Potlucks allow guests to share their favorite dishes for a diverse eating experience.
The Oxford English Dictionary first printed the term "potluck" in the 16th century when it defined a potluck as one's luck or chance as to what may be in the pot, i.e. cooked for a meal; it related to when a traveler stopped for a meal at a stranger's home and had no idea what he might be served. In modern times, potlucks are still popular meal choices and guests at a potluck gathering still take a chance of not knowing what others will bring. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Casseroles
Casseroles are probably the quintessential staple of any potluck. Casseroles can be made in advance, often with few ingredients, and yield enough portions for a large crowd. They can be tailored to fit any form of potluck, be it for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. For a breakfast or brunch, make a cheese potato quiche with golden-baked hashbrowns and a filling of eggs, Swiss and pepper jack cheeses. For lunch or dinner, make a layered chicken enchilada casserole or a pizza casserole made with pasta, tomato sauce, mushrooms, olives and mozzarella cheese; with hamburger, onions, tater tots and cream of mushroom soup, you can make a tater tot casserole perfect as a side dish or main course.
Slow-Cooker Dishes
Slow-cooker recipes are the perfect dishes to take to a potluck because you can start the recipe at home and finish it wherever you need to take it; additionally, the cooker serves as a built-in carrying dish. A slow-cooker is not just for soups and chilies; you can cook a lasagna in the slow-cooker to feed a big crowd, make side dishes like corn pudding or macaroni and cheese, or even desserts like crust-less pumpkin pie, bread pudding or creme brûl e.
Appetizers and Snacks
Appetizers and snacks are an integral part of a potluck. Basic appetizers and snacks you can tote to your next potluck include a seven-layer taco dip, homemade guacamole, miniature sausages and deviled eggs. Go beyond basic with bacon deviled eggs made with bacon and green onions, wasabi crab dip, chicken canapes or short ribs slow-cooked in an Asian-ginger sauce.
Desserts
A potluck is not complete without dessert. For a chocolate lover, consider making a German chocolate cake, chocolate-caramel torte or homemade chocolate truffles. For a fruit lover, a strawberry rhubarb pie, blueberry torte or lemon-raspberry cream cheese bars make refreshing summer treats. Homemade ice cream, fried donuts and strawberry shortcake are old-fashioned ideas that would satisfy any guest at a potluck.
Tags: breakfast brunch, deviled eggs, lunch dinner, made with, with bacon