Need a recipe for 4th of July

Hi Ladies...

I was wondering if you guys had a recipe for me to take to a 4th of July picnic at my friends house.  I want to take something the kids will eat, too.  I as just looking for a delicious, simple side dish to take.  I am making a diet coke cake for my dessert item,  I am not really into potato salad or macaroni salad.  I might make deviled eggs since eggs are on sale this week.,,, but that would just be an additional item.  Oh and I like easy, budget friendly, minor ingredient list recipes.  Thanks.

Any suggestions?

B 

This is one of my faves! I use the already bagged coleslaw mix with carrots and red cabbage in it, I think its made by Dole.

NUTTY COLESLAW

1 pkg. coleslaw 8 tbsp. slivered almonds 2 tbsp. sesame seeds 4 tbsp. sugar 8 green onions, chopped 2 pkg. Top Ramen 3/4 c. vegetable oil 6 tbsp. rice vinegar 2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper   Brown almonds and sesame seeds in butter. Mix coleslaw and onions in large bowl. Mix almonds and sesame seeds when cool into coleslaw. For dressing, mix together vegetable oil, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar. When ready to serve, break Top Ramen over coleslaw and mix. Pour dressing over salad, mix and serve.

How about taking a bread bowl and tossing in some bocconcini, salami or ham, some tomatoes, salad greens, with a vinaigrette of some sort.   Like an antipasti platter,  but in a bread bowl. 

We call this one "cowboy caviar" and the kids LOVE it. No, there is not a single fish egg in the batch...just yummy goodness.

1 Avocado -- diced (make sure it isnt too ripe or squishy...)
1 Large tomato -- seeded and diced
1 Can black beans -- rinsed and drained well
1 Can white corn -- rinsed and drained well
2 green onions -- chopped

Dressing:
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. olive oil
>pinch< salt
>pinch< sugar
Garlic and Pepper to taste

Mix all the veggies together, mix dressing ingredients then combine with veggies. Its best if it gets to sit for about an hour in the fridge, but if I am going to do that, I wait and put the avocado in right before serving it, so they dont turn brown in the fridge. Its the beans that soak up the dressing anyway. I serve this with the tortilla "scoops" not the frito ones. Its super tasty!! Very refreshing.  

hijack....hi sister...just had to tell you i miss you...hope you are doing well...would love an update and to see the kiddos....I think of you often as two of nathan's fav receiving blankets and often used are ones you sent us.....you are so sweet....

A simple fruit salad is always a winner as well. Especially when it's a nice day out and you have nice cold fruit. That's what I'm bringing. I actually went out and bought the stuff this morning and it looks so good I wanna eat it now - good thing it's in shopping bags and not all cut up.

I've go****ermelon, cantelope, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, kiwi, cherries, and raspberries. MMMMM.

If you don't mind trotting your crockpot along......do a yummy Mac & Cheese. I almost always take this to picnics and there's never enough! LOL. Here is the recipe I use.




Time: 5-6 hours in the slow cooker.

What You Need
• 8 oz. macaroni, cooked and drained
• 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

What To Do
1. Spray the interior of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Place cooked macaroni in bottom, then toss in the other ingredients on top. Reserve 1 cup of cheddar cheese, however, as the final thing into the cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until mac & cheese is firm with golden edges.

Jo,
Do you beat the eggs before adding?

edited: for spelling

Yes, you do.........and it's so easy.....so yummy and soooooo not WLS friendly! LOL

Sounds go good..... I can't wait to try it. Thanks!