USVI-On-Line

My office does a lunch potluck at this time every year. This year I'm completely uninspired, so I was hoping you guys would have some ideas.

Here are my issues: it's at work, at lunch time, so it either has to be made the night before, or something that can cook all morning in a slow cooker. Reheating a large dish is an issue, as we just have a small microwave and a small toaster oven at the office.

Other folks have already signed up to bring a soup and a dessert, so I'd like to stay away from those.

Anyone? Please?

we just had one at work too and I brought the cowboy caviar and it was a huge hit! I always take the recipe with me because people inevitably ask. I just print it and leave it near the dish.

I bring a dish called Jerk Chicken to potlucks, that goes over really well. The recipe calls for 6 whole chicken legs but I use the large package of boneless thighs. I cook ahead as directed, put it in the crockpot and refrigerate, then pop the pot into the crockpot base on low the morning of. I've never had real jerk chicken, so I have no idea how authentic the recipe is, just that it's GOOD!
6 whole chicken legs
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 8oz can tomato sauce
Remove skin from chicken. Combine spices, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.
Heat oil in a large skilet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. Add onions and cook covered until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Pour chicken broth into the bowl the chicken was in, and get all the spice left in the bowl, then pour into the pan with tomato sauce. Return chicken to skillet. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender enough to be "jerked" from the bone. Transfer chicken to platter. Season sauce to taste and pour over chicken.

That's really smart, MaryBeth! What's cowboy caviar?

Minde here is the Cowboy Caviar Dip Recipe.. It escapes me who posted it here.
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Thought I'd start another food related topics as I am always looking for recipes for dips. Everyone post your favorites. Here is one I like ALOT:

Cowboy Caviar Dip

Open and drain in a colander:
2 cans black beans
2 cans rotel tomatoes
1 can white corn
1 can yellow corn

Chop:
1 avocado
1 bunch of cilantro
1/2 red onion

Combine ingredients on a bowl.

Add:
1-tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons lime juice
Dash of salt

Refrigerate over night.

Serve with chips (Tostitos Scoops are really good with it)

a easy guy pot luck dish

2 boxes Zatarain's jambalaya rice mix
and 2 lbs kielbasa cut 1/2" slices
add kielbasa and rice to water and cook per package.

next morning take to work in slow cooker, cook on med great side dish

and guy easy

Minde, I'm stealing your chicken recipe. All of your ingredients certainly look Caribbean inspired. I'm gonna try it.

P600; thanks. That sounds interesting! We'll try it for the game, some Sunday.
Brenda; lemme know what you think!

My Sweet Amy has pretty much nailed unbelievable bbq pork ribs.
First, she brushes them with liquid smoke, then sears them in some oil in a large pan.
She then proceeds to let them simmer in a large crock pot.
She has her own bbq sauce mixture that pretty much sucks the meat "off the bone" , as it slowly cooks for 6-8 hours. The sauce is sweet, smoky, rich with garlic & onion, and has a little kick of heat, as well. A couple of buttered buns, and I'm always loving life...
(This is starting to sound like 'food-porn!' )
Not for nothin', but they're unbelievable. Time it right, and by the time you bring it into work, it'll still be hot & savory!
If you're interested, I'll send you her recipe.
Smiles-
MJ

Some great ideas here folks. Thanks!

Jim, I would love that recipe! I'm drooling. Though I'm not sure my husband will let me out of the house with them...