OT - Tasting Bee | Arthritis Information

I'm certain there are members of this board who know what a "tasting bee" is. For those of you who do may I ask a favor? I consented to bring a food selection of any kind to a tasting bee being held the end of April. Now once again I don't want to bring the same ol' same ol' kind of food item one would expect to find. Does anyone have any ideas or good recipes you would be willing to share with me? What is a tasting bee? A "tasting bee" is a smorgaasbord of a variety of foods. Each person participating brings a food item of their choice and the recipe. The food brought is portioned into small samples for those attending to try. The sample size depends upon the food brought and the generosity or the stinginess of the person bringing the food.
For our "tasting bee" we didn't specify what type of food to brought. Some do like limiting it to say appetizers, bars, etc.
Our group will be putting our recipes in a booklet. It's frustrating to try and hold many separate recipes while you're trying to taste everything.
Ooooohhh neat!

Some people have posted some yummy recipes on arthritis haven. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you peeking. :)
Katie. Thanks for the info. I've never heard of a tasting bee before.,...nice idea!

This is one of my favorite desserts, but today was the first day I made it myself. One of my good friends came over almost every weekend this last summer and would bring this for me every weekend...and I would live on the stuff all week. I would eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am a big fruit eater in the summer, and this was just perfect. (and I lost a bunch of weight over the summer, and wonder if this had anything to do with it) I know it sounds weird with what is in it, and when my friend told me the first time, I thought it sounded gross...but it is like a grape cheesecake taste...she always uses the red grapes, and I did too, as they are my favorite, so I am not sure what it is like with green grapes.

Grape Dish

5 lbs Red or Green Grapes, washed & dried
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 c sugar
1 T vanilla extract
1/2 c brown sugar
1 1/2 c finely chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

Beat the sugar and the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy (lots easier to get the lumps out this way). Use a REALLY BIG bowl. Combine the sour cream and vanilla extract with the cream cheese mixture. Add the grapes to the bowl and fold to combine. Pour into 13x9-inch pan. Set aside. In small(ish) bowl, combine brown sugar and nuts. Sprinkle evenly over grapes and refrigerate until serving. If made ahead of time and refrigerated uncovered, topping may get the cruchy bits (my fav); if covered, the topping will stay soft.