A bonfire adds ambiance to an alfresco pot luck, and a cooking source.
Large bonfire-side dinners bring to mind camping trips and enjoying the outdoors. Turning the dinner into a pot luck takes the effort off any single person because all the guests bring a dish to share. These dishes are usually simple to serve and do not require further cooking, but if you are bringing food to a bonfire, use the setting to your advantage when choosing dishes to bring to the pot luck. Does this Spark an idea?
Hot Dogs
Bring hot dogs for cooking over the bonfire.
Bring hot dogs, buns and condiments, but do not forget to bring wooden-handled skewers for guests to cook their own hot dogs in the bonfire. Plan to bring makings for each guest to have at least two hot dogs. Since the hot dogs are fully cooked, you have less to worry about with guests not cooking them long enough in the fire. Pack a cooler with the hot dogs and perishable condiments like mayonnaise or chopped onions at the bottom and an ice pack on top to keep the meat at a safe temperature until the guests cook the hot dogs over the fire.
S'mores
S'mores and fires are a perfect pairing for kids and adults.
Some assembly will be required when you bring the makings for s'mores to a bonfire pot luck. Pack a bag of large marshmallows, wooden-handled skewers, a box of graham crackers and enough chocolate bars so each guest can have a whole chocolate bar to make two s'mores. The guests toast their marshmallows to the desired crispiness on skewers in the bonfire and sandwich the gooey treats between two graham cracker squares with a half a chocolate bar inside.
Fresh Fruit
Bring a bowl of fruit for eating raw or cooking over the fire.
A large bowl of mixed fruit appeals to those looking for lighter fare at the potluck, but fresh fruit also becomes more flavorful if cooked over a fire. Bring skewers and encourage guests to cook whole apples or pears, pineapple wedges or peach halves over the fire to slightly char the exterior. A whole banana cooked in its peel becomes warm and slightly softened inside for a creamy alternative to a warm pudding. Bring brown sugar and vanilla yogurt for dipping the cooked or raw fruit into before eating.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob appeals to kids and adults.
Corn on the cob is best in the summer months when corn is in season, and this corresponds with the time of year with the best weather for hosting an outdoor bonfire. Skewer corn on the cob in its husks and cook it in the bonfire until the husk chars. Remove the husk and eat the roasted corn inside. A sprinkle of salt and pepper might be all the corn needs for seasoning. Have butter on hand for those who request it. For a twist on butter and salt, bring sour cream, chili powder and lime halves. Squeeze a lime half over the roasted corn, sprinkle it with chili powder and rub sour cream over it for a Latin-inspired treat.
Tags: over fire, guests cook, Bring dogs, bring makings, chili powder, cooking over, each guest