ISO of menu/recipe ideas
 

I'm hosting the VFW Aux and their spouses next month...

I"m in need of easy, make ahead recipes.
There will be about 20 of us. Tend to be a older crowd
I'd prefer something that be assembled ahead of time and cooked or warmed up quickly
I"m open to sandwiches, dips, pastas, etc or other.

I'm tired of the same ole bland sandwiches.......

What about 2 or 3 soups made, in the crocks and awaiting.

Serve with an assortment of breads and rolls, cheeses, and butter, along with a veggie tray.

Simple. Filling. And always a hit!

Soups are great idea. An easy one is a can of pumpkin puree (not pie filling) and a can or box of chicken broth. It is a blank slate and you can add seasonings of your choice. I quite often use fresh grated ginger, salt and pepper. I am a big fan of Penzeys mixed seasonings.

This Beef Stroganoff recipie is made in a crock pot and is delicious. Once it is done cooking, add your cooked noodles and keep on warm. You can have bread and salad on the side.
http://thecrockstar.blogspot.com/200...troganoff.html

Greek Spinach Pie Braid made with Crescent Rolls in the tube.

I make a one dish casserole from Beef Rice-A-Roni and ground chuck. 1 family package of Beef Rice-A-Roni and 2 lbs ground chuck (fixed in crumbles). Prepare ground chuck and drain. Prepare Rice-A-Roni as directed. Add ground chuck, 1 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce (I use honey BBQ), and 2 drained cans of whole kernel corn. When it comes time to serve, simmer for about 10 minutes or place it in a 9 x 12 baking pan and place in the oven until heated. Then add shredded cheddar cheese to the top, cover and let sit until cheese melts. My family loves it served with a salad.

How about Neptune salad?
1- 2lb pkg Imitation crab meat(thawed and cut & separated) You can substitute Canned Chicken Breast meat for the Crab, just make sure you drain and blot dry.
1- Bunch Celery (chopped on an angle to look pretty not bigger than 1/2 inch)
2- Bunches green onions (chopped at an angle not bigger than 1/2 inch)
1- 1lb Medium-Sharp cheddar cheese (cubed not more than 1/2 square)
1-2- cans Sliced Black Olives (drained and rinsed once and allowed to dry a bit)
1+ cups Sour Cream
2+ TBSP. Heavy mayo (By Heavy I mean not a runny brand, you want it to be thick)
1-2 TBSP. 12 meshCracked(very course) Black pepper

Mix first 5 ingredients and add Mayo and Sour Cream. Consistency should be just a little dry as celery will weep a little overnight. Add Cracked Black Pepper.
I do not add any seasoning salt to it because the Surimi (imitation crab meat) has plenty in it.
You can serve right away or even wait a couple days in the fridge.
You can also add about 1-2 TBSP of Prepared Mustard or Grey Poupon if your taste buds run that way.
You can also chop ingredients smaller and add more mayo for a wonderful sandwich filler.
Hope this is helpful.. :cool:

How about slow cooker BBQ pork? Get a boston butt, add a 12 ounce bottle of Coke and cook on low for 8 hours. Drain most of liquid, shred meat with forks. Have buns, bbq sauce and some coleslaw so everyone can make their own sandwiches?

Here's a great side salad:

Grape Salad
4 lbs. seedless grapes, washed and dried
Mix together: 8 Oz. cream cheese
5 Oz. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix with grapes and put in a casserole dish.
Mix together: 1 ½ c. chopped pecans
1 c. light brown sugar
Put brown sugar and nut mixture on top and refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving.

Baked potatoes, and have chopped beef BBQ, sour cream, cheese, chives, and butter so each can stuff his/her own. A big salad and a dessert.