Bring a dish

[JaiynDough]

What's your go to, or what's your favourite that other people bring that you don't/can't make yourself?

Going to an outdoor dinner next week and want to take something so looking for ideas.

Needs to be nice at luke warm/cold temperature as it will obviously cool.

No allergies, vegetarians or vegans involved.

Thanks.

I always do the pinch of nom campfire stew. it's lovely hot or cold.

I usually default to Eton Mess

I don't think it's cheeky to take a veg/salad dish. If I was hosting I would expect people to bring side dishes rather than the main event. I recently made this sweet potato, bacon and ricotta salad to a bbq and it was really popular, I hope my host didn't think it was tight. (I did also take a tomato and mozzarella salad, drinks and flowers for the host).

Depends on the requirement ito an "extra or side" or something more substantial.

For the former, I usually do some kind of roasted veg and grains. Currently my favourite is honey roasted carrots with mixed grains/rice/lentils made as a sort of pilaf, topped with feta and a lemon, mustard, honey dressing.

If more substantial I like to roast a chicken or do a lamb and butternut casserole.

Shepherds salad - basically finely chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and flat leaf parsley with an olive oil and lemon dressing. Pasta or diced cheese can be added if desired. Nice, simple and always goes down a treat.

Haha I had a cheese and pineapple hedgehog at my wedding - all went almost immediately (this was only a few years ago btw, not the 70s 😆)

OP I'd go for something pastry/carb based as a general crowd pleaser. A homemade quiche always goes down well, as does Spanish tortilla

That sounds amazing!

My go to’s are:

• A big bowl of Coronation chicken, crusty French bread and a crisp green salad
• Cheese and pineapple or silver skin onions, cocktail sausages cooked in a sticky honey and soy glaze
• A large quiche with a bowl of homemade coleslaw
• Tabbouleh with crisp breads and pitas.

Pasta salad and a fruit platter

Cake. I pre cut it for garden parties, but it always goes down well.

tattie salad.
Honied sausages on sticks
homemade Sausage rolls
mango & pine nut salad.

This tart is my go-to. It gets so many positive comments and disappears really quickly.
https://www.pamperedchef.ca/recipe/Appetizers+%26+Snacks/Three-Onion+Goat+Cheese+Tart/960821

@TheFlis12345

What on earth is a heritage tomato?

Since this is a predominantly UK website I assume that it is something imported at great expense in food miles.

Actually the exact opposite 🙄Heritage (also known as heirloom) tomatoes are traditional British varieties of tomato. I grow 7 different types in my garden. They come in a range of colours, sizes, shapes and flavours so when you get a mix, make an amazingly flavourful and pretty salad.

I think this puts a different slant on it though, from what I (and I suspect others) were / are thinking.
I was thinking a 'shared lunch' or all equally contributing to a buffet at a party. At which, everyone in theory ought to only bring the equivalent of the amount they are going to eat. The point being, just sharing out the work between folk. So, someone going to the trouble to make a nice salad is valued as much as another person who might spend more money, but less time picking up some chees from the supermarket, etc. Everyone accepts that not everyone is a cook, and it is great if another person brings the breadsticks and dips, or some nice bread and the butter.

Yours sounds more like a feast being made by one person and they have asked people to bring sides ?
What about puddings ?
I mean, if someone is making a big curry, I would have thought that covered everyone - unless they specifically ask for something to compliment it, or be an alternative for people not keen on a prawn curry.

Can you not ask her ?

Fair enough.

But they're not exactly indigenous.

Thanks for the explanation though.

I too am growing multiple types of heirloom/heritage tomatoes this year and the flavours are amazing! 😋

Yes, I'm in the UK also@VeniVidiWeeWee . Why would you assume a heritage tomato is from abroad??? Maybe do a google search before replying with your ill informed response! 🙄

Smoked mackerel dip and crudites. Nigella's nuts go down well too 😁https://www.nigella.com/recipes/bar-nuts

Jeez, attitude over a bloody tomato. 🙄😄

I slow cook a beef joint and take bread rolls

Aubergine parmigiana, or ratatouille, in a big serving dish with foil on top, so that it retains some warmth but is delicious cold.

Cheese and pineapple is my go to as well! Always get eaten

My late mum in law's sherry trifle. Heaven on a spoon.

There is no test or expectation to "match" what the host is making unless they ask you to bring from a specific cuisine.

I was at a friend's Christmas Eve and brought some turkey and brie balls which the host loved because their kids actually ate them rather than just the crisps they had been binging on. Didn't "go" with the seafood buffet. I did also bring my Irish wheat bread by popular demand which went very quickly as it is fabulous with prawns and salmon

It's just people turning up at the beach, its not at a house. Very casual, people turn up, leave & move on, or stay all evening etc. My friend is taking a fold up table etc and will take food.

Last year we went last minute to watch the sunset after we had eaten in a restaurant and everyone else there had eaten.

She has kids so took a proper meal and there was enough for anyone else that turned up. Other people that went also took food & beers etc.

I just don't want to turn up empty handed, but to take something that can be shared by whoever is there.