what do you bring to a potluck?

[missypie]

I love desserts...but I'm allergic to nuts...most of the desserts people bring to pot lucks have nuts...so I always bring a nut-free dessert, so that there is at least one dessert I can eat.

On the subject of pot lucks, it would be great if everyone made a little sign that told what your food was, including a special note if it contains nuts. I watch out for nuts in desserts, but sometimes I'm surprised by nuts in salads, dressings, etc. I love the creamy jello salads, but I have to pass on all of them because about half the time they contain nuts. (At work we have a Thanksgiving pot luck and one dear friend always makes a nut-free portion of her dessert just for me!!!)

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

How about a sign that said "Nuts made this dish" that would pretty much explain a lot of the food you eat at a potluck.

Jeff

 

[Talking Hands]

Pot of spaghetti and meat sauce
Bratwurst and sauerkraut.
Mac and cheese with ham
Fruit platter for dessert
Diet sodas (diet rite)

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

If my family has any dietary concerns I will bring something I know that my family can eat.

Here's one I love for summer and it is so pretty if you have a crystal bowl to put it in. I buy 3-4 different flavored sorbets from our local ice cream parlor and scoop them into the dish. Alternate scoops so it comes out really colorful. Sometimes I put butter cookies around the edge of the bowl. Is usually a big hit since it is a light dessert after a bunch of food.

 

[LindaG4458]

People usually ask me to bring my MIL's Swedish Meatballs (authentic - she was straight off the boat). There is no sauce, but a taste of cinnamon make them unusual.

Swedish Meatballs
from the kitchen of E. Louise Gibson

2 pounds hamburg
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs unbeaten
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
OR
1 medium onion, grated
Hot water


Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with your hands. Use as much water as necessary to bind it all together, but the mixture should be firm enough to form a ball that will retain its shape.

Brown meatballs in a fry pan and then reduce heat and cover. Cook until meatballs are well done (about 15-20 minutes depending upon the size of the meatballs). Shake the pan several times while cooking to maintain the shape of the meatballs.

 

[my3kids]

For things where there are kids....church potlucks, neighborhood parties, etc, I always take a couple packages of hotdogs cooked and in their buns with a bottle of ketchup on the side. Not fancy, not for the grownups, but my kids HATE things mixed together. Anything that even remotely looks like a cassserole will not work for them. My silly little no prep hotdogs are always the first empty dish!

 

[Piglet's Pal]

I have a few items that I like to make depending on my mood and where I am going.

Yummy Bacon Potatoes
Oriental Salad
Spinach Slaw
Deviled Eggs
M & M Pretzel Candies

I'm in the mood for a Pot Luck!

PP

 

[powellrj]

I know deviled eggs are always the first things to go at potlucks and cheese balls usually go over well.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Another vote for good 'ol Deviled Eggs!!! They are inexpensive to make and always go first. The secret is not making them too runny. They just look so gross when the filling is all flat and gooey looking. Also, when using Paprika -- place some in the palm of your hand and use two fingers to grab a pinch and sparingly sprinkle it on top. Too much paprika looks icky as well.

Here's a great recipe for cocktail weenies:
Throw them in a saucepan or crockpot with equal parts salsa and honey. They are yummy...sweet and spicy and the same time.

 

[oogieboogie]

some pot and some luck!

Seriously, people love when I bring oriental salad:

1 head napa cabbage
1 pack ramen noodle (chicken flavor is the best)
6 stalks green onions (scallions)
Sesame seeds
Sliced almonds

Dressing:
1 pack ramen noodle seasoning
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
1/2 cup of sugar
3/4 cup oil (veggie/canola/olive)

Shred napa cabbage. Crush ramen noodle. Toast sesame seeds and almonds. Slice green onions. Put in bowl.

Mix all dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Toss. Serve to hungry people.

 

[jennyanydots]

I made this the other night:



1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni or penne pasta

2 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 ounces)

1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese

4 ounces sliced pepperoni, cut into slivers (1 cup)

1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper





1. Heat large covered saucepot of salted water to boiling over high heat. Add rigatoni and cook as label directs.

2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 3- to 3 1/2-quart casserole (about 2 inches deep) or 13" by 9" glass baking dish.

3. In large bowl, with wire whisk, lightly beat eggs. Stir in milk, mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, pepperoni, frozen peas, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Drain rigatoni. Add rigatoni to cheese mixture and toss to coat. Transfer rigatoni mixture to prepared casserole. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are golden and center is almost set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Another great potluck item is a great big tub of Cotton Candy. Be the hit of your next potluck dinner when you walk in carrying bags of this delicious morsel. And think about it, what would be easier to carry than a bag of Cotton Candy. So if you want to be the hit of the party, stop by the Fair Food poll and vote for Cotton Candy. Save your back and save the party, vote Cotton Candy.

Jeff

 

[kadaten]

I get a lot of requests for my

Confetti Salsa

--2 cans shoepeg corn, drained (or one can white, one can yellow)
--2 cans black beans, drained
--1 red onion, diced
--2 peppers diced, any color (although for variety of taste and color, I usually do 1 green pepper and then 1/2 red pepper and 1/2 orange pepper)
--1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1/4-1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil

Mix together. Marinate several hours or overnight. Serve with a good sturdy tortilla chip....like Fritos Scoops or Tostitos Scoops!

It's easy since you can do it the day before, very pretty with all the colors, and oh so yummy!!

 

[kadaten]

I get lots of requests for my

Confetti Salsa

--2 cans shoepeg corn, drained (or one can white, one can yellow)
--2 cans black beans, drained
--1 red onion, diced
--2 peppers diced, any color (although for variety of taste and color, I usually do 1 green pepper and then 1/2 red pepper and 1/2 orange pepper)
--1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1/4-1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil

Mix together. Marinate several hours or overnight. Serve with a good sturdy tortilla chip....like Fritos Scoops or Tostitos Scoops!

It's easy since you can do it the day before, very pretty with all the colors, and oh so yummy!!

 

[mamajoan]

oogieboogie! I LOVE when people bring that Asian Cabbage Salad.. oh YUMMMMY!!


I like to bring Mostocolli in a crockpot.... easy
also I do a mean Sour Cream Pound Cake with Fudge frosting...
a pre-slice it for guests.
Garlic Bread goes over BIG TIME... I usually take 4 or more loaves, heat em up and pre slice them.. yum!
A Big veggie plate, or big Veggie Salad or an ez Ceasar Salad.
Always bring diet lemonade and extra to mix up for later!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

If you are a good Lutheran from Iowa, any kind of Jello mold would be appropriate..

 

[4disneyfans]

Seven layer salad..lettuce,celery,purple onion,green peas,miracle whip and topped with lots of cheddar cheese.

Death by Chocolate Trifle...Brownies chopped up,ice cream fudge sauce,cool whip and layer like this a second time...I had this with chopped toffoe too...

German chocolate cake with caramel and cool whip...Make a cake by instructions on box..poke holes and add a can of Eagle Brand milk and ice cream caramel topping..cool and cover with cool whip.

These always go quickly!!!!

 

[NMAmy]

These are great--I've been cutting and pasting into another document so I can give some of these a try. But, kadaten? What is shoepeg corn? I've never heard of this before.

I usually bring a big crockpot full of chili, a green chile/egg casserole or, the one that people BEG me for: Lemonade Pie. This is SO easy and a huge hit, especially in the summer.

One graham cracker crust (purchased works fine)
2 cups vanilla or french vanilla ice cream (softened slightly)
1 container Cool Whip
1 small frozen pink lemonade concentrate (I think it's 6 oz)

Let the lemonade defrost a bit, then put in a big mixing bowl. Add ice cream and combine using a mixer. Fold in Cool Whip. Put mixture in the pie crust and freeze for several hours.

I had a friend who craved this when she was pregnant. I took it to a potluck and she wouldn't let anyone NEAR it. She brought it to her table and ate 3 big pieces, then took the rest home!

 

[auntpolly]

Always the same thing! Deviled eggs!

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by NMAmy
These are great--I've been cutting and pasting into another document so I can give some of these a try. But, kadaten? What is shoepeg corn? I've never heard of this before.

"Tip: Shoepeg Corn

White shoepeg corn, named for its peglike shape, is available frozen; it has smaller kernels and is sweeter than yellow corn."

Some of our stores carry it canned, too But regular white or yellow or whatever works. Good substitute to get the sweetness is Del Monte's Summer Crisp Corn.....sweet and crisp!