Delicious transportable dishes for any occasion
It’s a great Australian tradition: bringing a plate to brunch, a backyard barbie, a lazy lunch or party to share the catering load with your hosts, whether it’s a crunchy salad, a batch of freshly baked scrolls or delicious dessert. From savoury finger food to irresistible sweet treats, we’ve put together a list of ideas for what to bring when you’re asked to bring a plate. Think achievable, transportable crowd-pleasers to suit a variety of dietary needs and occasions. And they’re all made with everyday ingredients, so they’ll be easy on your budget and your time.
01
Cheesy garlic and chive pull-apart sliders
Perfect for a barbie or brunch, these quick, easy and oh-so-cheesy pull-apart sliders are simple to prepare in advance and pack in an airtight container, ready to pop in the oven for 10 minutes once you reach your destination. For a bigger crowd, simply multiply the quantities. Mix it up by using different combos of cheese and herbs, such as grated parmesan and chopped fresh basil, or sliced brie and chopped fresh thyme leaves. Pack a jar of your favourite tomato relish in the cooler, too, and you’re good to go! Vegetarian guests will love you for it.
02
Fresh tomato and basil tart
Here’s an impressive, budget-friendly vegetarian appetiser, brunch or lunch dish that’s quick and easy to prepare ahead. It’s delicious hot or cold, so you could bake it at home and leave it to cool on an oven rack before you go. The trick is to leave it on the rack when you pack it in an airtight container to help the base stay crisp until you’re ready to serve. Make it even easier by swapping out the filo pastry sheets with a single sheet of puff pastry.
03
Spinach dip in cob loaf
You’ve got to love a bring-a-plate appetiser that literally comes in its own packaging! Using just five ingredients, this party favourite is easy to make ahead. After that, it’s just a matter of wrapping up the filled loaf in some foil and popping the scooped-out bread pieces into a reusable bag. This dish is best served hot, so simply unwrap the cob and bake it with the bread pieces at your destination. That way, the spinach dip is nice and gooey and the cob and bread pieces are crisp and golden.
04
Air-fryer crackling pork belly and mango platter
This is a real summertime crowd-pleaser, whether you bring it along to a special celebration dinner or a relaxed lunch. It also makes a show-stopping picnic platter. Arrange it on a transportable platter, ensuring it’s tightly wrapped to keep all the elements in place, or pack the ingredients separately and put the platter together when you arrive at your destination. Whichever way you do it, everyone will be impressed. This fresh, vibrant Asian-style salad is just as delicious with shredded roast chicken or peeled cooked prawns instead of pork.
05
Smashed salt and vinegar potato salad
Here’s the answer to the eternal “can you bring a side?” question, whether it’s for a family barbie, a picnic or special occasion. Everyone loves potato salad. This one comes with a clever twist, using those favourite potato-friendly flavours of salt – in the form of crispy bacon – and vinegar, found in the cooking water and lightly pickled red onion. You can also make it dairy-free by omitting the sour cream and just using whole-egg mayonnaise. Assemble the salad before you leave and then enjoy it served warm or at room temperature. Simply arrange the ingredients in a deep platter or shallow bowl and away you go!
06
Green potato salad
Another take on an all-time favourite, this creamy potato salad is packed with flavour and texture, and makes a great budget-beating side for a barbecue or buffet lunch. It’s easy to double up on the ingredients for a larger crowd, too. Prepare this dish ahead of time by simply assembling the ingredients in a serving bowl according to the recipe, covering the dish, and packing it into a cooler bag. Booyah!
07
Layered curried rice and cauliflower salad
This gluten-free salad works a treat when you prepare it ahead at home. Just layer it up in a bowl. By the time you arrive at your host’s occasion, the warm curry flavour will have had time to develop beautifully. It makes a sensational accompaniment for barbecued seafood, chicken or meats, or a stand-alone vegetarian main for a party or picnic. You could even replace the Greek-style natural yoghurt with coconut yoghurt to make this a vegan dish.
08
Niçoise pasta salad
The addition of pasta shells to the flavours and textures of a classic French Niçoise salad makes this the ideal budget-friendly choice to bring to any gathering. It’s quick and simple to prepare in advance, and easy to transport as it can be assembled in a serving bowl beforehand. The pasta adds bulk to this vegetarian version, which means it’s perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.
09
Healthier mini cob loaf dips
For a fresh take on a party favourite, these vegetarian mini cob loaf dips make cute healthier-style appetisers to please a crowd. Even the kids won’t be able to resist them. Prepare them ahead to the point before you need to bake them, then finish them off at your destination to ensure the rolls and bread pieces are crisp. To transport, pack the dip-filled rolls into an airtight container in single layers separated with baking paper, then pop the torn bread and cut veggies into separate resealable containers. For an extra festive flourish, you could use a combo of sliced red, green and yellow capsicum.
10
Ham bombs
This is an impressive way to use up some of that Christmas leftover ham, using convenient ready-made pizza dough balls. This savoury pull-apart makes a great centrepiece appetiser or side for a Boxing Day barbecue or lunch. You could bake it and take it finished and ready to serve, or finish it off with the remaining cheese once you’ve arrived. Just pack up the gravy in a jar or airtight container so you can heat it just before serving. It’s also delicious made with leftover turkey, or any other roasted meat.
11
Pesto star bread
This basil pesto and parmesan pull-apart is perfect served as finger food or a side for a party, and you can bake it ahead, wrap it in foil and freeze it ahead of time. Then all you need to do is defrost it in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven before serving. The wow factor comes from its pretty star shape – perfect for the festive season. Using a simple dough recipe, this dish will impress not just for its golden good looks but also for its rich, savoury flavour. Double up the quantities and keep one in the freezer for unexpected guests at your place!
12
Prawn cocktail salad
Here’s a quick and easy budget-stretcher that packs an impressive punch as a summer starter or as part of a buffet spread. An all-time retro favourite gets a makeover here with the addition of pretty pasta spirals, crisp cucumber and creamy avocado. It’s a great way to make those prawns go further when you’re catering for a crowd – you could even halve them lengthways for greater pasta-to-prawn ratio! This is a perfect dish to prepare ahead and transport in its bowl, so it’s all ready to serve at your destination.
13
Vegan pumpkin and sage tart
Crunchy pastry, sweet, tender pumpkin and the savoury notes of sage and leek topped with crunchy green veggies make this vegan tart a must-have, no matter what dietary requirements are to be catered for at the gathering. It makes an impressive centrepiece for a festive spread or sliced into wedges to serve as an appetiser or finger food. Best of all, it’s easy to prepare in advance and transport – just leave it in the pan until you’re ready to serve. Combine your asparagus and snow peas in an airtight container to decorate the tart once you’ve reached your event.
14
Festive no-knead focaccia
This is an impressive make-ahead bread that’s so easy to prepare – no kneading required! With its decorative Christmas-tree inspired decorations of herbs dotted with bauble-like sweet tomatoes and green olives, it’s the perfect vegetarian festive centrepiece to serve with cold cuts, seafood and salads. It’s also free of eggs, dairy, nuts, sesame and soy, so anyone with those dietary restrictions will be able to tuck in, too. If you’re making it ahead, cool the focaccia completely before storing it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. All it needs is a quick drizzle of olive oil when it’s serving time.
15
Indian-spiced paneer with pickled cucumber
While these delicious, spicy little bites would be perfect as part of an Indian-style feast, they’re also great as a party appetiser alongside drinks. Made with just a few pantry ingredients, they’re quick and easy to make. The pickled cucumber and onion can be prepared in advance, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Don’t have an air-fryer? Simply cook the oil-sprayed paneer, in batches, in a non-stick frying pan, turning once, until golden on both sides.
16
Chilli, mango, prosciutto & feta crostini
These colourful crostini epitomise an Australian summer on a plate and the textures and flavours complement each other perfectly. This starter is quick and easy to make and will disappear as fast as you serve it. For an even quicker – but equally delicious – option, substitute your favourite crackers for the bread. Or, to make a platter of bite-sized canapés, slice a baguette into rounds and grill slices in place of the sourdough. To make this recipe more child-friendly, or if chilli is not your thing, leave the chilli flakes out. It will still taste fabulous!
17
Quick panzanella salad
Here’s a great way to use up some of that leftover bread to create a classic Italian-style salad. It needs just four ingredients to make. This one’s perfect to bring to any gathering – from a casual lunch to a full-on festive feast – because it makes such a colourful addition to the table. It also gets better if it’s left to sit and let the flavours develop for a while, so this one’s a keeper for your bring-a-plate repertoire. It’s vegan and vegetarian, too, making it a simple solution to dietary requests.
18
Melon and bocconcini wreath
Want to pull out all the stops with your bring-a-plate offering without blowing the budget this Christmas? This adorable wreath of fresh watermelon, rockmelon and cherry bocconcini is your answer. It’s incredibly simple and quick to make ahead and is a refreshing, vibrant option to serve alongside seafood, roast turkey, barbecued meats or cold cuts. Serve it as a festive centrepiece for the main event, as an appetiser, or as a healthier snack for kids and adults alike.
19
Transportable berry trifle
The name says it all. Make this luscious dessert ahead in its container, then cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to transport it in a cooler bag. It uses readily available ingredients, looks fabulous as part of a dessert selection or as star of the show, and it’s easy to prepare with no cooking required. This trifle will be a winner wherever you bring it – whether it’s a beachside picnic, a backyard barbecue or festive lunch or dinner.
20
Easy mango and passionfruit pavlova smash
Here’s a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress at any Christmas gathering – and it takes just 10 minutes to put together. It features all the texture and flavour combinations of your favourite summer pavlova. Feel free to change up the fruit if you like – this gluten-free smash would be just as delicious with thinly sliced stoned plums or peaches and strawberries instead of the mangoes and raspberries. If you don’t want to put it together before you leave, simply whip the cream beforehand, then store all the ingredients in separate containers when you hit the road.
21
Peaches and cream mini pavs
Made with just five ingredients, these individual pavlovas are an entertainer’s dream. Easy to delight a crowd at a party, at an indulgent high tea, or as dessert for a sit-down dinner, they’re even easier and quick to make ahead, taking just 10 minutes total. They’re an ideal gluten-free option, too. While peaches and cream are the stars here, there’s no reason you couldn’t mix things up with different fresh fruit toppings – from sliced strawberries to mangoes or raspberries.
22
Creamy pumpkin and radish tart
A lovely bring-a-plate dish for a picnic, long lunch or dinner, this delicious savoury vegetable tart is ideal to transport, as you can leave it in the pan until you’re ready to serve it up. It’s great for a crowd, too, as it’s easy to slice into the portion size required – small enough for bite-size appetisers, or larger for a main course. It’s best served at room temperature to bring out the flavour of that sweet, creamy pumpkin filling, which means it’s perfect to make ahead. Best of all, this is a no-waste recipe; you roast the pumpkin seeds along with the flesh.
23
Layered dip with Qukes® baby cucumbers
Here’s how to up the ante at a party when you’re asked to bring a vegetarian starter or appetiser. Turn a selection of Middle Eastern-style dips and accompaniments into a stylish layered platter. Layer the assorted dips and crunchy veggies, then serve as a centrepiece with slices of crusty baguette. It’s quick, easy to make and ready to transport with minimal mess or fuss. Need more veggies for dipping? Try adding carrot sticks, sliced red capsicum and green beans for extra colour and crunch.
24
Layered rainbow pasta salad
This is a spectacular vegetarian pasta salad to bring to a festive lunch or barbecue. Layering the ingredients separately in a see-through bowl highlights the colour and variety of textures. Then, come serving time, all you need to do is to toss it together. Basil pesto adds richness and flavour to the pasta, while the piquillo peppers add a touch of spicy bite. Combining pasta with these fresh, crunchy veggies not only creates an interesting textural contrast, but will make this salad stretch further without stretching your budget.
25
Spanakopita scrolls
A Greek classic in individual serves: what could be more handy and delicious to bring along to a picnic or brunch, or to serve as a lunchtime appetiser? These budget-friendly spanakopita scrolls are also easy to make ahead and transport, so they’re a no-brainer as a bring-a-plate option. The trick to making these crisp little snacks extra tasty is to season them generously with pepper. It really brings the flavours together and adds a subtle warmth to the mix.
26
Sausage roll scrolls
Is there a more popular party treat for young and old than a classic sausage roll? These cute little scrolls might be what nudges them into second place. In three easy steps, and using just five ingredients, you can have a batch of 36 bite-sized, budget-friendly snacks ready to bring. Perfect for packing up for a picnic or catering for a crowd, these clever twists on a classic will disappear as fast as you can make them. Feel free to swap out the sausages for your favourite kind.
27
Carrot noodle salad with chilli and pepitas
Quick and easy to make in just two steps, and packed with contrasting flavours and textures, this vibrant salad is an ideal option to bring along to a barbie, relaxed lunch or dinner. For a larger crowd, just double up on the ingredients. Best eaten at room temperature to allow the flavours to shine, it’s the perfect make-ahead salad. It also works well with spiralised zucchini – just make sure you drain the zucchini well to remove any excess liquid before you add it to the frying pan.
28
Spinach, kale and cheddar loaf
A savoury, veggie-packed loaf makes an impressive, budget-friendly accompaniment to a brunch, barbecue or buffet-style lunch. You could also slice this into bite-sized chunks and serve it as an appetiser, individually topped with the sour cream and sweet chilli sauce. Whichever way you serve it, it will travel well, either wrapped in its loaf pan, or stored in an airtight container. Just don’t forget to bring the sour cream and sweet chilli sauce for the luscious topping!
29
Chinese-style cucumber salad
Refreshing, crunchy and with a touch of chilli, this is a simple yet spectacular take on a Chinese classic. It’s the perfect budget-friendly salad to bring to a Lunar New Year gathering or other Asian-style feast, but also shines when paired with simple barbecued seafood or meats. If you don’t have a spiraliser, you could also use a vegetable peeler to shave the cucumbers lengthways into strips – or do it the traditional way by bashing them with a rolling pin into roughly chopped chunks.
30
Traybake chicken sliders
Sliders are the perfect travel-friendly party treat, and these cute and tasty little appetisers can be assembled in just 10 minutes. Best of all, you can make the shredded chicken filling in advance and freeze it until you need it. If you want to serve these hot, prepare and fill the split brioche sliders with the remaining ingredients, then pack them in single layers between baking paper in an airtight container, popping the chopped parsley in a reusable bag to sprinkle on before serving. The sliders only need 5-8 minutes in the oven when you get to your destination.
31
Gluten-free Tim Tam cheesecake
Whatever the occasion, this indulgent, no-bake, all-Australian dessert is bound to please a crowd – and it’s gluten-free, too! It’s also an easy make-ahead option, as you’ll need to refrigerate it overnight to set in the pan. All you have to do on the day is transfer it to a serving plate, finish it off with toppings and pack it into a cake carrier. Keep the cheesecake cool while you’re in transit by either placing the carrier in a cooler bag or wrapping it in tea towels.
32
Cherry clafoutis
Summer cherries are always special – whether you serve them straight out of the bowl or turn them into this superstar dessert. Based on the classic French pudding, this cherry clafoutis tastes just as good served at room temperature as it does straight from the oven, so you can make, bake and take it without a worry. It will also transport easily in its dish, which makes it the ideal summer dessert for every occasion, from an indulgent dinner party to a family barbecue. For extra party panache, pack the macerated cherries into a separate airtight container and spoon them over when you’re ready to serve.
33
Chocolate-hazelnut pull-apart
For a chocolate dessert that looks and tastes sophisticated and indulgent, this tasty treat takes just 20 minutes to prepare and bake. It also happens to be delicious – sweet, but not too sweet – and you only need four ingredients to make it. Easy to transport, it’s ideal to bring to a brunch or high tea, or to serve with coffee after a celebratory dinner. This flaky, buttery pull-apart would also make a beautiful centrepiece for a selection of desserts at a party.
Here are some tips to help you choose and transport your dish:
Check with your hosts to see what menu gaps need filling. Would they like something sweet or savoury? Finger food or salad? Any dietary requirements?
Don’t stress about making enough for everyone; there are sure to be other guests contributing, too.
Bring a plate that’s ready to serve or quick to assemble so you can make it easy on your hosts (and not make too much mess in their kitchen!). All these recipes are designed to bring as they are or need minimal last-minute heating or assembling.
Make sure you have the right containers for the job. If your food needs to be kept warm (or chilled), the containers need to seal securely and be insulated. A regular cooler bag is just as effective for transporting hot food as it is for cold.
Tea towels are your friends! Pack them around containers to help retain heat or cold (and to soak up any unforeseen seepages in transit!).
If the dish needs to be assembled at the last minute, keep salad greens or toppings crisp, and pack those ingredients separately in airtight containers or reusable bags.