what to take to a family reunion?

[MamaBee]

So this coming weekend there is a family reunion on my hubby's grandma's side of the family... and I don't have a clue what to take for the pot luck... any ideas? We don't now this family at all... outside of hubby's folks - we will only know one great aunt and a great uncle - the same great uncle who came to our wedding and left abruptly when he saw one of the guys from the band - apparently over some strike in the music industry that happened in the the 1950's!! hahah

So... I'm at a lost of what to take... any ideas?

[YepBrook]

LOL, Rebecca... I was just in awe of the # of great recipes you've pinned lately. ;) So, it's a potluck for dinner?? I love bringing appetizer-type things in the crockpot... like meatballs, or some sort of dip (I have an incredible spinach dip recipe (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-spinach-dip-ever/) that gets compliments every time). Cool dips are great if you're travelling to the party because you can pack it in a cooler & go. You can bring veggies, bread, crackers or whatever and even if no one like the dip they might munch on the raw veggies. Another idea is a basket full of assorted breads (multi grain, sourdough, etc.) with a tub of whipped butter and a tub of homemade cinnamon honey-butter (http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2009/12/homemade-gifts-cinnamon-honey-butter.html) or strawberry butter (http://www.marthastewart.com/318755/strawberry-butter) on the side.

[pewtertm]

We usually bring a veggie tray or salad. Main reason...we know it's something that we will eat and will be healthy. If you have picky kids, I'd say take something you know they will like, since you don't know what other people might be bringing.

[MamaBee]

lol - Brook - that is why I'm at a lost... too many choices!! :D

I'm liking something lighter like an appetizer or veggie tray... I see the weather it's suppose to be 88 and humid... lovely!

Please keep the ideas coming... ;)

[julifish]

I'm with Stacy, bring something that your son will like and other kids will like too. So many times there are lots of casserole options and dips, etc but not all kids (or adults) like their food mixed together.

Fresh fruit - watermelon, canalope, strawberries - maybe with a fruit dip?
Veggies and ranch dip
Cheese cubes (cheddar, swiss, chedder/jack, gouda with little tooth picks and maybe some grapes in the middle.
If you want to be fancier but still simple - some kind of fruit kabob or cheese, tomatoe, basil and pepperoni kabob.

My favorite thing to take to summer pot lucks is a pasta salad. Just rotini pasta, lots of chopped veggies, salami, pepperoni, cheese and then Ken's Lite Ceaser dressing and a tbsp of balsamic vinegar for a little extra something. Travels easy and if it sits out a little bit all the better so the dressing has time to let a little more liquidy.

[Jenn Barrette]

I saw some really cute appetizer/side kabobs on Pinterest that would be cute!

http://pinterest.com/pin/105130972521622576/
http://pinterest.com/pin/126382333263235883/
http://pinterest.com/pin/259097784781671052/
http://pinterest.com/pin/29906784995933538/
http://pinterest.com/pin/80150068339039020/

[AmberK]

a big huge bowl of watermelon! :)

[Darcy Baldwin]

I'm liking something lighter like an appetizer or veggie tray... I see the weather it's suppose to be 88 and humid... lovely!

Please keep the ideas coming... ;)

If it's going to be outside, definitely take something lite. We just went to one with my father's family, and everyone brought big heavy dishes and heavy desserts and no one wanted to eat (except the kids) because it was just too hot for that kind of stuff)

[YepBrook]

How about fruit on skewers?

eta: pretty much any of those fab kabobs Jenn just pinned. :D

[MamaBee]

hmmm... kabobs... interesting... and I have loads of those skewers since I couldn't find the ones I bought and of course found them after I bought more... :D

[YepBrook]

hmmm... kabobs... interesting... and I have loads of those skewers since I couldn't find the ones I bought and of course found them after I bought more... :D

Skewers are great for family reunions... you can "accidentally" poke that family member that annoys you. :p:D

[glumirk]

If you need a good easy fruit dip, just beat together a package of softened cream cheese with a jar of marshmallow fluff. It's always a hit, and I usually get compliments from them men as well as the women.

[Jennilyn]

My SIL always brings Cheddar, Broccoli & Bacon salad (http://food.chatelaine.com/Recipes/View/Cheddar_broccoli_n_bacon_salad). It's yummy!

[nun69]

I am another one for fruit skewers, but if you aren't open to putting everything on the skewers, take all the extra fruits cut up (I also like to do marshmallows for the little kids} and let everyone make their own :) My kids LOVE to make their own skewers and that way everyone only gets the fruit they like :)

grapes(green and red)
watermelon
canteloupe
strawberries
honeydew
marshmallows
pineapple

[rach3975]

My kids are picky and most of the pot lucks we go to are for school or sports events where there will be lots of kids, so I bring very kid-friendly foods. Some of my go-tos are homemade rolls with butter, plain baked chicken, and buttered pasta. Fruit is good, too!

[jessica31876]

Id do a fruit tray-strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, apples, peaches, pineapple...whatever you have in season where you are.