We are having our graduation picnic this weekend. My daughter and 4 of her friends are having it at a local park. Any suggestions on some good side dishes that will stay fairly fresh either left out or maybe put on ice in coolers? I think the pasta salads with italian dressing would stay for a bit, anything else? Any suggestions on desserts? We have a cake coming too but we can always use good cookies or brownies. If you give me a good enough idea, I will point you in the direction of the free food!

We are having our graduation picnic this weekend. My daughter and 4 of her friends are having it at a local park. Any suggestions on some good side dishes that will stay fairly fresh either left out or maybe put on ice in coolers? I think the pasta salads with italian dressing would stay for a bit, anything else? Any suggestions on desserts? We have a cake coming too but we can always use good cookies or brownies. If you give me a good enough idea, I will point you in the direction of the free food!

I love fresh sliced cucumbers and vidaila onions in red wine vinegar dressing. Nice and cool and very tasty with any thing. Also, tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese and black olives. yummy

Fruit salad.

Fruit salad.

Mac salad.....pretty much any kinda salad.
Other'n that.....cold cuts.....anything you can put in a couple coolers.

Refrigeration is overrated, have anything you want. If you're healthy you will be fine. Just ask your grandparents.

I love fresh sliced cucumbers and vidaila onions in red wine vinegar dressing. Nice and cool and very tasty with any thing. Also, tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese and black olives. yummy

^This^

My ex-SIL used to make a fantastic Greek pasta salad that goes something like this:

1 box bowtie pasta
2 or 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
a couple handfuls of pitted kalamata olives
2 cucumbers, seeded and chopped
1 bottle Caesar dressing
crumbled feta cheese

Cook and drain the bowties, toss with everything else and let it set up in the fridge for a few hours before serving. It is scrumptious.

Seven layer dip

1 lb. ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 container sour cream (16 oz.)
1 small can chopped green chilies
1 large tomato, diced
1 small can sliced black olives
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 jar pace salsa
tortilla chips


Brown meat, stir in beans, chilies and taco seasoning mix. Spread meat mix into 7” x 11” serving dish. Top with sour cream then salsa. Sprinkle olives, tomato and onion on top. Cover with cheese. refrigerate and serve with chips

Thank you all for the great suggestions! They all sound great (btw) we will be at Kings Landing park......

1 Can each of garbanzo, black, roman (or pinto) and cannellini, drained and rinsed
1 smallish red onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
4 scallions, sliced
1/4 cup peppadew peppers (sweet/hot - see Deli or pickle section), sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
2 garlic cloves (I grate them on my hand grater, but chopped fine'll work too)
Pepper, to taste

Mix the olive oil thru pepper in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir well and marinate for at LEAST 2 hours before serving. No mayo, so it'll keep outside with NO problems!

(And if you have leftovers, make up some couscous or quinoa and mix together with the salad for a SUPER healthy lunch)

:howdy: