Work Holiday Party?

ShallowSeas

We are having a holiday party at work next week and are suppose to bring something in. I have no idea what to make. Preferably something quick and cheap and not dessert-related (there's always too many desserts). What do you usually bring for a pitch-in? Any quick and yummy recipes?

CLoGreenEyes

For appetizer-like recipes, I like THIS recipe with tortilla chips on the side, and also THIS recipe because yum.

[Deleted User]

Guacamole: I just mix together diced avocados, red onion, 1 diced tomato some fresh cilantro and lime juice. Salt & pepper to taste.

Stuffed Mushrooms: 1 softened block of 1/3 fat cream cheese mixed with one jar of real bacon bits. spoon into mushroom caps (usually 2 small pkgs., remove stems) and bake/broil until warmed through (about 10 minutes)

Superbowl Nacho Dip in a crock pot: 1 large block of velveeta, 2 cans of Hormel chili with no beans and a jar of pace picante salsa. Start about an hour before you want to serve for cheese to melt. Can bring with chips or a veggie tray

Hummus and Pita Chips

[Deleted User]

Caprese skewers: Really really easy...just buy a package of mini mozzarella balls, a package of cherry tomatoes, and then fresh basil leaves and stick them in order on a mini skewer. Drizzle with vinaigrette and olive oil.

There are tons of recipes for homemade salsa with fresh tomatoes, corn, black beans, lettuce, etc... on Pinterest. 

Buffalo chicken dip is always great! I've made a buffalo chicken dip ring with crescent roll dough with the dip inside.

http://jayesel.net/2011/11/10/recipe-buffalo-chicken-ring/

[Deleted User]

ooh - @southernpeach89's mozzarella balls made me think of this meatball recipe (clicky). I know it sounds like an odd combo - but I promise they are amazine. I don't add the cayenne.

Also, my MIL makes lil smokies in the crock pot that are amazing. She wraps each lil smokie with bacon (not a whole slice, just enough to wrap around once) and secures it with a toothpick. Once all are wrapped and in the crockpot she sprinkles the whole thing with brown sugar. Once the whole thing is heated up, they taste amazing and the sugar gets all melty like a glaze.

 

[Deleted User]

@TwoDimes - YES!

ShallowSeas

ahhhhh all these recipes look and sound AMAZING!

Pepperally

Fiesta taco dip...imbedded in my brain I've made it so much and it's always a hit: Mix 8 oz cream cheese, 8 oz of sour cream, and one packet of taco powder. Place in the bottom of a pie plate. Top with your usual taco toppings, serve with tortilla chips.

Shiroyasha

I'm just making potatoes au gratin from a box.  I was going to make pumpkin pie, but I backed out of dessert for red velvet cookies that a coworker makes that are delicious.  I was going to make the potatoes au gratin from scratch, but had a hard time finding a simple one that doesn't use expensive or hard to find cheeses.

buddysmom80

@allusive007 you always have the best recipes!!!!!! I've made the smokies wrapped with bacon before, but never in the crock pot!!!!

@severmilli12 we used to have a work potluck party and I either made glazed ham or lasagna. The ham was expensive, but the lasagna was cheap since I made the sauce already so all I had to get were the noodles and cheese. I would make a huge pan and it would last for a group of 100 people (mind you there were about 80 other foods to choose from too) but it was always a hit.

My other suggestion would be to take frozen meatballs and throw them in the crock pot with a can of cranberry jelly (the jello stuff, not with the pieces of fruit) and a jar of chili sauce and keep it on low. Just check throughout the day if it needs water and add it a half cup at a time. Or you can just take the frozen meatballs, some jarred sauce and throw that in the crock pot and get some grinder rolls for meatball grinders.

Dignity100

I usually make this in the crock pot - 5 bean chili:

1 can butter beans
1 can cut green beans
1 can wax beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pork n' beans
1 can tomato soup
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup celery
1 cup onions
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons mustard
2 lbs sausage (1 lb hot and 1 lb regular)
1 teaspoon chili powder

drain and rinse: butter beans, green beans, wax beans, kidney beans - then add to crock pot.

Add pork n' beans, tomato paste, tomato soup (if using Campbells, add water as it recommends on the back), chopped celery, chopped onions, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder to the crock pot.

Brown and drain sausage and add to crock pot.

Cook all ingredients in crock pot on high for 2hrs (after 2 hrs, you can set crock pot to low).


My Changes/suggestions:  I add fresh garlic - I only use 1lb of Sausage instead of the 2.  I typically prepare the evening before the event, then just heat it up for the event so the celery isn't crunchy.

Pepper6

Green bean casserole!  So easy and always makes me think of the holidays.