I'm NOT a cook... I don't even have a kitchen, just a drive-up window for deliveries! (It's just a wishful JOKE!)
However, I AM a gatherer of information! Read on...
The
Real Simple magazine, Dec '02/Jan '03 issue, had a nice section titled, Open House. One of the recipes (on p.195) really intrigued me, and may be just what you are looking for:
Potato-Apple Gratin
Hands-on time: 30 minutes /
total time: 2 hours /
makes 10 servings
3 eggs
3 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teasppons kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices
2 pounds Granny Smith apples (unpeeled, cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 pound Swiss cheese, shredded
1/4 pound Parmasan, grated
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 3-1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, thyme, salt, and pepper; set aside. Arrange a layer of slightly over-lappying potatoes in the casserole. Cover with a layer of apples and sprinkle with a third of each cheese. Pour a third of the egg mixture on top. Make 2 more layers. (Can be made up to 6 hours ahead.) Bake, covered, 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Remove from oven. Serve warm or at room temperature.
NOTE: Assemble 3 casseroles to serve 30. Put one in the oven every 45 minutes so there is always a fresh gratin on the buffet.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Doesn't that sound wonderful, and very practical I thought by being able to make it ahead, then stagger the baking to keep the table full. Also, the fact that it can be served warm or at room temperature is a Huge PLUS for a buffet!
Good luck! and God bless your get-together!
Food Ideas Needed for Block party 
