If youre headed to a cookout this weekend, dont even think about showing up empty-handed. When choosing a plate to take, however, there have been a few criteria which contingency be met to make transporting as well as portion a breeze.Rule #1: Bring your plate in a same vessel youll offer it in.Dont take a bag of salad greens, then ask your horde for a portion bowl, as well as dont take a cake as well as ask for a stand. Pack up all in (or take along) whatever we need to offer your dish. (Label anything youd similar to back, or use disposable platters as well as bowls.) Bonus points if we take disposable portion utensils.Ina Gartens Crunchy Noodle Salad + More Summer Party AppetizersRule #2: Room temperature is best.Your hosts have been entertaining, so their refrigerator as well as freezer have been probably stuffed to maximum capacity. Dont stress them serve by asking them to make space for your dish. Side dishes similar to potato salad fit a bill, as do many desserts.6 Packable Picnic DessertsRule #3: Choose a plate with staying power.When we arrive at a cookout, theres no knowing whether dinner will be served in 20 mins or dual hours. Take a plate which can lay out for a bit. Trisha Yearwoods Broccoli Salad gets improved as it marinates, as docoleslawsandmany pasta salads.45 Summer Cookout Salad RecipesRule #4: Dont forget special sauces, dressings or garnishes but container smart.Some dishes only cant be entirely assembled in advance, as well as thats OK. For a plate similar to this Bruschetta, which might get soggy or fall apart in transit, make a toasts as well as tomato reduction at home; container them alone in disposable baggies or containers. At a party, simply put out a toasts (on a platter we brought, of course!) as well as top them right upon a buffet.75 Summer Appetizers (Including Tomato Bruschetta)Rule #5: When in doubt, move homemade dip.Theres a reason why this celebration classic is tried-and-true: Its easy to transport, easy to offer as well as easy to clean up. Its only not a celebration but chips as well as dip!White Bean Dip with Pita, Plus 11 More Super Summer DipsWhat do we similar to to take to summer parties? Tell us in a comments.