Giusi > wrote:

> Raw veg with dips served with Jello shooters
> Chicken pot pie
> molded gelatin salad
> green salad with "stuff" in it and with real dressing
> biscuits
>
> Any suggestions for non-salad sides? (Not green bean casserole.) Not all
> American ingredients are available here in small city Italy.

Jeff Smith (the Frugal Gourmet) recommended fried corn with green chile
to be served with the chicken pot pie. Maybe you can find the necessary
ingredients. Here is his recipe, from _The Frugal Gourmet Cooks
American_:

Fried Corn with Green Chile

This is very quick and offers a most unusual combination of American
flavors. You need not just serve this with Mexican dinners, as it will
go well with many main courses.

3 cups fresh corn off the cob or frozen kernels, defrosted
1/2 cup peeled and diced yellow onion
3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles (I like Ortega brand best.)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large frying pan sauté the corn and onions in butter until tender.
Add the chiles and check for salt and pepper.

> Also an iconic dessert that can be made ahead.

Apple tart, carrot pudding, syllabub, cheese curd pudding.

> Everything needs to be able to be made in quantity ahead of time and not
> need much last minute fiddling. It is to be good American food and not a
> joke. I will be serving American wines, which here means Gallo, but the
> higher end Gallo!

Can't you order American wines from an online source?

Victor