New Potluck at Work

[Dissie]

Need ideas for a potluck at work. A lady is retiring after 40 years, and we having a potluck. Any ideas for anything different? Easy? Something perhaps served chilled? Or kept warm in a crockpot for 5 hours that won't dry out. So far I have taken pinwheels, macaroni salad, a jello salad (The 70's themed one) and cupcakes. I don't really need a sweet recipe since the company is having a huge cake for her. It is next Tuesday, so we got a week to come up with a good recipe! Well actually, have to know by Monday, so I can prepare that night after work. ;)

[Kchurchill5]

How about a layered salad. They can be really pretty; and, it doesn't have to be the classic one with corn, iceberg, mayo etc.

I have one with pears, nuts, and a cranberry dressing; but there are a bunch out there. There are couple of have made from that other site; but they are actually good. I haven't looked at actual recipes here, but I know there are a few too.

I make a Mexican one with black beans, a creamy cilantro dressing, corn, romaine and iceberg; but it also has tomato, scallions, jalapenos, and avocado. (Like taco toppings), a little sour cream as a topping.

I also have a recipe in my files for ones using spinach, bacon, red onion, blue cheese, raspberries, black berries, walnuts, and a creamy vinaigrette
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I also love salad bundles. I make a basic chopped salad, but I like to add cheese, ham, turkey, celery, lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber, and toss with a light vinaigrette. Then add to a bibb lettuce leave and roll up. Secure with a toothpick. Mini salad bundles. They are great 2-3 bites salad NO forks needed. You can use salami instead of ham or turkey, and even mozz instead of cheddar. Go any flavor.
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How about a quiche, done in a 13x9 pan; then cut into squares. You can reheat for 2-3 min in the micro and good to go. Even room temp. Make it crustless
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One thing I have done before is mini meatloaf sammies. I make a couple of small loafs, cool and cut. Add them to the small party bread you can buy. I love the rye, add a little mustard, lettuce, and a small thin slice of meatloaf. They are served cold. Make ahead, and they are delicious. And the party bread is only 2x2 so, it is just a couple of bites. I usually jazz it up by adding horseradish and honey to the mustard, and maybe a thin red onion slice too. Just slice the meatloaf thin
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Another favorite that I have taken to potlucks is my vineyard salad, for some reason, I can't access the link right now. It is a mix of white and brown rice, grapes, white and red; and a red wine vinaigrette. Served chilled. It's a nice spring/summer salad

Just a couple of ideas.

[Dissie]

Thanks Kim, Those are some good ideas. I hope more people chime in too. See the other hours I worked. We started at 3 and had supper break at 5-6:30 (people came in groups at different times during that hour and half.) So you didn't have to keep the food warm very long, or cold very long. On day shift. Our lunch starts at 11:30-1:00. We start at 7 am. SO that is keeping the food hot for a long time in the crock pot. My fear is it will dry out. I could add liquid between 8:30 to 9:30 am, depending on when I get to take my first break.

I have even been thinking of beanies and franks. Easy. Will stay warm in crock pot and who don't like that? I can add water halfway through the time to make sure it don't dry out.

[Engrossed]

Here's some of the recipes I have that people love at potucks. When I worked, I was the potuck Queen, and I would always bring several things and print out the recipes and put them by them:

Most Requested: Rice Chile Verde
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/rice-c ... orite-2082

Fresh Green Bean Salad
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/fresh- ... salad-5938

Cardamom-Flavored Fruit Salad
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/cardam ... aakih-9144

Baked Tortilla Wheels With Pineapple Salsa
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/baked- ... salsa-4512

Zippity Zingity Coleslaw
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/zippit ... eslaw-1462

Hearts of Palm Guacamole
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/hearts ... amole-9005

Creamy Peanut Butter Whip
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/creamy ... -whip-9084

Most Requested: Perfect Purple Punch
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/perfec ... punch-1700

[Dissie]

I love the sound of the punch. Usually we say, provide your own drinks. Hmmmmm Might be great to have a punch.

[Deepster]

In that case, Dissie, I say go with a punch, especially if no other offers of a beverage are coming through. There are SSSSoooooo many good punch recipes, here, and "out there" that you're sure to come up with something different, yet enjoyed by all. Do something a little different, and you'll shine

[Kchurchill5]

The only thing with punch, make sure that you don't add ice ... on the side. Otherwise it gets watered down.

[Engrossed]

I use 3-5lbs Dry Ice and it keeps it cold/frozen all day! ;)

[Kchurchill5]

I was going to say dry ice too. I worked at a marine lab, so we always had it. I wasn't sure how many are comfortable using it.

It works great. For catering we use it often to keep stuff cold

[Gerry]

Love potlucks and the sharing of recipes, one can never have too many recipes and hints for Potluck.

Long weekend here and family time, perfect time for me to add vegetable bundles, mini meatloaves and that Guacamole to my weekend make and takes.

Strawberries being exceptionally sweet and lush this spring has me adding our favourite spring and summer pink party punch to our back yard gathering on Sunday. http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/pink-p ... owers-2302

Keep the recipes coming, it's great to come in and browse for new recipes for our parties and gatherings.