[toadstool]

We're hosting an Italian-themed BBQ/picnic. So far my menu ideas include:<br><br><br><br>
-Tofurkey Italian Sausages (grilled)<br><br>
-Pasta primavera (served cold, with roasted veggies & farfalle)<br><br>
-Nate's Italian meatballs (served hot--in crockpot--with tomato sauce)<br><br>
-Italian hoagie rolls (for meatballs & sausages)<br><br><br><br>
Any other suggestions?<br><br><br><br>
I need things that can be made a day ahead of time so I don't have to stress the day of the party--I want to be with guests, not cooking. The party will go on for hours (4 to midnight or later) and I want people to be able to munch throughout the entire thing, so cold foods are better (I can set them on ice). Hot things are ok if they'll last in a crockpot.<br><br><br><br>
Vegetarian is ok, vegan preferred.

 

[synergy]

You'll definitely need some cut up fruits and veggies with a variety of dips.<br><br><br><br>
Then there is always bruschetta, antipasto, and you could do a sorbetto for dessert.

 

[Tesseract]

I'm looking through my Italian Farmhouse Cookbook for ideas.<br><br><br><br>
I propose a variety of dips and salads, served with toasted crostini. Synergy already mentioned bruschetta, which is a no-fuss dish when you simply toss the chopped tomatoes with sweet onion, fresh herbs, good olive oil, vinegar, and salt, and let guests scoop it up with their crostini.<br><br><br><br>
You could add herbed beans. According to my recipe, you just cook up 2 pounds of dried borlotti or cranberry beans (you could probably also use white beans if you want) with fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf, then drain and toss well with olive and salt. I think I would dress this one up by lightly satueeing a generous amount of minced garlic in my olive oil, and then using the yummy garlicky oil to toss with the beans. You would do this the day before and then just bring it to room temperature before serving.<br><br><br><br>
Or how about this recipe for <a href="http://www.edenfoods.com/apps/webrecipes/view.php?s=157005" target="_blank">Crostini with White Bean Puree and Tomatoes</a>?<br><br><br><br>
I'm also thinking of some kind of spinach dip. Between that, the beans, and the bruschetta, you'd have a nice trio of dips served with bread.<br><br><br><br>
There's also <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/82376" target="_blank">Roasted Baby Eggplants</a>.<br><br><br><br>
Don't forget to add olive tapenade. That's another thing that's great on bread.

 

[synergy]

Tess- you are so full of good recipes. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/iloveyou.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lovesign:">

 

[Tesseract]

Haha, I like to share ideas more than I like to actually cook lately. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/dozey.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":tired:">