An unusual 4th of July picnic

8 years ago

We have friends who live on top of a high hill with a view of miles around. Every other year on Independence Day, they host a picnic for 100+ people. We are able to see nearly a dozen different fireworks displays in the surrounding community.

They used to have a potluck picnic of the usual burgers, salads, etc. but as the guest list grew, so did the litter and cleanup so they switched to a different party format. When you enter, you get a red plastic cup with your name on it that is your only cup for the evening. There is a hose with clean well water to rinse out the cup or your hands.

Beverages are iced kegs of beer and non-alchoholic birch beer, large dispensers of iced water, lemonade, and various flavored waters. Everyone brings a dish of food that is placed on tables for grazing. The only rule is that they must truly be finger foods - no plares, napkins or forks allowed. You can use something like tongs for serving the food but toothpicks are frowned upon.

It took sone getting used to but I wait every year to see all the creative dishes people bring. What would you take to that type of picnic? (i’m taking rare roast beef, spinach and tomato sandwiches with a horseradish spread on mini croissants.)

Featured Answer

seagrass_gw Cape Cod

8 years ago

Deviled eggs

Caprese skewers with halved cherry tomatoes, tiny mozzarella balls and basil leaf - drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze

Crab salad stuffed cucumber boats

Large pasta shells stuffed with tuna salad

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

User
8 years ago
Pepper poppers https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pepper-poppers/

Pimento cheese stuffed celery sticks.

Chicken salad on mini croissants.

Ham salad on mini croissants.
Susan Tencza
8 years ago
double stuffed baked potato.
Related Discussions
UPDATE: 4th Annual Rare/Unusual/Named Variety Seed Exchange
Q
Comments (78)
Hi there- I do hope all of the seeds have found their way home to you all- I did send a few of my this seasons favorites to you all (or tried to get them all in the return envelopes)- I thought I would show you a few pics- The very best Castor Bean I have ever grown is the New Zealand Purple. It was quite something to behold- over 10' tall and near the end of the season- the side branches were more that 8' across- and bronze and purple all the way through- The leaves had a sheen to them that shifted shades of the color as you looked at it. Many folks came down the driveway to ask about it... The aristolachia fimbriata has been a favorite of mine since my first participation in the RUNV exchange- Aristolochia Fimbriata, the White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe, is an excellent hanging basket plant. Its small stem, make it more suitable than other Aristolochia for basket culture. This smaller tropical vine climbs to only 1-2 meters. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. A rare find. A must for those who collect the unusual. It always attracts the attention by the strange flowers that are produced amongst the white-veined leaves. Flowers are solitary and are formed under the leaves. The cute little 1-2" long yellow and brown flowers, resembling miniature elephant trunks, are produced along the stem all Summer. The flowers are green on the tube, brown on the mouth entrance and veined purple brown inside. The mouth entrance has a bizzare and striking arrangement of hairs that stick out like a rough material. This is one of the most attractive foliage plants you can grow. This really cool deciduous groundcover Dutchman's Pipe spreads out to 3 feet on little green stems. Each rounded leaf is medium green, highlighted with dramatic silver veining. In Winter, the stems retreat back to the base if cultivated outside, so no invasive problems. Hardiness zones 7-9, (-15C/5Â°F,-5Â°C/25Â°F) in Winter. Aristolochia Fimbriata likes to grow in a light and airy place, but not in direct sunlight. Keep Summer temperatures from 68-78Â°F and Winter temperatures above 50Â°F. Water regularly during the growth period, once or twice a week. Water no more than once a week during Winter. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every third watering throughout the growing season. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil. That said- I put it in hanging baskets and forgot to water way too many times- and I almost never fertilize- and they still did great!! I bring mine in to overwinter- and they live through our long cold winters in the basement with hardly any light... Germinating tips- Soak 48 hours in hand hot water Time to germinate: 30-90 days (The usual time period in which a particular variety will germinate given optimum conditions) Temperature: 70-80Â°F (24-29Â°C) - a steady temperature is generally recommended - fluctuating temperatures can damage a seedling in its critical early stages Growth Medium: Peaty Sowing Depth: Sow on the surface, point end down and do not cover Light or Dark: No special requirements Slow or Erratic: Not all seeds will show at once - prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle and don't discard the container until well over the time suggested. The Morning Glory Wine and Roses (Heirloom Ipomoea Nil I found both on the web...), is the best ever performing MG I have ever tried! And the Triple Yellow Datura, var chlorantha- Well, you will find that all over the web- I do hope all have made their way home by now- and am very happy to have been able to host this swap- Thanks again- Julie
...See More
suggestions on dishes for 4th of July picnic? please?
Q
Comments (10)
oh, wait, also wanted to say, I totally get the post about not playing to your audience. I still remember the time I made homemade hummus and took a huge dish of it to my in-laws house for a cookout. My husband had never had hummus before and discovered he LOVED it, so he had asked me to make it for his family. So I whipped up this fabulous bowl of the stuff, made it extra garlicky, the way we love it, and put pita bread wedges all around the bowl. well, this was a traditional Mexican family who ate tortillas and carne asada and tacos and chips and salsa at their family gatherings. so of course, five hours later, the bowl sat UNTOUCHED except for what my husband and I had eaten. His family all just looked at it curiously, but avoided touching it. I kept explaining that it was made from garbanzo beans, similar to the pinto beans they all like so much, but they shuddered at the mere thought of eating it. you'd think I'd have learned with that one, but alas, I hadn't. last year's picnic was evidence of that. I will say, I also took a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies to last year's picnic and those were gobbled up. but the side dish I took was flat-out ignored.
...See More
QOTD - July 4th
Q
Comments (8)
Kate, that was thoughtful of you to post this for your fellow Americans to read. Being Canadian, I'm only aware of the general idea of the Declaration, but having celebrated my own country's birthday on July 1st I am very aware of how very, very lucky those of us on both sides of the border are that we live in such wonderful countries. Just a brief look at any newscast can reassure us of that. We aren't perfect,and have many problems to deal with from time to time, but we do have the rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness. Happy Independence Day to you all!
...See More
the birds took frogs junebugs for a 4th of july picnic
Q
Comments (3)
I see trouble brewing. I do not think that Frog has thought this through. Surely, there are other things on Frog's diet. But then, maybe the birds took his special prepared, chocolate covered bugs and now he's mad. You can't trust those Canada Jays. I had one take a slice of bolonga off my daughter's sandwich. When she looked away, that Jay dived in and snatched the last slice of meat we had. (True story)
...See More
User
8 years ago
Deviled eggs may be trite but you ALWAYS bring home an empty plate. Spinach balls are good -- can be served hot or at room temp and don't need a toothpick or a plate and they're "one bites". Bruchetta especially with tomatoes and basil. Mini cheese balls with a thin pretzel handle. (Use your favorite cheese ball recipe -- but they need to be made ahead and refrigerated before bringing).
Islay Corbel
8 years ago
Savoury cake. One recipe amongst millions...

Herbs and feta

Heat oven to 180c

In a bowl, mix 180g flour, 100g gruyere grated, 200g crumbled feta, 2 or 3 handfuls chopped herbs, 1 sachet baking powder - 11g, salt and pepper.

In a jug mix 100ml oil and 3 eggs. Mix wet and dry and bake in a loaf tin for about 1 hour.
2ManyDiversions
8 years ago
Ruthana, your rare roast beef sandwiches would be the first thing I’d gravitate to – sounds too good! What a wonderful idea, and how generous of your friends – I’m sure you – and everyone - had a fantastic time!

Seagrass, your caprese skewers is such a great idea that I’ve saved it! I also really like the idea of crab cucumber boats (cool and refreshing for a hot evening).

Islay, the savory cake you suggest is so interesting! I couldn’t help myself and googled just to see photos of savory cakes and stumbled across one with cheese and kalamata olives… oh my. Someday I shall attempt a savory cake...

Aunt Bill’s candy (I make this for winter holidays, but it’s good any time).

Baby back ribs (with bones removed but not shredded), caramelized onion sliders

Marinated mixed veggies salad on endive

Watermelon cookies for the kids (not so great in flavor, but I take these to any outdoor summer get-together with kids as they always love the way they look and gobble them down)
chloebud
8 years ago
I've done fruit slab pies for dessert. They can be cut into squares to eat by hand.
westsider40
8 years ago
A cheese and salami tray.
cathyinpa
8 years ago
Wow, there are so many great ideas here -- the smart cookie club. A true finger food party!!! I'd gravitate towards the roast beef too, Ruthanna, like 2Many. Actually, I'd pretty much take a taste of all of them -- and I just like this idea!!! I honestly thought of some type of tea sandwiches or some type of sandwiches made with a focaccia :) type bread. And the skewers are genius, and then I thought why not stuff the cherry tomatoes with mozzarella (I like tedious.) Then I started going down the bagel bite rabbit hole (making mini pizzas) then I started thinking about tortilla roll ups .... lots of options!!

I hope you have a great time, Ruthanna, and let us know the highlights!

CathyinSWPA
annie1992
8 years ago
Cathy, great minds must think alike, I also started thinking about the tortilla roll ups.

Actually, I might make cookies or brownies, but the caprese skewers sound good, as do antipasto skewers, although Ruthanna said that toothpicks are frowned upon so I don't know about skewers. I've made small cream puff like shells and filled them with reuben ingredients or chicken salad, so that would be an option for me, but if I didn't want to fuss, just tiny sweet potato biscuits stuffed with a bit of ham would do the trick too. Fried chicken/chicken nuggets are always good picnic food, but jalapeno and bacon corn sticks are a big favorite for my family too.

So, I'd probably do fried chicken or the cornsticks, just because I know those would be the things that would be eaten happily.

Annie
sooz
8 years ago
Wow, Ruthanna, with 100+ people attending, what kinds of items did they have, and which ones were the most popular??? It sounds like a fun time for all on Independence Day!!!!
cathyinpa
8 years ago
So, I'm leafing through this Half-Baked Harvest cook book, and I see Provolone and Salami Phyllo Rolls, and thought of you Ruthanna! HA! They look delicious enough that I may, possibly, tentatively, could try working with phyllo in the future:)

CathyinSWPA
nancyjane_gardener
8 years ago
So without any plates to fill, did you all just graze at the tables? Seems like it would get crowded at the tables!
Jasdip
8 years ago
I love the idea! And, no surprise there are some fantastic ideas from this bunch! I'm wanting to try some of them just for hubby and I!

How was it, Ruthanna? Do you have any pics to share?
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
8 years ago
While those roast beef sandwiches look yummy, I'm doubtful how many foods I'd want to eat in public - or in private either - with no napkins....?

Are people permitted to bring their own wipes, etc.?

An unusual 4th of July picnic

seagrass_gw Cape Cod

Comments (15)

User

Susan Tencza

Related Discussions

User

Islay Corbel

2ManyDiversions

chloebud

westsider40

cathyinpa

annie1992

sooz

cathyinpa

nancyjane_gardener

Jasdip

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US