Recipe help!

[SadieKate]

We've been invited to an Italian-themed potluck tomorrow for a friend's 3-year old birthday party. Dad told us (because I asked) the best thing would be to bring an appetizer/vegetable dish.

We don't cook Italian! What do we take? It's about a 90 min drive so cold or room temperature would be best. I've never been to their house so have no idea how easy it would be to reheat. I do have hot plates but that doesn't sound like a really good plan with children around.

I know you all with have some good ideas.

[snapdragen]

How about an Antipasto? Sliced cheese, veggies, salami, pepperocini........

[uk elephant]

How about some good foccacia? Excellent also served cold. Or just some good bread and cheese? Or some breadsticks? I'm a big fan of bread and cheese whatever the occasion....

Alternatively, bring some form of salad. Tomato and mozzarella sala for example. Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and proper fresh buffalo mozzarella tossed together with a bit of salt and pepper and olive oil.

[mimitabby]

nobody said OLIVES?!?

and for after dinner, a favorite Italian repast is fruits and nuts.
serve nuts IN the shell, and folks sit around cracking nuts and talking.
It is a most wonderful way to spend time.

[suzieqtwa]

Im not sure whats its called...but you slice a tomato ,add a slice of fresh mozzeralla cheese , some Basil leaves , top with balsimic vinegar,and olive oil You can make it at the party if you want. EASY>>>and good

[Kimmyt]

I second the Antipasto platter... I had to bring an appy for Xmas last year and did this... stopped at a good cheese shoppe/charcuterie and everyone was happy!

I put out provolone, buffalo mozzarella, a variety of pepperonis/salami, and wrapped melon balls in prosciutt. I also had a small side tray of cheese-stuffed olives and roasted red peppers. It was a hit!

It didn't take much effort, though it can get kind of expensive depending on how crazy you go with the shopping!

[slinkedog]

Hey SK! You could also do a cold bruschetta. Toast the bread pieces and make the topping. Port to the party separately and then assemble when you get there.

I also like the idea of the tomato salad with the mozzarella and fresh basil. Just make sure you use fresh mozzarella, not the kind in plastic wrapping. Here's a link to a recipe I am planning on doing soon for heirloom tomato salad:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/re...s/views/235735

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Im not sure whats its called...but you slice a tomato ,add a slice of fresh mozzeralla cheese , some Basil leaves , top with balsimic vinegar,and olive oil You can make it at the party if you want. EASY>>>and good

Wow Suzie I make that all the time! It's the greatest thing to bring to parties! People just LOVE it. And yes you can make it quickly right there on a platter. (Just make sure you get soft FRESH mozz, not the aged kind.)

[mlove]

I'm not sure whats its called...but you slice a tomato ,add a slice of fresh mozzeralla cheese , some Basil leaves , top with balsimic vinegar,and olive oil You can make it at the party if you want. EASY>>>and good

This is Insalata Caprese.

[SadieKate]

Thanks for all the ideas. I had thought about bruschetta which I adore but tomatoes this time of year. Not so hot. I guess I could buy hot house but it ain't the same.

[slinkedog]

Do you have an Andronico's or other upscale market that gets good produce year round? It will be expensive, but yummy!!

Maybe check out the page for Food Network's show "Everyday Italian." Giada de Laurentis has some really good and easy Italian recipes.

[Blueberry]

Thanks for all the ideas. I had thought about bruschetta which I adore but tomatos this time of year. Not so hot. I guess I could buy hot house but it ain't the same.

I had a killer bruschetta at a local restaurant recently - the base was butternut squash, and it was topped with julienned pears and sliced (slightly aged?) ricotta. Delicious!! And it was served at room temperature. So perhaps bruschetta with no 'maters?

[SouthernBelle]

First cook up some pretty pasta, maybe some nice multi-colored bowties.

Meanwhile, clean and chop some broccoli and cut some baby carrots into toothpicks. In a big hot skillet put some olive oil and garlic and let it start to sizzle. then add veggies and some salt, pepper and whatever spices you like. Stir it all around to coat. Turn it down to medium. Then add about 2 TSBs of water and cover snugly. cook til the broccoli is bright green, still a little crunchy.

Then mix pasta and veggies in a big pretty bowl. You can add a little italian dressing, maybe top with some cheese, basil whatever. Can be served hot or cold.

Takes about 10 minutes.

[Bad JuJu]

Olive salad (recipe below) poured over cream cheese and served with rounds of crusty Italian bread. Mmmmm......

This is called a Creole recipe--it's found in muffaletta sandwiches which are famously served in New Orleans at the City Market. BUT, it goes great with Italian meals as well.

Creole Olive Salad
Ingredients
1 cup pitted brine-cured black olives, such as Nicoise, sliced
1 cup large (queen) pimiento-stuffed olives, sliced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp minced shallots
2 tbsp finely chopped celery
2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp minced garlic
1-1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and mix well. If you want a finer mix, you can whirl it all in the food processor for a few pulses. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. (The salad can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.)

[Bad JuJu]

Addendum: Throw in a little basil and oregano if you like those flavors, and you can use scallions instead of shallots, and any old kind of parsley will do.