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

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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.
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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)

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Susan Tencza

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