By 
Planning a party for a lot of people can seem overwhelming, which is why the idea of potlucks was invented. The downside can be the lack of flavor when everyone brings in local store bought items. What if you want baked beans, but need to heat them up when you arrive? What if Cousin Bob forgets what he was supposed to bring and it’s a crucial item, like paper plates or utensils?
One way to handle this is to calculate the cost and have a donation jar on the table for each guest to make a contribution. Prepare them ahead of time by adding up the costs of everything and dividing by the number of people who will be attending, including yourself. Tell them the suggested donation. Trust me, your guests would love to avoid making the decision of what to buy and take the time to pick it up. That way you can avoid duplication or no-shows and have a better understanding of when your food is served.
Certain foods are expected at picnics and outdoor gatherings. In the meat category are hamburgers and hotdogs. Buy burger patties that are ready to go, but season them with some meat beforehand. Or if you’re a hobby cook, mix in some smoky flavors including chili, paprika, and Liquid Smoke. Beware of spicy flavors, which not everyone can tolerate, especially children, and have a jar of jalapeños ready as a condiment.
Although children love hot dogs, the nitrates and nitrites are not good for them. So unless you’re willing to do some serious research on the best brands with natural casings, try to make do with just the burgers (preferably the ones with pink slime). Or include a side of mac and cheese just for the kids.
Beans are another staple for picnics and family gatherings. Although you can buy pre-flavored canned beans, consider the less expensive generic beans with no sugar and little to no fat and salt. Then give them whatever flavor you want. You might consider baking dry beans yourself, since they are less expensive and quicker to cook in a pressure cooker. You just have to remember to soak them the day before.
The best spices to flavor the beans are mustard, cumin, and the same smoky flavors you used on the burgers. A touch of molasses and some Chalula are also crowd pleasers. The beauty of beans is that they are filling, high in protein, and great if any of your guests are vegetarians.
A salad at most picnics is an expected item. If you have a garden, the salad may be within your reach. Coleslaw is easy, filling, and relatively inexpensive. You can buy pre-shredded cabbage and add color by including red radishes, diced yellow or orange bell peppers, or even fresh peas or carrots. Take it easy with the mayonnaise, the vegetables themselves provide a lot of flavor. For a creamier texture, use half mayonnaise and half sour cream (or cottage cheese). Thin with a little vegetable oil and spice it up a bit with 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Add more flavor with caraway, dill, mustard, celery or poppy seeds or chop a scallion or two. Many dressing recipes call for sugar, but it is not necessary with sweet vegetables. You can substitute fresh leaf lettuce or macaroni noodles for the cabbage.
We all have a tendency to overeat at these kinds of gatherings. So try to keep it simple. The meat, beans and salad are plentiful. If you have those meat and potato fans, consider a potato salad. Make it with mustard instead of mayonnaise for a change of pace. Other fillings can include French fries (blue corn is healthier than potato). If you’re really ambitious, consider frying up some sweet potato chips. You can never do too many of those. It’s hard to argue with brownies or cakes for dessert and they can be bought at the store. Just read labels carefully to avoid too much of a bad thing.
Now is the time to burn off some of those calories. Who brought the game of volleyball and Frisbees?