Anyone got ideas for a quick tasty recipe for a super informal get together?

Question

The main course is pizza so it's a VERY informal gathering. This group does not eat meat & brownies & salad are already spoken for. I'd like to take something quick, easy, tasty & preferably cheap.
Yes. I realize I'm asking a lot!
All ideas are appreciated & thank you.

Answer 1

Dessert: Fresh Fruit – take advantage of fresh summer fruit while it’s in season. Serve alone in all its colorful beauty, or layer into individual parfaits with “real” store bought whipped cream (whipped cream often on sale and with coupons)!



Tip: When making parfaits, choose two different colors of in season fruit, like strawberries and blueberries for added interest.



FRESH FRUIT SALAD WITH ORANGE CREAM



2 apples, cored and cut into wedges

2 bananas, cut into 1 inch slices

1 tbsp. lemon juice

2 c. fresh strawberries

1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into spears

1 lb. seedless green grapes



ORANGE CREAM:



1 c. whipping cream

1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted

2 tbsp. chopped pecans, toasted



Sprinkle apple wedges and banana slices with lemon juice. Arrange fruit on a serving platter. Serve with orange cream.

Orange Cream: Beat whipping cream at medium speed of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Slowly add orange juice concentrate and beat until firm peaks form. Spoon into a serving dish. Sprinkle with pecans. Use as a dressing for fruit salad or as fruit dip. Yield: 12 servings.

Answer 2

Cut up some fresh veggies and make or buy some dip - dill dip, french onion or ranch.

Or bake a cake in a 9 x 13 pan. Cake is sufficiently different from brownies for some groups.

Or take along beverages.



It's harder to guess since you didn't say how many are gathering.

Answer 3

It depends what kind of dish you're asking for, as in whether it's for a snack or entree or a desert.

On the snack side i'd say make some popcorn, and have a few chocolates or crips.Cutting up carrot and celery sticks are good refreshments, with a bit of lemon juice on top. Cheese and crakers are simple and tasty, as well as crackers and dips =]

Answer 4

vanilla ice cream and some sliced fresh strawberries to eat along with the brownies

or

a relish tray of marinated artichokes, olives, and pepperoncini peppers

or

a dip such as artichoke dip or spinach dip with crackers



Easy artichoke dip:



1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 cup chopped canned artichoke hearts



Combine all ingredients. Transfer to a baking and serving dish. Bake at 425°F until bubbly. Serve with crackers.



Easy Spinach dip:

1 box frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 packet onion soup mix

pepper to taste



Mix together all ingredients thoroughly. Chill for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to mingle.

Answer 5

Baba ganoush- Eggplant humus

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds (2 to 3 small) firm eggplant, halved lengthwise

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lemon

• 1/4 cup, a generous handful, flat-leaf parsley

• 3 tablespoons tahini paste or soy sauce

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

• 2 bags pita crisps, any flavor (recommended: Stacy's)

Directions

Turn broiler on high.

Brush cut eggplant with olive oil on flesh side, drizzle over skin side. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper. Place flesh side down on nonstick baking sheet and leave under broiler 4 to 5-inches from heat until skin is charred and flesh is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes.

Scoop out eggplant flesh into food processor. Paste garlic with some salt mashing it with the side of your knife. Add garlic and the juice of 1 lemon to processor. Add parsley and tahini to processor and process until smooth. Adjust salt then transfer dip to a bowl and stir in half the pine nuts, garnish with remaining nuts. Surround the dip with pita crisps and serve

Answer 6

Macroni salad



u boil a pound of marcroni (bow ties work good)

then u cut up a pint of cherry tomatos

then thinly chop a red onion

then get a can of olives and chop in half

then a can of chickpeas (if likes)

then a bottle of kens itanlian dressing

mix all in a bowl and eattt

Answer 7

Don't know if pasta is OK for a "side" dish, but I love sauteeing carrots (julienne sliced) along with sage leaves in butter, then tossed with pasta. Yummy!