Ideas for something to bring to a summer potluck picnic?

[Diamond_Dog]

Location will be outdoors in a park with a pavilion and there will be access to electricity.

I need something that can sit outside in the heat for several hours or that can be kept warm in a crockpot.

[madaboutharry]

1. Nachos in a crockpot is nice for a picnic.

[Diamond_Dog]

16. That sounds delicious, madaboutharry.

You would need tortilla chips for dipping?

[madaboutharry]

17. Definitely has to have tortilla chips.

They are part of every recipe and there are a ton of recipes online.

[Warpy]

41. Or queso dip

One block of government cheese or one pound of Velveeta, cut into cubes. Dump in some R-tel Original diced tomato and green chile. One can for wimps, 3 cans for spicy. Keep crock pot on low. It'll be mostly gone by the end of the day, served with tortilla chips.

[woodsprite]

2. Sweet & Sour cucumber and onion salad.

It’s made with thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, dill, black pepper. The dressing is made from vinegar, water, and sugar to taste.

[snowybirdie]

13. Now this

one jogged my childhood memories. Wonderful and my dad made it! He was way ahead of his time.

[Diamond_Dog]

18. I would like that with tomatoes, too, woodsprite.

[Blue Owl]

3. Chilled coleslaw with lemon/garlic/olive oil dressing instead of mayo

Something like this (there are many more variations):

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/best-healthy-coleslaw-ever-no-mayo/

[Diamond_Dog]

19. That looks delicious, Blue Owl.

I love coleslaw. 🙂

[hlthe2b]

4. I tend to make tabbouleh salad--heavy on mint, diced tomato, cukes, lemon juice, olive oil because

is refreshing (especially with a heavy hand on the fresh mint leaves) and pretty impermeable to the heat and it goes well with the usual outdoor standard burgers, hotdogs, and other potluck dishes.

Pretty standard recipes, but finely dicing the veggies (with the bulgar wheat) is important and like this recipe, I too like to add a little cucumber (cukes).
https://www.themediterraneandish.com/tabouli-salad/

That you have electricity gives you more choices, but damn, in this heat, anything with mayo, icing, or that is readily wilted might be too much.

[Diamond_Dog]

20. That looks delicious, hithe2b

[GenXer47]

5. Borscht

[Diamond_Dog]

21. Well, that would certainly stand up to a warm day, GenXer47!

[Retrograde]

38. There are lighter versions of borscht intended to be eaten cold

I make them occasionally, along with cold cucumber soup and cold fruit soups. Soups may be a challenge for a picnic, though, since you'd need bowls and spoons as well.

[Scrivener7]

6. Orzo salad: Orzo, diced kalamata olives, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes,

feta, a little bit of apple cider vinegar. Delicious, easy, and will stand up to the heat for a few hours.

[Diamond_Dog]

22. Sounds delicious, Scrivener7

I love orzo salad. 👍

[Scrivener7]

37. Enjoy your party!

[ratchiweenie]

7. Super easy baked beans in a crockpot or a big baking pan of potatoes au gratin.

Good hot or cold and fill the big eaters up.

[Diamond_Dog]

23. Great ideas, ratchiweenie

You can’t go wrong with either of those dishes.

[Tetrachloride]

8. barley tea ( mugicha ). cold drink

[Diamond_Dog]

24. I have never heard of barley tea, Tetrachloride

How do you make it?

[Tetrachloride]

32. packets at Asian market. it's been a decade or 2

drink it in summer time

no caffeine

has gluten

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/barley-tea-nutrition-benefits-and-side-effects

packets in Asian markets

sugar optional

milk optional

hot or cold

[Diamond_Dog]

34. Wow, thanks. I'll have to try that!

[Tetrachloride]

35. previous post updated

[LakeArenal]

9. We used to make a nice finger food

Slice of ham with potato salad rolled into it. Cut in half use a tooth pick. They go fast so .

Sloppy joes are my favorite cock pot delights.

Also brats and dogs keep nice in a crockpot.

Also hot dog buns keep warm in a crock pot.

[Diamond_Dog]

26. Yum.

I fed my kids sloppy joes many nights when they were growing up. I never thought of hot dogs but that’s a great idea too.

Ham rolled around potato salad. Boy does that sound good.

[sprinkleeninow]

10. Corn Salad

[Diamond_Dog]

27. What do you put in your corn salad, sprinkleeninow?

[sprinkleeninow]

42. Either fresh or frozen corn kernels. Flash boiled to retain crunch. Or drained tinned corn.

Diced green bell and red bell pepper,
small dice red onion, coarsely grated carrot for extra color, oil and vinegar dressing (I'm quite fond of rice wine vinegar), sugar, salt, pepper, paprika. If it could remain refrigerated until serving, I'd usually dress it with a buttermilk dressing. But an oil/vinegar one is safer if left out until serving.

Enjoy! 🩷🤍🩵

[ret5hd]

11. Strong liquor. And earplugs.

[Diamond_Dog]

28. Haha ret5hd

I have a recipe for a white sangria that’s perfect for summer.

[woodsprite]

12. Or Cowboy Caviar

Diced celery, onion, red and green bell peppers, minced jalapeño to taste, 1 can each of black beans and black eyed peas (drained and rinsed), and a can of Nibblets corn. The dressing is red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, pepper/salt, and a few drops of liquid smoke. For the dressing, I usually start with a 1/3 c. Olive oil, 3 T vinegar and 2 T Dijon. I work from there going by taste and I have enough that it can puddle about and 3/4” deep in the bottom of the container.

This is great used as a salad or as a dip for tortilla chips.

[Diamond_Dog]

29. That sounds delicious woodsprite

I like cooking”to taste” too, I hardly ever follow a recipe directly. 🙂

[Sanity Claws]

14. Watermelon feta salad

I made one for a summer picnic and it was a big hit. I don't recall the exact recipe I used but there are several on line. E.g. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a5739/watermelon-salad-feta-mint-recipe/

[Diamond_Dog]

30. That sounds delicious Sanity Claws

I can’t get enough watermelon in the summer, it’s so refreshing 🙂

[Phoenix61]

15. Cheese tortellini pasta salad.

Cheese tortellini, thawed frozen broccoli florets, diced zucchini, diced sweet peppers, sliced black olives, lots of zesty Italian dressing. Is light but hearty.

[Diamond_Dog]

31. That's an interesting combination Phoenix61

I would have never thought to use cheese tortellini in pasta salad. 🙂

[Phoenix61]

39. It's my go-to summer pot luck. Heartier than regular pasta

but still a cold main dish.

[vercetti2021]

25. Taco Salad

Literally can do no wrong with that classic dish!

[Diamond_Dog]

33. Yum I love taco salad too vercetti2021

😋

[Retrograde]

36. Farinata

a middle-eastern flatbread with your choice of additions - I use this recipe from the Guardian as my starting point. I'll be making it this weekend, without the asparagus, though. It's different, as well as vegan and gluten free - and it can be eaten at a range of temperatures.

[Diamond_Dog]

40. Wow, Retrograde! That looks awesome.

Kind of reminds me of an asparagus tart. Very cool.