Recipes

[sfnative]

For some time now, I've been taking an "Israeli Cous Cous Salad."  Quite simple to make the night before, with only 2 adds right before serving.  Great for all, including vegans and vegetarians, too.

Israeli Couscous Salad

Wash Israeli couscous in cold water according to package directions. Cook 2 cups Israeli cous cous as directed; drain. Saute 1 diced onion in 1 Tbs olive oil with a nice pinch of cinnamon until golden, 5 minutes. Add ¾ cup golden raisins and 2 tablespoons water and cook 2 addl minutes; toss with the couscous and chopped Italian parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Chill. Before serving, stir in one drained can of Mandarin orange slices, cut in half, and a slight handful of sliced almonds.

                                            Enjoy!

[Warrior2022]

I moved to Texas a few years ago. I've had my fill of Texmex.  The first potluck I brought pasta salad, it was the only dish gone, completely empty.  Second potluck, the same thing.  The third is coming up and it has been requested.  It is so easy!  My coworkers had never even heard of it!

I use sprial pasta, cook per package directions.  One large block of cheese, any kind, cube it.  I cucumber chopped.  One half red onion chopped.  I pint cherry tomatoes halfed.  About 3/4 package of the small pepperoni.  Toss with half a bottle of Italian dressing.  Let sit overnight, add the other half of the dressing the next morning.  Done.

Just to add, I don't eat at these potlucks.  I've seen the mess these people leave in the bathroom, around their desks.  There was a pile of old food layng around when I started there.  I kept track in my head everytime I went in.  I finally cleaned up the old food droppings at month 3.

[LoveMyBaby]

@Warrior2022

Your pasta salad recipe sounds delish. 👍🏼 I too, could never partake (for the same reasons) but enjoyed contributing. Ppl love their office pot-lucks! 

[Warrior2022]

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@LoveMyBaby wrote:

@Warrior2022

Your pasta salad recipe sounds delish. 👍🏼 I too, could never partake (for the same reasons) but enjoyed contributing. Ppl love their office pot-lucks! 

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Lol, no kidding.  My next potluck is back to school.  We are not teachers.  So just not sure where it came from.  The needed list included PB and J "sammies"  Ham and cheese "sammies" Red apples, Goldfish, juice boxes, potato chips, fruit snacks.  I can't even remember what else.  I signed up for the goldfish.  I have had at least 4 people come to me and ask if I was bringing the pasta salad.  Oh and the last time I took it, people brought containers and cups to go. 

I just thought of something.  I have a fresh bag of shredded carrots.  Think I will make it and toss them in. 

[lovesrecess]

I have also taken this salad to a potluck at work and it is always one of the first things to go. A crockpot of chili with containers of garnishes is also always popular when it is cooler weather

[Financialgrl]

My go to for every potluck/family barbeque - homemade mac n cheese.  I have a round Pyrex glass dish with a plastic lid and insulated carrying case which came with one cold pak (blue ice) and one hot pak.  

I make mac n cheese an hour before I have to leave, take it out piping hot, let it sit for about 1/2 hr - microwave the hot pak and put it and the mac n cheese in the insulated carrier.  We never eat for about 4 hours and the mac n cheese doesn't need anything. I put it out of the way and by time to eat when you take it out it's still pretty warm (not hot).  It's cooled enough that it's got texture (think how lasagna gets if you let it to "set").  It needs zero outlets, no heating up and there's NEVER any left.  I've been to family barbeques where niece/nephew's friends said how good it is bc they've never had REAL mac n cheese - always outta the blue box at their house!  I use a recipe that decades ago was on the back of the Mueller's macaroni box. 

[tarsmom]

I've made a cheese ball that people seem to love.  Easy enough to make the night before and portable.  

I cut up some fruit, add some canned fruit and a can of peach pie filling.  Mix gently and it looks really pretty and it a nice change from the heavier dishes.

I have made ambrosia too - people enjoy it.  Pineapple, sour cream, coconut, mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows.  I usually top with a few maraschino cherries for color.

Hope you're getting some good ideas

[novamc1]

Here's a tool that any neighborhood or group can use to give details about time and place, allow  people to sign up for the category of dishes (main, side, salad, dessert, etc.) that they intend to bring-- and let others RSVP if they won't be able to attend or participate.

Saves a lot of time, lets everyone know what others are bringing, and  indicates approximate quantity to make for the party, prevents too  much duplication of dishes.

Our community of more than 60 homes holds numerous potlucks and we now can't live without with this easy method.  It has changed things for the better!

http://www.perfectpotluck.com

[kittyloo]

@denisemb  i like your idea for the grape jelly/chili sauce meatballs, but i can taste a frozen store bought meatball a mile away.  seems like the potlucks i go to anymore, are filled with more and more store bought items. 

the art of actually baking or cooking a dish is going by the wayside.  i know, people are busy, and i get it. 

remember when you could go to a potluck, and everything was homeade with love.  

those were the good old days.