Dave,  I can relate to trying new dishes.. and bringing them home to eat.  My Mom likes to have the same thing for holidays, and I've tried to take the approach to try some new dishes.  Sometimes they work, sometimes they bomb.

I tend to look to salads because salads can be made ahead of time, and easily transported - without regards to keeping them warm. One salad that I have made is a broccoli salad.  It has gone over big with my Mom. Every family get together we have, she requests that I bring it. Another salad that I tried is a Sicilian salad.  My niece really likes this one.  I think there are two things that "make" a salad: a) the dressing; and b) the color of the salad.  My opinion is having more color in a salad makes it more appetizing.  Okay, how can you add color?  Cheddar cheese gives the yellow color; bacon adds a darker color; cauliflower gives a white color; broccoli gives the green; etc.  You get the drift.  A good balance of color presents an appetizing dish to serve. 

I am sure you can find many recipes for salads, especially broccoli salads.  However, if you want my specific recipe(s), drop me an e-mail, or post a response here.

Martin