Recipe Suggestions for Dish that will travel/keep well?
March 25, 2016 7:27 AM Subscribe
We are traveling tomorrow night to my girlfriend's family relatives for Easter; although no dish has been assigned to us, I would like to prepare something to bring. Ideally this will be something that I can fully prepare and/or cook on Saturday and then re-heat or fully cook on Sunday before going to their house. The trip is only an hour away, but what type of dishes will travel and hold up well a day in advance?
I am guessing some sort of casserole dish will be the best...I'm hoping to satisfy the following conditions:
-something vegetable based/relatively healthy (fats/oils are ok to use but I would prefer the base of the dish to not be meat)
-does not need to be a large recipe; something that would usually feed 2-4 ppl should be fine
-I will have use of gf's mother's kitchen on Sunday, so if necessary I can do some basic cooking functions and use the oven/stovetop, but would prefer to not make a mess (anything involving chopping would like to do ahead of time in my own kitchen)
-I have the usual kitchen tools at my disposal (processor, utensils); crock-pot is an option too
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I am guessing some sort of casserole dish will be the best...I'm hoping to satisfy the following conditions:
-something vegetable based/relatively healthy (fats/oils are ok to use but I would prefer the base of the dish to not be meat)
-does not need to be a large recipe; something that would usually feed 2-4 ppl should be fine
-I will have use of gf's mother's kitchen on Sunday, so if necessary I can do some basic cooking functions and use the oven/stovetop, but would prefer to not make a mess (anything involving chopping would like to do ahead of time in my own kitchen)
-I have the usual kitchen tools at my disposal (processor, utensils); crock-pot is an option too
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Does it have to be a warm dish? Couscous with roasted vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, etc.) is easy to transport and can be served at room temperature. I like it with chopped dried apricots, green onions, and mint. Broccoli slaw and pasta salad are other dishes that hold up well; in both cases, you can do the final mixing after you arrive if you're concerned about texture.
posted by neushoorn at 7:51 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 7:51 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Cheesy hashbrown casserole. Prepare a day ahead, but don't bake, then chill overnight. Keep wrapped in towels to keep cold (or not) during travel. Bakes to perfect in 60 to 90 minutes.
posted by yesster at 8:04 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by yesster at 8:04 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think it's a good idea to call and say you want to bring something and ask for suggestions. They may have a carefully planned meal already and actually prefer you not bring anything. In that case, if they are drinkers, you can bring a bottle of wine for them to serve with the meal or drink later at their leisure. If they tell you that it doesn't matter what you bring, I like to bake a homemade focaccia. It's a little fancier than bread, holds up well, works as leftovers, and doesn't require your use of an already crowded kitchen.
posted by FencingGal at 8:09 AM on March 25, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 8:09 AM on March 25, 2016 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I am planning to make this: Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots with Parmesan Bread Crumbs. You precook the veggies and breadcrumbs separately and then combine them the next day and reheat for 10 minutes in an oven.
posted by soelo at 8:33 AM on March 25, 2016
posted by soelo at 8:33 AM on March 25, 2016
Really nice fruit salad is almost always appropriate, especially if you get berries or other fruits that are usually too expensive for everyday fruit salad. It can be served with almost any dessert, with brunch foods, or can stand in for dessert for people who aren't into sweets.
posted by snaw at 8:45 AM on March 25, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by snaw at 8:45 AM on March 25, 2016 [5 favorites]
Agree you really must ask the mom. When I want folks to bring food, I give them a category of things to bring. When I have a carefully planned menu, I say "no need to bring anything!" and it's understood that I want them to bring wine or maybe flowers, but do not want additional foods brought.
If she has said "just bring whatever" then a couscous salad as mentioned above is a great idea, but really almost all salads can be prepared in their component parts, stored in separate ziplocs or tupperwares, and mixed in a bowl with dressing upon arrival. And if you are preparing in advance then most salads will need to store like this. The exception is bean salad, which I've been told improves with marination for a day or two, although it's not something my family eats so I can't say from experience.
If you're willing to back away from the "healthy" part of the plan, a pan of good macaroni and cheese ready to pop in the oven is usually a welcome sight.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:02 AM on March 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
If she has said "just bring whatever" then a couscous salad as mentioned above is a great idea, but really almost all salads can be prepared in their component parts, stored in separate ziplocs or tupperwares, and mixed in a bowl with dressing upon arrival. And if you are preparing in advance then most salads will need to store like this. The exception is bean salad, which I've been told improves with marination for a day or two, although it's not something my family eats so I can't say from experience.
If you're willing to back away from the "healthy" part of the plan, a pan of good macaroni and cheese ready to pop in the oven is usually a welcome sight.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:02 AM on March 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Always ask. I had someone show up to a grazing finger-foods party with a salad. I had to spend time away from my guests digging in the back of the cabinets to find enough plastic forks and paper bowls to put out so people could eat it.
However if you ask and they say ok, I suggest home made applesauce. Easy to make, travels well, great hot or cold, and the leftovers freeze well.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 9:22 AM on March 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
However if you ask and they say ok, I suggest home made applesauce. Easy to make, travels well, great hot or cold, and the leftovers freeze well.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 9:22 AM on March 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Hey everyone, thanks for the replies. I have asked the gf to ask her mom (the event is at gfs aunts) but in general she said don't worry; I know the basic goods they will have and it won't be bad if I bring a duplicate. I had mentioned to the aunt a month ago I wanted to bring something for Easter and she said that would be great but not to make a fuss.
Thanks for the suggestions so far; in particular anything that uses uncommon vegetables would be nice, as I know of a variety of ethnic markets to get unusual produce from
posted by andruwjones26 at 9:28 AM on March 25, 2016
Thanks for the suggestions so far; in particular anything that uses uncommon vegetables would be nice, as I know of a variety of ethnic markets to get unusual produce from
posted by andruwjones26 at 9:28 AM on March 25, 2016
Buy a delicious pie and bring some ice cream to go with. The aunt told you not to make a fuss - cooking is making a fuss.
Wine or flowers is always welcome, too. You are over-thinking this.
posted by jbenben at 9:39 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Wine or flowers is always welcome, too. You are over-thinking this.
posted by jbenben at 9:39 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
On one hand, I am a mother of someones girlfriend. In that capacity: I, and my sisters, always prefer flowers or wine unless clearly stated. Seriously, we do.
On the other hand, I am a picky person who often worries what I am getting to eat, even at my closest relatives' houses, and in that capacity I often call to ask if I can bring something [which everyone knows means that I can eat], and they will describe the menu and I will bring a supplement that not only makes me more comfortable but also surprises and satisfies other people at the party. Often these things will be salads with unusual combinations of vegs, fruits, nuts and dressings. Or even a simple potato salad but with a twist that makes it lighter and more contemporary. Or it could be home-baked bread, and a good butter, and maybe cheese.
posted by mumimor at 2:06 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
On the other hand, I am a picky person who often worries what I am getting to eat, even at my closest relatives' houses, and in that capacity I often call to ask if I can bring something [which everyone knows means that I can eat], and they will describe the menu and I will bring a supplement that not only makes me more comfortable but also surprises and satisfies other people at the party. Often these things will be salads with unusual combinations of vegs, fruits, nuts and dressings. Or even a simple potato salad but with a twist that makes it lighter and more contemporary. Or it could be home-baked bread, and a good butter, and maybe cheese.
posted by mumimor at 2:06 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Since I bake, I would bring hot cross buns and present them with the suggestion that they would be great the next day if not needed at dinner. Or Easter-decorated cookies, if the exists such things, with a similar suggestion.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:22 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by SemiSalt at 2:22 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Roasted brussel sprouts are always great.
1) Buy as many brussel sprouts as you need (1 lb, 2 lbs, whatever)
2) Pre heat oven to 400-425F-ish
3) Toss the brussels in olive oil or grapeseed oil, salt, and pepper
4) Bake on a cookie sheet until they are a little bit crunchy on the outside, but still soft on the inside.
(This roasting thing works super well with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, chard, bok choy, whatever.)
posted by Deeleybopper at 2:59 PM on March 25, 2016
1) Buy as many brussel sprouts as you need (1 lb, 2 lbs, whatever)
2) Pre heat oven to 400-425F-ish
3) Toss the brussels in olive oil or grapeseed oil, salt, and pepper
4) Bake on a cookie sheet until they are a little bit crunchy on the outside, but still soft on the inside.
(This roasting thing works super well with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, chard, bok choy, whatever.)
posted by Deeleybopper at 2:59 PM on March 25, 2016
Make a butternut squash gratin. People will die for it. I don't have a recipe handy, but basically butternut thyme cream gruyere, nom.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 5:58 PM on March 25, 2016
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 5:58 PM on March 25, 2016
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posted by zorseshoes at 7:36 AM on March 25, 2016