Picnic and Potluck Pleasers....Would you Please Share Your Recipes?

[COUNTRYBUMPKIN]

I thought that it would be fun to start a thread with some of my favorite recipes that I make and take to summertime functions. This is really one of my favorite times to get creative and cook and share food with other's. Thanks!


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Chilled Oriental Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep. time does not include chilling time.

SERVES 6 -8 For Salad
1 lb of your favorite pasta, cooked per package diections and drained (you can also use linguine for this one. YUM)
1 1/2-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 cups frozen baby peas, thawed
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 red bell pepper, cored and cut into julienne strips
4 green onions, chopped
For the dressing
1/2 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 drops hot chili oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, peas, carrots, red bell pepper and green onion.
In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, canola oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and chili oil.
Pour over chicken pasta mixture and toss to combine.
Sprinkle on the sesame seeds.
Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

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Southwestern Baked Spaghetti Recipe

SERVES 6 -8
8 oz uncooked spaghetti, cooked
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Combine hot drained spaghetti, milk and egg; mix well.
Pour spaghetti mixture into a buttered 9X13 inch casserole dish.
Brown ground beef with onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large skillet; drain.
Return drained meat back into the skillet and add seasonings; Cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in tomato sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
Spread meat mixture over spaghetti.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

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Strawberry Salad
You may want to have this recipe handy for other's.
3 quarts 16 ounces strawberries, sliced
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice
16 ounces plain yogurt
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
16 ounces Cool Whip

In a large bowl mix instant pudding with yogurt. Blending in the pudding really well.
Add cool whip, strawberries and pineapple. Stir all together well.
Pour into large service bowl and chill overnight or several hours before serving.
I like to top with some strawberries sliced in half.

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Loaded Baked Potato Salad
6 to 8 potatoes, cubed (half peeled or half with skin)
2 teaspoons salt
6 slices bacon, diced & crisp cooked
6 green onions
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Miracle Whip

Cube and boil potatoes with salt.
Drain.
Crumble bacon and slice onions (including tops).
Combine sour cream, pepper and Miracle Whip.
Add to potatoes.
Add bacon, onions and cheese (reserve some of each for top).
Mix with potatoes.
Pour into baking dish.
Top with reserved cheese, onions, and bacon.
Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes (until cheese melts).

[Momto2Boyz]

Woo Hoo!

Well, we always have our basics: deviled eggs, potato salad, taco salad etc.

But here are some of my favorites:

Chicken Salad dip:

4 cans of chicken
1 1/2 cups of mayo (I use miracle whip)
bacon bits

Serve with crackers. So easy and always a huge hit!

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Potato salad recipe:
(this is a good recipe for kids, because there is nothing "crunchy" in it, which my kids hate!)
6 medium potatoes
1 1/4 c. mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 TBS mustard
salt & pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
1/2 cup relish
6 hard boiled eggs (coarsly chopped)
paprika

Peel and chop potatoes. Boil in water until just getting soft. While boiling potatoes, mix the remaining ingredients. Toss potatoes in dressing. Serve chilled!
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Homemade Cracker Jax:
Great snack for fireworks, ballgames, etc.
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
3 TBS corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp vanilla
8 cups popped popcorn

Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup & salt. Heat over low heat until melted. Cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Add baking soda and vanilla, remove from heat. Pour over popcorn and coat thoroughly. Bake for 15 minutes at 300 degrees.
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Cookie Salad:
(This is the recipe that everyone thinks will taste funny, but everyone always loves it once they try it!)

1 - 8 ounce tub of whipped cream
1 box vanilla pudding
1 cup buttermilk
2 small manderin oranges
fudge stripe cookies (largely chopped up)

mix pudding, let it set up. Mix pudding, whipped cream & buttermilk together. Add the manderin orange slices & cookie pieces. Serve chilled.
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Snickers Ice Cream Pie:
1 box Ice cream sandwiches
2 tubs of whipped cream
snickers bars (crushed)

Layer ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Mix whipped cream and snickers bars together and add to top of sandwiches. Freeze and serve frozen. So easy and so delicious!
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BLT dip (minus the L):
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 package of baco's
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup finely shredded cheese

Mix cream cheese and sour cream together until blended. Add baco's, drained tomatoes, and cheese. Serve with crackers or chips. Good chilled or warmed up with taco chips!



Ok, I think these are my standard picnic and BBQ recipes! I'm always looking for more, so I'll be happy to see what everyone else offers up!