645027 Sun Aug 16 07:14:08 -0700 2009 12 31 Home Cooking 0 4950317 Hi, Everyone. I just found out we are having our first block party is this neighborhood. Everyone needs to bring a side dish and I'm trying to think of something that would be great...and would hold up for 8 hours(yikes) in the sun. My first thought was bruschetta since the tomatoes are so great right now. Please give me any suggestions that might work. Thank you for your help! Sun Aug 16 07:14:09 -0700 2009 22620 DaisyM 1 4950324 bruschetta has to be grilled right before you top with the tomatoes. are you going to do that? too much work! i'd take a bunch of corn on the cob, baked beans or a sweet and sour cole slaw. all will hold up fine -- esp. the beans! plus, everyone likes them and they don't break the bank for a neighborhood-sized event. i'm not a big fan of mac n' cheese, but i know many are fans. i think most people like the old kraft blue box stuff, too, but not me, mind you -- i'm just observing what hounds have said on various threads. if you want something tasty, colorful, and seasonal, i'd also suggest "confetti corn salad." there are many recipes on the web. i like this one, and would also add sliced black olives: http://nora-anne.blogspot.com/2007/10/confetti-corn-salad.html you can also do a similar cold salad with black eyed peas instead of the corn -- that's what's called "texas caviar": http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Classic-Texas-Caviar/Detail.aspx (and use fresh chopped tomatoes, instead of canned). or...best of both worlds, add corn and black eyed peas! YEAH! that's my choice! Sun Aug 16 07:19:35 -0700 2009 4950317 105717 alkapal 2 4950361 Nothing could be finer than corn and blackeyed peas - and tomatoes - and red onion - and???????? Sun Aug 16 07:41:35 -0700 2009 4950324 131001 c oliver 3 4950367 um....buttered cornbread on the side? ;-) i like a vinaigrette with lime and red wine or cider vinegar and a light oil -- also the cumin gives a nice depth of flavor in either salad (fresh rosemary -- just a little -- is good, too). i also like cilantro, but that would wilt in the sun, and look yucky. definitely red or yellow bell peppers make it special -- and especially delicious. they highlight the corn's sweet flavor, give crunch and perk up the color scheme a lot. now that i think about it, jicama cubes would be good, and would hold up better than cukes. dang...now i've gotta go get some black eyed peas! ~~~~~~ not too long ago there was a thread on picnic foods that might serve the OP well. i recall that quinoa salad and israeli couscous salad seemed popular. ooh, looky here at this one, with corn! http://whatdidyoueat.typepad.com/what_did_you_eat/2007/08/time-sure-flies.html and this one with couscous and grilled summer veggies from bobby flay looks terrific. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables-recipe/index.html Sun Aug 16 07:46:44 -0700 2009 4950361 105717 alkapal 4 4950538 I'm sold on doing a corn salad. Does it make sense to first grill the corn to give it a little more flavor? Sun Aug 16 09:17:35 -0700 2009 4950367 22620 DaisyM 5 4950902 ABSOLUETLY! I do a black bean and corn salad w/ a chipoltle vinagareete if you are interested. It has cherrt tomatoes and onions,cilantro, yum! Sun Aug 16 12:43:50 -0700 2009 4950538 166707 JEN10 6 4951146 Sounds great...could I have the dressing recipe? Sun Aug 16 15:06:04 -0700 2009 4950902 22620 DaisyM 7 4952283 Hi Daisy, Now I will admit I cheat and purchas the frozen roasted corn at Trader Joe's. I use 4 cans of black beans drained and rinsed 1 bag of the corn, 1/2 red onion chopped, 6 scallions chopped, 1/2 c. cilantro minced and 2 c. cherry tomatoes sliced in half. Dressing: 1/2 c. red wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, olive oil to taste, and 2 canned chipoltes in adobo, 1 tablespoon adobo. I mix everything and then toss the tomatoes on top. right before serving I mix the tomatoes into the beans. serves 8 -10 as a side ENJOY! Mon Aug 17 05:44:47 -0700 2009 4951146 166707 JEN10 5 4950980 definitely grill the corn. nothing better! i forgot to mention that i'd add finely sliced celery too, for crunch and flavor. Sun Aug 16 13:37:41 -0700 2009 4950538 105717 alkapal 5 4951092 We've been doing corn recently leaving the silks and husks on. Much easier. Sun Aug 16 14:36:58 -0700 2009 4950538 131001 c oliver 1 4951115 Summer Corn Cubano Salad This salad has become the harbinger of barbecue season at my house. I use canned corn… not frozen, but you can substitute fresh sweet corn cut off the cob. If there are leftovers, it tastes great the next day spooned on top of tortilla chips for a fabulous fresh nacho dish… or add in a can of tuna for a lunch salad. I’ve even heated it up and served it over pasta. Active time: 25 minutes. 2 15oz. cans black beans 1 15 oz. can small white beans (cannellni or other) 1 15 oz. can corn 1 pint basket of cherry tomatoes, halved 3 stalks scallions (or a small red bermuda finely diced) 1/2 bunch cilantro (also called fresh coriander) rinsed and dried 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil juice of 1/2 lemon 3 medium cloves garlic 1 teaspoon sugar salt and pepper to taste 1 small jalepeno, seeded and diced (optional) Drain and rinse the cans of corn and beans. Place in big bowl. Cut cherry tomatoes in halves or quarters depending on how big they start add to bowl. Thinly slice green onions or dice bermuda and add. In a food processor, place cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper and optional jalepenos. Pulse until the cilantro is finely diced and the dressing is emulsified. Pour dressing over salad. Mix to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Serves 10 as a side dish. Sun Aug 16 14:49:27 -0700 2009 4950317 28006 Jennalynn 2 4951144 The next stupide question....what is the best way to grill the corn? We have a gas grill and since I'll need to grill at least 2 dozen ears...just wondering which way will give most flavor and least hassle. Thanks for your help! Sun Aug 16 15:05:42 -0700 2009 4951115 22620 DaisyM 3 4951179 here ya go--I just searched "bbq corn" in the search box. note the quotation marks. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/633726 Sun Aug 16 15:18:36 -0700 2009 4951144 11234 toodie jane