Party without an oven!? Need ideas pls

[Hula1974]

I'm hosting a baby shower for a friend of mine and we are going to have it at a school. The bad part is that I only have access to a fridge, microwave and sink. Also, the place is 2 hrs away from my house so I can't heat things at home and take them directly there.

Any ideas for recipes that I can be:
- made ahead
- eaten at room temp. or cold
- reheated in the microwave
- uses a crock pot to keep warm

I also have an electric frying pan and a rotisserie oven that plugs in. I'd rather not be cooking during the shower though so I'd still like make ahead things.

Thanks in advance for helping me solve this puzzle!

[jen]

How about:

cold cut platters
finger sandwiches--tuna, chicken salad, egg salad
salads -- garden, antipasto, pasta
dips/chip
veggies/dip
cheese/crackers
meatballs/sausages--crock pot

[QueenofCA]

You could do chili or meatballs in tomato sauce in the crockpot.

You could do a veggie/fruit tray with dips. Or hummus and pita bread.

What about a make-your-own sandwich thing...you could have yummy rolls, cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato, condiments, etc.

ETA: I x-posted with Jen! It looks like we had a lot of the same ideas! :)

[jen]

Ahh yes.. a fruit platter!

Look into a nearby supermarket----many make great platters and it's usually very economical. Might save you a lot of time and stress.

good luck!

sounds like Queenof CA & I could cater for you! ;)

[sublime311]

Is catering out of the question? If so:

Nacho and Taco Salad Bar

For nachos, heat the cheese, beans, and ground beef in separate crockpots -everything else (chips, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, jalepenos, sour cream, salsa) could be served in decorative bowls. You could buy HUGE cans of nacho cheese at Costco or Sam's Club.

For taco salads, share beans, ground beef (or shredded beef, if you have the time) and some toppings with the nacho bar, but include more for the salad. They even make flour tortilla bowls for salads that you could use.

You could serve a margarita (virgin) punch to drink.

ETA a punch recipe:

Mock Margaritas
recipe by CountryLady

This recipe is perfect for children & adults....or the perfect base for the real thing. Just add a cup of tequila before freezing!!!

12 servings
30 minutes 30 mins prep

1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (12 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
1 cup powdered sugar
6 cups crushed ice
lime wedges
coarse salt
1 (1 liter) bottle club soda, chilled

Thaw lemonade& limeade but do not dilute.
Process the first 4 ingredients in batches in blender& pour each batch into a 4 liter jug.
Place into a freezer until mixture becomes firm.
Remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving.
Rub rim of glass with lime wedge; place salt in a saucer& dip the glass rim into the salt.
Add club soda to the lemon/lime mixture, stirring until it becomes slushy.
Pour into prepared glasses.

[BethElena]

Alot of people do those little pizzas that have sour cream/cream cheese as the "sauce" and veggies as the toppings. Also done with fruit. Don't have a recipe, though.

[Reenie]

Party Supply stores sell "catering" pans- you know, the kind with the little jar of flame underneath? You heat the stuff at your house, take it to the place (even two hours away), and pour it into the pans, start the "flames," stir around until desired temp, and voila!

Just thought that might be an option. It's relatively inexpensive.