holiday potluck musings

kittyloo · ‎03-11-2010

i was just thinking about some of the inevitable potlucks we will be going to this season. i am looking at some interesting dishes. and thinking about past ones i have gone to. i am a adventurous and good cook, but not everyone is a adventurous eater. so i just thought i'd throw out a reminder. if you bring a dish that can't be recognized immediately as to what it is, most wont touch it.

i can remember stretching out a pot roast, (that was expensive) making a saucy creamy gravy, noodles, mushrooms it was delicious. almost no takers. gone were all the lasagnas, mac and cheese, stuff that you could just look at and know what it was. i was looking at some recipes this morning, baked garlic polenta for one, and thought, no that will end up all coming back home.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

That's is so true! Several years ago a friend made a dish for a holiday party. It had prunes, dates, lamb, beef. Several types of nuts and whole grains. It wasn't just different, it was quite unappealling to look at. She travelled a lot and was an adventerous eater and she forgot that most people are not like that. Her feelings were hurt because she had spent much time and money making that dish. And she made lot!

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I went to my younger sister's home before Halloween to watch a parade that goes past her house. Many people were invited and brought pot luck dishes.

My sister daughter, my niece, brought a vegetable dish that was delicious. It had Brussels sprouts, raisins and either sweet potatoes or pumpkin or both...I am not sure and some other vegetables.

I need to get the recipe from her. It was outstanding and different. It looked pretty too.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@kittyloo

I am a good and adventurous cook as well. Really sad about your pot roast offering, on a good note bet it made excellent leftovers!

When taking something to a pot luck I generally attach a note with the dish name and ingredient listed. I’m a lacto-ova vegetarian 🌱, so people are frequently suspicious, (?) what do they think I might have used?

Anyway, just a thought, can relate to your experience.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

I'm thinking it might not be wise to be adventuresome when bringing food to a potluck. Baked beans, scalloped potatoes and macaroni & cheese are always popular.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@AuntG Around here, no one eats the baked beans. But scalloped potatoes and Mac and cheese are always a hit.

software · ‎06-08-2016

I try to fix something that can be served at room temperature.

I have a recipe for a type of slaw, made with sauerkraut that's been rinsed & drained.

No mayo, but a vinaigrette type dressing, with a little bit of chopped onion & green bell pepper. I made it the day before. My family loves it.

I took it to a pot luck once and brought it right back home!

It's one of those dishes that people don't know what it is or how to eat it.

I'm better at desserts

jannabelle1 · ‎09-12-2010

I don't think it's just my family, but most people (unless there are strict dietary preferences) seem to like simple, tasty, and attractive dishes...make it simple and put a little tag in front of the dish to let people know what it is. I always find it a bit funny that people who buy potato salad or macaroni salad (or whatever) at the grocery deli usually tend to take the entire grocery container back home with them! Make a great dessert and it will be gone in no time!

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I really dislike potlucks. It probably has more to do with me being a picky eater. We have one or two a year at work. You have 100 people participating. Around 50% will bring store bought items. Chips, crackers, cookies, etc. The rest will bring some home made concoctions. Many crock pots. Usually work provides sliced ham or roast beef and rolls.

Hoovermom · ‎03-19-2010

@jannabelle1 wrote:
I don't think it's just my family, but most people (unless there are strict dietary preferences) seem to like simple, tasty, and attractive dishes...make it simple and put a little tag in front of the dish to let people know what it is. I always find it a bit funny that people who buy potato salad or macaroni salad (or whatever) at the grocery deli usually tend to take the entire grocery container back home with them! Make a great dessert and it will be gone in no time!

@jannabelle1: I do a lot of entertaining here in the South and also hire outside help. Have you ever tried Sam's Club potato salad or even Costco's? TDF and always finished off LOL. Of course, I do not serve it in the container that it comes in but put it into a serving bowl sitting on a bed of romaine.