Summer Afternoon Potluck

[notmarthaS.]

Would like to find a new potluck dish for a burger and hot dog outdoor picnic. Chips and drinks are provided. Does anyone have a no-bake dessert or simple side dish suggestion. All ideas welcome.

[eclecticsynergy]

Three bean salad is nice for that sort of gathering. Or a cold green bean salad from canned beans. Fast, easy, cheap. Bush's Beans website has a recipe for Sweet Bean Salad using baked beans and pineapple.

Or corn salad, a simple one or perhaps a version with poblanos? Or this one from Aeri's Kitchen:
http://aeriskitchen.com/2011/03/sweet-corn-salad/

Cucumber salad is wonderful, too, and very refreshing. Cucumbers and onions, oil & vinegar, a little sugar. Or the kind with with sour cream and dill. Or a Greek one with yogurt and some lemon juice. Or a Mexican style one with chili and lime. Or a cucumber-and-tomato salad.

I seldom pass up a chance to suggest gazpacho- no cooking required and it's really good on a hot day.

One of my other go-to dishes is Bacon Curry Cole Slaw. A tried and true favorite in my family for decades- and it's totally great over grilled hot dogs!
http://www.talkfood.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post25389

There's also the Asian slaw that people have taken to calling CrackSlaw. Highly addictive and easy 'cause it's made from precut coleslaw mix. http://eastvillagekitchen.com/2009/0...e-slaw-recipe/

For a festive, nostalgic and absolutely beautiful treat, check out this jello extravaganza:
http://foodlibrarian.blogspot.com/20...***-jello.html

I have to make that sometime this summer! You could also go a bit simpler and just do rainbow jello in a mold or bowl...