Pot Luck Suggestions

[jcme]

Tuesday we are having a Cinco de Mayo pot luck and I'm looking for suggestions.

I was thinking of getting something at Costco for sake of simplicity but would really prefer to I'd like to make something. Since I don't like fighting for the limited microwave resources during pot lucks, I prefer something that can be served cold or room temperature.

Thanks

[Carmen]

It's too late for your Cinco de Mayo party, but everytime I bring this to any dinner event, people gobble it up and request the recipe. It’s so fresh-tasting and different from the typical tired old salads that have appeared on buffet tables for years. My sister-in-law, from whom I received the recipe, sometimes adds a clove of minced garlic, and sometimes she does half brown rice and half wild rice.

Nutted Wild Rice Salad

1½ C. uncooked wild rice
1 C. coarsely chopped pecans
¾ C. yellow raisins
Grated rind of one orange
1/3 C. chopped fresh mint
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/3 C. olive oil
1/3 C. orange juice (or a little more, if salad seems too dry)
1 t. salt
Black pepper to taste

Cook the rice as directed on the package, but substitute canned chicken broth for the water. Add remaining ingredients to the cooked, cooled rice. Toss gently, adjust seasonings to taste. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to develop. Serve at room temperature. Serves 8-10 as a side dish.

[Carmen]

Here is another tasty salad that can be served at room temperature.

Chopped Mexican Salad

Dressing:
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 C. olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Salad:
Corn from 2 cobs of cooked corn
1 C. diced green beans, blanched and cooled
1 C. grape tomatoes, or halved cherry tomatoes
½ C. chopped fresh cilantro
½ C. chopped red onion
½ C. chopped green pepper
½ C. chopped red or orange pepper
½ C. chopped celery
1-2 cloves finely minced garlic (optional)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 T. finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)

For dressing, whisk olive oil into the lime juice, and add salt and pepper. Mix remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and toss with dressing. Add a little extra oil if it seems too dry. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Serves 8 as a side dish.

[jcme]

Thanks Carmen.

It may be too late for today's pot luck, but we have another coming up for the larger group shortly and I'll keep these in mind. They both sound yummy!

Take care