Tomorrow we're having a potluck at school...and I need to bring something, but I have no idea what! Can you guys give me some ideas? I'd prefer it was something that could be served cold.

Potato chips and similar snacks? Crackers, cheese cubes? Condiments? Cookies, cupcakes, brownies? Soda/juice/bottled water/ice? Even paper plates, napkins, cutlery....I'm not much of one for cooking for a crowd, there were those in the PTA who really liked to cook and it was left to them. I brought chili in a crockpot once which went over well.

How about tabouli? It's easy to make, and people generally like it. This recipe looks pretty good, though if I was making it, I'd use less mint:

http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/tabouli-recipe.html

Oh, yeah--and I think I'd add some rinsed chickpeas, too.

One of my most successful summer pot luck dishes is potato salad made with yellow potatoes (white is fine if you can't find the yellow ones). The major difference is that instead of mayo and other possible creamy dressing ingredients, I use olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead. Best to lightly toss in the dressing while the potatoes are still warm. I don't have a recipe. I just do it. I also add onions (red or green are good), garlic, celery and lots of chopped parsley.

How about a fruit salad? Cut up a variety of fruit (no pineapple...too acidic), sprinkle on a package of vanilla instant pudding and toss. YUM.

Rice salad is nice in summer - cook rice, let it come to room temperature, add chopped cucumber, tomato, green onions, parsley or dill, vinaigrette. Lightly toss.

Ideally, fried chicken, which is great at room temperature.

Also, tortilla espanola, or a Spanish potato omelet, which is always served at room temperature. You can make it the night before, let it cool, put it in the fridge, and let it come to room temp an hour or so before serving. Cut it into pieces and spear each piece with a toothpick, if you want. There is a thread on this forum about it. Go borrow or buy Penelope Casas's Foods and Wines of Spain, and read her recipe, and go try it out. Use waxy potatos, and have an extra amount of potatos and eggs in case your first attempt does not work out.

I also like to make a chicken liver pate, and serve it with pitted black olives and some sliced French baguette.

I think that Million Dollar Cake that Laemco posted a few strings back would be a huge hit.

I ended up making a broccoli & rice casserole. I got the recipe on the net. I always get nervous when people eat my food...I want them to like it.

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'Hello Clay . . . I wasn't much of a cook, but I did master a delicious, rum cake! Next time, take that to your little gathering. Everyone will love it . . . and, stop being so nervous. Try to be calm and cool, like Cousin Kaye.'