Need ideas for pot luck bbq 4 hours away!

[scbpooh]

So this coming weekend we are going out of town to see some of hubby's relatives 4 hours away. We are leaving on Friday after work so we can spend the whole weekend. On Saturday night we are meeting in the park for a pot luck bbq, and i have no idea what to make or bring??? Has to be something i can either buy or make on Friday and be ok to make a 4 hour drive. I will have access to a fridge once we get there but that doesnt get it there in one piece! I was thinking of just picking up a watermelon but I was hoping maybe you guys could throw some other ideas at me very quickly of something else i could possibly do????

[stacymarie]

you could make a pasta or potato salad of sorts...put it in a cooler with ice for the ride there...
Cake or another dessert...cookies....

[scbpooh]

Hubby's aunt is bring a cake, Grandma is making a ham and bean salad (yuck!). Thats all i was told so far. i know for a fact im going to have to feed my son before we go because he is such a picky eater i know he with probably eat nothing there!

[stacymarie]

ham and bean...sounds interesting :s .... what about lettuce and such for a Cesar or garden salad?...pulled pork in a slow cooker?
if you have access to a bbq you could grill some veggies....or corn on the cob....
make a punch with some fresh fruit cut up in it.

[DianneS]

You could pick up the fruit for a platter and then put it together on Saturday afternoon. To make it a little different and easy to eat, put the pieces of fruit on bamboo skewers....

[DaveP]

4 hours away? Do the breads. Rolls and if they need buns for hotdogs, hamburgers bring those. You don't want to bring anything that can spoil in a hot car during a 4 hour drive.

And a 24 of beer.

[Natalka]

Marinated veggies - you can do them Thursday or Friday, and they'll be just right for the weekend. These need to marinate at least overnight, but keep well for three or four days.

For the marinade -
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c canola oil
1/2 c vinegar
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
(I add dill as well)

Whisk together well, pour over veggies in large bowl or container. Keep on counter, mix every hour for a few hours, veggies will shrink! Can put in another smaller container, marinate veggies in mixture overnight in fridge. Mix up every once in a while.

For veggies, I use carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, celery, mushrooms, and sometimes green peppers.

[scbpooh]

Thanks for the great ideas so far guys!

[MrsSunshine]

watermelon!

[Retiree]

How about a broccoli-cauliflower salad?

2 Cups broccoli cut into very small flowerettes
2 Cups cauliflower cut into very small flowerettes
1 Cup dried cranberries
1 Cup walnuts

Carry brocilli and cauliflower packed in water to keep crisp. Carry dried cranberries and walnuts in a zip lock bag.

Dressing:

1/2 Cup of oil
1/4 Cup of vinegar
1/4 Cup of sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together and carry in a jar

When ready to serve, drain water from salad makings and add dried cranberrries and walnuts. Shake up dressing. Toss salad lightly with dressing and serve

[scbpooh]

Thanks MrsSunshine, i was thinking maybe a watermelon and a couple bags of chips or something like that

[saveadollardiva]

Just a thought, maybe you can bring the plates, the forks and knives? we all seem to bring food but than can not put anything on it lol. Also, drinks are also great, waters, pop, juice, ice.

[Natalka]

Bring boxes of your free Nestea!

[scbpooh]

LOL I was kinda thinking of that Natalka! LOL Only thing is I would hate for something to happen to the FPC's in the boxes!

[i_love_to_save]

i make dip and buy the chips (tostitos)...
DIP:

1 tub of cream cheese
1 tub of cottage cheese
1 jar of salsa (i use old el paso) draine it a lil bit so it is not that watery.
250g of shreeded cheddar cheese
3 chopped green onions (my family don't like onions so this is optional)

Mix cream/cottage cheese...pour it on a container, add the salsa (spread it nicely to cover all the white spots) top it off with the shreeded cheese and onions.....

simple and delicious.... this is a hit at my potlucks....