cooking for a potluck

[eruthros]

m_shell and I have been invited to a housewarming party tomorrow, which is a barbecue and potluck. Simultaneously. m_shell is in Wisconsin right now, and will be lucky to get back in time, so this means I have to cook.

I know that, generally speaking, people like easy stuff just as much as complicated stuff. I mean, chocolate chip cookies are almost always welcome. But we've been challenged. The email says "I know cooking is a forte for so many of you, so we're looking forward to the potluckyness." I know they're including us in that, which means I have to make something I'll be proud of cooking. And I like chocolate chip cookies, but they don't make me feel all "I did that! Whee!" But I also need something where all the ingredients are easily carried and the final product is portable on a bus. Because I am housemate-less, and thus car-less.

I'm considering this apple-chocolate-almond pseudo-torte with amaretto whipped cream from the Enchanted Broccoli Forest cookbook, which is fab, but many of these folks have had it before. They liked it, but they've had it before. I've served this recipe for chocolate banana bread pudding before for a different crowd, without the mint creme anglaise, and everyone's liked it, but I think I'd have to be really careful carrying it, and it might be too rich. The recipe, though I initially came across it as recommended by an entirely different New Orleans chef, is originally from Emeril, whom I dislike, but the pudding is good. It might be awkward, though, because I usually like to credit the recipe if anyone asks. That's one of the benefits of head recipes, like my much-meddled-with chocolate mousse one. I can just rattle 'em out if people want them ...

Clearly, I'm starting to run out of easy dessert recipes that taste and look like they're much more work than they actually are...

Hmmm. Any suggestions, anyone?