Does anyone have an idea for me? You know: the office party, bring a dish... I have to bring a veggie side dish and we have limited fridge and microwave space. Anything that can be kept either at room temp or with ice packs till lunch? And a bunch of vegans to boot! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

What if you did a veggie in the Crock Pot type of thing... Like Butternut Squash With Brown Sugar and Cinnamon or Asparagus Casserole?

Check out some of the veggie ideas on MichaelDC's thread here:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...e=0#Post1082979

Like Orange_Burst's Veggie Christmas Tree...

this is what i'll be making for our office potluck, roasted tomato caprese salad:

http://www.spiceplace.com/forums/share-r...ack-basics.html

i always get tons of compliments for this. good for the vegetarians. maybe the vegans can pick off the mozz? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

What I do in summer here in New England is to start with a simple base of sliced or chunked tomato, thin sliced onion, a little sugar, chopped fresh basil and parsely, and a dressing that is roughly 2 parts EVOO or light OO to one part balsamic vinegar, S and P to taste.

Its yum good all by itself, its good with grilled anything, ( even bread) and it really tastes best NOT refrigerated.

From there, I can go a lot of ways. I can bulk it up with cubed cooked new potato, corn kernels, blanched asparagus, blanched broccoli or cauli-flowerettes, toss it with baby spinach leaves or any other baby salad mix, tweaking seasoning and dressing amounts as needed.

If I were on Island, I'd be thinking about Mango chunks and sauteed/cooled plantains, and some jerk seasoning as add-ins.

Breeze

This is more like a corn bread plus, but oh, so good and it'll hold all day without refrigeration. Yum.


3 Corn Casserole

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (16 ounce) can cream-style corn, undrained
• 4 1/2 ounces corn muffin mix (1 box of Jiffy brand )
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

In large bowl, mix together butter, sour cream and egg.
Stir in cans of corn and corn muffin mix.
Spoon mixture into buttered 2-quart casserole dish.
Bake in preheated 375-degree oven, about 45 minutes.
Remove from oven, add cheese, stir well.
Return to oven, bake additional 15 minutes, or until dish is slightly puffed, bubbly, and browned around the edges.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

Hey, thanks everyone! The roasted tomato deal sounds like a winner- if I can find the mozz. Availability is always the problem here!

Breeze- They get plantains all the time, so was looking for something not so "local" and unfortunately mangos are not in season! LOL

Steve&Deb: Our local "pumpkin" is very similar to butternut squash- Next time I see some in the store, I am going to try that recipe!

Contessa: I LOVE corn casserole!!

Contessa, I made this a week ago <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> and there were no leftovers <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />.Thanks!!

Contessa, sounds good...without the cheese!

annie, Try it with Gouda! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
I know you like that...

Brian, but only a little at a time!

You go girl!! I often change recipes for my tastes.....go for it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

Contessa, I just took the casserole out of the oven. Of course I burnt my tongue tasting it! I did not have any Jiffy Cornbread Mix but did have Martha Washington Jalapeno Cornbread Mix and used that. Measured out 4 1/2 oz of it. Taste great! I think next time I make it I'll put a drained can of choppped chilis in it. I'm pigging out on this for my supper tonight! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Annie--That recipe has been posted here several times, first by Louise (fabila). When I make it, I put in some minced red onion and some chopped red and green peppers, for color and taste, and some more cheese. You'd probably skip the extra cheese though! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Did you put in no cheese at all?

Carol, I did put some gouda on one small portion of it but like it better without the cheese. I like the additions you made. I also think it could use a smidgen of salt to bring out more flavor. But I did enjoy it.

Annie, so glad you enjoyed! Actually, I posted this recipe in April and it's gone thru a few others since then. Anyone can change the recipe to fit their own needs/tastes. I'm sure it tastes wonderful without the cheese, too. Enjoy!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

I put lots of pepper in mine, don't remember that I added any additional salt, as I think the Jiffy Mix probably has lots of salt.

Carol... Jiffy mix has 340Mg sodium... per serving... serving size is 1/6 of a box...
OR... 2040Mg per box...
That's a lot of salt... but not as bad as a lot of other prepared mixes...
If I make this, I'll add a couple of fresh chopped Jalapeno's to the recipe!
Corn and Corn Bread & Jalapenos are a great combination! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I might even add some Splenda 1/2 & 1/2... to get the hot and sweet thing going...
Jiffy Corn Bread Mix is not that sweet, but more on the savory side...

I think I might make that recipe this weekend and jalapenos do sound good in it and some sweetener might not be too bad either! Good thought!

Carol, I LOVE pepper and am generous with the fresh ground. I did not add the salt but think it did need a little. And I did not use the Jiffy Mix, didn't have any. Used Martha Washingtons Jalapeno Cornbread mix. I have no idea how much sodium is in that...package is already out in the garbage. I thought it was good but do agree it would be improved by adding more stuff...especially jalapenos!

I love a good, moist sweet cornbread with Jalapenos!
I make it a lot, and let it get stale, then chop and use for Stuffed Pork Chops or Turkey Stuffing!

Brian, I like that idea. I love stuffed pork chops!

Contessa, try adding a can or two of chopped green chilies to your recipe. We did this Saturday and it was great. Not too spicy but a nice little kick.

This is NOT the forum to be reading right before dinner!! I am trying out the roasted tomato salad and the smell of the tomatos and balsamic vinegar and garlic... has overpowered the smell of my Christmas tree!!

Nutmeg--you have a REAL Christmas tree??????

Making this tonight. Can hardly wait to try it! Adding a small can of diced green chiles! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Carol: We have friends who ship a container or two of trees from North Carolina. Mine has been up since the 4th and is still fresh and green. If I ever figure out how to put pictures in these messages, I will send you a photo... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/xmas032.gif" alt="" />

P.S. the roasted tomato salad is the bomb!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

OK, glad to hear you have a real tree! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

So SteveandDeb, how was it?
I may do this for New Years Eve potluck party we may go to...

Steve loved it. Me? Not so much. The flavor was good, I didn't care for the consistency. BUT... I happen to be a VERY picky eater. So you have to take my opinion with a grain of salt. Steve ate seconds... he loved it!

FYI... I decided to try a bit of this 3 Corn Casserole business with my lunch today. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is pretty darn tasty as a left-over! I actually liked it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

glad you like the recipe. simple and delicious! i'll be making it tomorrow. were you able to locate fresh mozzarella?

I don't know how fresh it was, but it was tasty. At least it wasn't 12 slices to a package. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> We don't really get the breadth of products you all get in Big America, so we make do! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Well, my frends.....you're tastes are developing and you're becoming quite the 'gourmands'!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> That stuff REALLY rocks! Glad to hear you had fun. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa