budget cook=out sides

[SRRN]

that are a bit different,is what I'm looking for. ...not your usual potato salad or cole slaw. ...any suggestions?

 

[Marionnette]

Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/corn-avocado-and-tomato-salad-recipe/index.html

 

[Jedana]

black beans with roasted corn and red peppers, cilantro, jalapenos and lime juice. (maybe a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors) --served cold.

 

[HeatherC]

Panzanella Salad? Cube a loaf of day old crusty bread. toss with garlic, olive oil and sal and pepper and toast in oven. Let cool. Mix with tomatoes, red onions, black olives, fresh corn, fresh basil.

Make a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Pour over salad and let flavors mix for at least a half hour.

Feeds a lot of people too and is so good and inexpensive.

 

[SRRN]

these all sound delicious....keep them coming!!!

 

[HeatherC]

Forgot to mention...the NearEast Couscous and Taboule mixes are really good too. I make them and then doctor them up by adding extra olive oil, olives, onions, etc.. My kids love the chicken flavored couscous, so I make that with a ton of veggies and serve cold.

We also like a chopped antipasto salad. I chop up into small pieces a head of green leaf lettuce. Then I chop/cube up tomatoes, onions, fresh corn, some capers, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, pepperoni, black olives, etc., and any sharp salty cheese. I put the lettuce on the bottom and all the other things on top. Makes a nice presentation on a large platter. You drizzle olive oil and balsamic on top or just let people add whatever they like.

 

[luvmy3]

I usually do a different take on the traditional side, Instead of mac salad I'll do a pasta salad with veggies and non-mayo dressing.
Instead of regular cole slaw, I'd do an oriental cole slaw.
Instead of baked beans, I'd do a bean salad.
I love this potato salad (I add chopped bacon)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/...potato-and-green-been-salad-recipe/index.html

corn and black bean salad
roasted potatoes
baked sweet potato fries
mac & pesto salad

 

[deezeealum]

I made this last year for our block party and everyone raved about it.
Amaretto Fruit Dip
16 oz Cool Whip thawed in fridge
3 3/8 oz Lemon Jello instant pudding/pie filling
8 oz sour cream
1/4 amaretto

Gently whisk together sour cream and amaretto in medium bowl. Stir in instant pudding. Gently but thoroughly stir in Cool Whip. Cover and refridgerate for several hrs or overnight to combine flavors. Serve with sliced fruit. Just need to keep it on ice, but it was FABULOUS!

Also this is one of my friends recipes and anotgher fav! we omit the avocado.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/heathers-cilantro-black-bean-and-corn-salsa/detail.aspx

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/orzo-salad-with-corn-green-beans-tomatoes-10000001076679/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/ginas-orzo-salad-recipe/index.html

 

[marmalade]

You can do a cold tortellini salad. I get the tri-colored tortellini cook according to package, add any veggie I have on hand (tomato, onion, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms.......) and add salad dressing. I usually use greek but you could use whatever you like or have in the pantry. Different, at least at my functions and delish!

 

[SRRN]

anymore dessert suggestions?

 

[dzorn]

We usually do a pasta salad.

Pasta
Italian dressing
salad supreme

and veggies you want

Tomato
cucumber
green onion
carrots


Denise in MI

 

[Zhoen]

I made this last year for our block party and everyone raved about it.
Amaretto Fruit Dip
16 oz Cool Whip thawed in fridge
3 3/8 oz Lemon Jello instant pudding/pie filling
8 oz sour cream
1/4 amaretto

Gently whisk together sour cream and amaretto in medium bowl. Stir in instant pudding. Gently but thoroughly stir in Cool Whip. Cover and refridgerate for several hrs or overnight to combine flavors. Serve with sliced fruit. Just need to keep it on ice, but it was FABULOUS!

Dessert:
Something a bit reminiscent of the above: Strawberries romanoff.... equal parts stiffly-beaten (REAL) whipping cream and sour cream (NOT reduced fat), Cointreau to taste, confectioners sugar to taste... beat together and chill. meanwhile, clean and hull desired amount of strawberries, half large strawberries, but bigger is better. Serve in frosted wine glasses with sauce liberally poured over berries, but red still visible. Very pretty, ver elegant, and lick-the-bowl-clean good...

Sides: google "creamy cucumbers" (can be made with fat-free sour cream for calorie control, but better with regular); devilled eggs (everyone makes them different and I've never had a bad one...)

 

[nancycg56]

This is my most requested dish to bring to a cookout or party ~ http://www.food.com/recipe/cheese-tortellini-pesto-pasta-salad-126611 ~ it's delicious!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

This is my most requested dessert for cookouts:
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/335/Festive_Cranberry_Salad54345.shtml

Very easy to make and always a hit.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Paula Deens corn salad, I got the recipe from a fellow diser and it was a big hit.

2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 (10 1/2 ounce) bag coarsely crushed Fritos chili cheese corn chips


Mix first 5 ingredients and chill. Stir in corn chips just before serving

I added a can of black beans and used Doritos instead of chili cheese fritos. Just make sure you add the chips at the last minute.

 

[swilshire]

Cornbread salad is cheap and easy to make. We just throw in what we like, but it's easy to find recipes online.

Also a cold salad made of rice tossed with Italian dressing and whatever veggies you have in the garden is always a hit.

Sheila

 

[mom2val]

.

 

[Marionnette]

anymore dessert suggestions?

I made this for dessert today and got lots of raves.

Peel a fresh pineapple and slice into 1/2" rounds. Brush each side with canola oil and toss on the grill. Get a nice carmelization on one side before turning.

Slice pound cake and into 1/2" slices and put on the grill over medium heat. Toast well on each side.

Plate with pound cake on the bottom 1/2 of a slice of pineapple, small scoop of vanilla ice cream and top with a drizzle of carmel syrup.

So good!

 

[ragtopday]

Some great ideas here!!