. I used to make pasta or potato salad, or some sort of dessert. But I thought this time I'd try to make something reasonably healthy.

Anyone have any favorites that can be made inexpensively to serve 30-40 people?

[BamaDave]

I'm not sure why this popped into my head, but I like Asian Slaws. Google for recipes if interested - there are a lot of variations. I believe a lot of them are made with vinegar and soy sauce, so they're not mayonnaise-based. Plus you can add nuts to them and even broiled chicken.

Fruit salad is always well-liked -- although you may get grumbles if you don't load it up with sugar. Maybe bring some sugar on the side or use Splenda and see if anyone notices?

[TrainingGirl]

I make a pasta salad that is fairly healthy, and a kick-ass salsa that everyone loves(but then you'd have to have chips...which I buy the lower fat ones), and I have an appetizer you make with wraps and then cut up into smaller portions. If any one of those sound good, let me know and I'll send it to you. The salsa is probably the cheapest to make but it's also the biggest pain because you have to cut everything up so small.

[RacerBill]

Thanks for the neat ideas! I guess I was in a bit of a stew since it's been a while since I've done a potluck like this -- and this time, now that I'm committed to eating clean, I feel I should bring something I can eat without guilt. My famous brownies will won't make an appearance this time.

Hmmm... I think I'll hit the farmers' market early Saturday and see what looks good. I'm leaning either salsa or Asian slaw (and now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure Cooks' Illustrated has had recipes for both within the last year or so... I'll have to dig through my back issues.)

Thanks for the inspiration!

[TrainingGirl]

Mmmmm...are they Ghiradelli brownies?? Those are the best brownies I have ever had. Rich, moist chocolate with hunks of chocolate chips...ohhhhh...now I need some.

[RacerBill]

No, sorry to disappoint you. I usually make the Hershey's cocoa recipe -- with a few of my own secret twists. [img]smile.gif[/img]

As it turns out, got some tomatoes at the farmer's market and thought about your salsa idea. Stopped at the grocery store and saw they had avocadoes really cheap -- 99 cents a pound. That convinced me to make tomato-avocado salad. The clerk tried to ring them up for 99 cents each, and I pointed out the sign to her. She called the produce manager, who quickly corrected the sign and told her to ring me up for 99 cents/pound. So I got a deal! [img]smile.gif[/img] I ended up making salad: equal parts chopped tomato and avocado, about 1/3 or 1/2 as much thinly sliced red onion, dressed with vinegar and olive oil, with salt and pepper. It's incredibly simple but a number of people told me how much they liked it.

I ended up eating all sorts of other stuff I shouldn't at the picnic, but it was a great time.

[TrainingGirl]

Sounds great RB. Do you know I have never had an avocado? Crazy, huh? I really should try them one day.

[poopy pants]

Originally posted by TrainingGirl:
Sounds great RB. Do you know I have never had an avocado? Crazy, huh? I really should try them one day.

GUACAMOLE


4 avocados
chopped onion
chopped tomato
1 clove garlic
squirt of lime juice
½ bunch cilantro
salt
pepper

Blend all ingredients to desired consistency.

[RacerBill]

What, no shot of tequila in your guac? That probably would have convinced TG to try it!

[TrainingGirl]

Originally posted by RacerBill:
What, no shot of tequila in your guac? That probably would have convinced TG to try it!

LOL...actually...tequila is one taste I really am not crazy about. Serve it with a cold Corona though and I'm there

It does sound good TS...I'll have to try it. Thanks [img]smile.gif[/img]

[poopy pants]

You're welcome TG.