[adcollins]

My daughter's preschool is going to be having a potluck picnic soon and her classroom assignment is main dishes. I work full time, so I can't make something that afternoon and I'd love to get a suggestion for something that I can prepare in advance and then run into my house and pick up on our way to the picnic. (We're vegetarians, but if it's easier to prepare and take something with meat, that's fine. I'm just looking for something that can be served easily outdoors and that I can make in advance.) I'd seriously thought about just getting a Chick-Fil-A tray of nuggets, but I'd rather not spend that much.

Thanks in advance!

Anne

[052001]

How about something in a crock pot, like macaroni w/sauce or vegetarian chili?

[adcollins]

Thanks. I should have mentioned that this meal will be outside in a park, so I won't have access to electricity.

I love the crock pot idea though. I only wish I could do that!

Anne

[sheababy]

How about those tortilla rollups? You could buy them but basically all you do is take a tortilla, spread with cream cheese or mayo (I imagine other spreads work as well), then top with a thin layer of meat, veggies-whatever you like, roll the tortilla up and cut into slices about 3/4 to an inch thick. Great finger food for kids.

[momraine]

What about carrot sticks and other veggies and a dip? That way you can leave it in the fridge till the party. Fruit is also popular with little kids. Slice up apples (if you dip them in a bit of lemon or orange juice they won't turn brown) cut grapes in half to reduce the chance of choking, section some oranges, even slices of banana's which your child can help with (using a plastic knife) Strawberries are expensive but kids love them. I have also done a fruit salad cutting up whatever fresh fruit is at a good price and then adding strawberry yougurt. For a fall theme, what about pumkin muffins or cookies? Oh and kids love cubes or slices of cheese too.

[dianneemily]

how about:
- little dollar roll sandwiches or finger sandwiches (you could do meat or veggie (peanut butter if no allergies)
- meat and cheese tray with crackers
- I like the above suggestion of the tortilla rolls - kids love them usually

[dianneemily]

another thought is this: do you have one of those pyrex pans that come with the insulated carrier (you warm the heating pad in the microwave and stick it in the carrier).
That way you could do something like mac n cheese or other crockpot dish and just transfer it into the pyrex dish when you run home. I would think the heating pad would keep most items warm enough. jUst a thought

[DPline]

How about a pasta salad that you could mix up ahead of time? Pasta and veggies could make it substantial enough for the main dish assignment, or you could add some diced up chicken or tuna or cheese as well.

[2xaround]

What about a veggie pizza?

Since it's a cold main dish, you could make it the night before and then put it in the fridge until pot luck time.

[robandjulie]

I do a taco salad that works well cold and is a main dish but a salad.

You chop up lots of Romaine lettuce and bascially fill the dish to the top with that. Then brown up some meat & shredded carrots and add the taco seasoning & water as usual. I do about 1/2 lb meat and 1/2 lb shredded carrots for a 9x13 dish b/c I am not a big meat eater. Dump on 1-2 cans of dark red kidney beans, sprinkle with shredded cheddar or "taco blend" cheese, and then drizzle on about 1 cup of zesty Italian dressing. I serve it with Cool Ranch Doritos crumbled across the top and as a side instead of croutons. You can also add diced or grape tomatoes, scallions, etc. Best if you give it 2-3 hours to set anyhow; serve cold or room temp.

Another option, probably a bit healthier and vegetarian, would be a something like falafals (chickpeas and such fried in olive oil) or veggie burgers (mashed beans, eggs, bread crumbs, seasons; fried in a little oil over medium heat). If you make them the day before you could just microwave them a bit before you head out and then serve them with or on some buns or pitas with some condiments on the sides.

[robandjulie]

Oh, and these are really fantastically good. Again, you can microwave them quickly before heading over so they aren't COLD cold and maybe provide some mustard or ketchup if people want them.

Ham and Cheese Corn Muffins Recipe | Ordering Disorder | Work It, Mom!

[Slatond10]

Have you thought about desserts???
brownies? Kids love those?
Cookies?

Other picnic options (not dessert) that can be made ahead and refrigerated :
Potato salad
Deviled eggs
Chips and Salsa
Broccoli salad ... I am sure you could make w/o bacon. but even my child likes this! :-)
Brie and crackers

[Aveasmom]

How about CAVATINI. Rotini noodles cooked. Pizza sauce, whatever pizza toppings you like (we use pepperonis,mushrooms,onions, mozzarella cheese.) Mix it all up bake it the night before (make sure you use lots of sauce if you cook the night before) the next day throw more mozzarella on top and microwave throw in a pyrex dish with cover and take off. It is wonderful. Make it all veggies if you want it would be good.

Denise

[myguatbabes]

Basically you take a pan of the pull-apart rolls and slice the whole pan in half. Then take 1 stick melted butter and 2 tbsp mustard and mix together and brush on both sides of the rolls. Take 8oz deli ham and chop it up and spread over top of bottom side, then top with 8oz shredded cheddar or mozerella cheese. Put top back on and bake in 350 degree oven till cheese melts. Store it in the fridge until ready to serve.

This one is good hot or cold! Also you could do a cold creamy veggie soup. Those are very filling and we serve them as a main course at our house a lot.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Blessings

[adcollins]

You guys are the best! Thank you for all the great suggestions. Now I'm just going to have a hard time choosing.

Anne