DiscussionsHassle-free Holidays and Simple Entertaining Tips

I will be attending a church Sunday where they will have a potluck lunch following the morning service. This means whatever I take shouldn't have to use the oven or cook for long there. I would love some suggestions on what would be easy to take that can be left out or refrigerated during the service. Thanks for any advice.. EJC

Hi EJC58,

If you have to leave food out during the service I would consider a pasta salad that has oil dressing, not mayo involved.  Check this site , lots of choices. I like to pack my food with zip lock bags full of ice and wrapped with newspapers or towel to keep food cold no matter what the product. Have you considered investing in an ice chest for the summer. I bet you will have uses for it in the future. There are cheap foam chests in stores for a few dollars that would be useful. Other choice might be signing up for dessert. Brownies , pie  or fresh fruit cut up would  always a welcome addition. Enjoy.

Well, if you get to refrigerate it how about a sandwich sub or ring?  A ring fits into a fridge better I think. This ring recipe shows you how to form the bread.  Just for your sandwich maybe you could use ingredients that are good cold anyways, like deli meats, cheeses, roasted red peppers and italian dressing.  Easy to transport in a cupcake taker and will be a WOW when you open it up and it's not cupcakes.  Certain ingredients kind of mush and meld together nicely when refrigerated think of the best cold sandwiches you've had or pasta salad ingredients that are good cold and better overnight. Antipasto ingredients like, artichoke hearts, pepperoncinis.  Deli ingredients like pickles, olives, hard boiled egg slices. Mediterranean flavors like feta, cucumbers, lemon olive oil dressing things like that.  Pick your favorites.