What's a potluck?

A potluck is a dinner where each person bring a favorite dish to contribute so that there is plenty of good food to go around and be shared by everyone.

Sometimes they are more organized, like the meat is provided and everyone else can bring a long time favorite family recipe. We used to do that at work for Thanksgiving. Our boss would provide turkey, ham and drinks and we would all contribute side dishes and desserts.

Within family gatherings potlucks usually take on traditions, someone will become known for their great baked beans or their red velvet cake... and people will beg and plead with you lovingly to bring their favorites!

Back to what to bring, if you have a favorite recipe you're all set, if you don't really cook, you can bring fresh veggies, dip, cut up fruit, dinner rolls that sort of thing. Something easy and not too much $, time or effort.

If you need a recipe, I bet that other DS members would be happy to lend a recipe or idea...like if there is a theme for the event. I went to one that was appetizers only and I just picked up some wings and called it a day.

Well, there are the two easy-to-make classics that have been showing up at potlucks for decades:

1. Watergate Salad - that lovely fluffy green concoction of marshmallows, crushed pineapple and lime jello. Actually tastes quite good.

2. Sausage Balls - made from Bisquik, bulk sausage and cheese.

I love Allrecipes.com, they have a recipe for every occassion.

Pssst.... I'll give you my recipie for killer apple cake. I make it for practice nights with my bf's band. The boys always sneak back upstairs for "just one more piece..."
Plus it's a cake from scratch but so easy you won't believe it!

Thanks RuthMarie for explaining whats a potluck, I will try that website allrecipes,com and Yes Fourthmuse I would love to try your recipe, sounds yummy and I'm going to check out the sausage ball recipe Awsome thanks for the suggestions friends. Everyone have a blessful day! Lisa Marie

Can't go wrong with sausage balls. Only uses three ingredients. Bisquik's main site has this recipe and many others.

Good luck with your potluck. :)

Wintertime is the perfect time for twice-baked potatoes!! Russets are cheap and have the best skin for baking!! Smaller russets cut in half make for perfect sized finger food. (A little bit labor intensive, but well worth the trouble!)

WASH & BAKE potatoes for 50 minutes to an hour at 400 degrees! LET them rest for awhile (10 minutes) so that you can handle them, but don't let them get too cold or else the skins will tear and rip on you!! With a sharp knife, CUT the baked potatoes lengthwise into halves, then using a dinner spoon, scoop out all the potato insides and mash them up with other yummy ingredients and seasonings! (I like to sautee an onion until golden brown and mix that into the potato mixture) .... you can add sour cream, butter, cheese, olives, garlic, chives, steamed broccoli, bacon, or whatever you enjoy eating! Once the mixture is all mashed up and seasoned with salt, pepper & whatever else you like, taste it, and then PILE the potato filling back into the skins and top with a little paprika or a sprinkle of cheese and put these back into the hot oven for 10 - 20 minutes, depending upon the ingredients in the filling. YOU can even take these stuffed spuds cold to a dinner party and pop them into your host's hot oven to serve to guests piping hot!! They will generally hold up pretty well and taste very good at room temputature!! (Best to not go too hog-wild on the butter which tends to make for a more greasier end result. But, a little butter, margarine or even olive oil makes for a very good mouth-feel!!)
THIS IS A REAL CROWD PLEASER - EVEN WITH THE KIDS!!
(My mother used to stick in a potato chip sideways for a little sail! She called them potato boats!)

3c apples peeled and chopped
1 1/3 c canola oil
2c sugar
2 eggs
21/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla


Mix oil, sugar and eggs and beat till creamy. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, then mix to wet mix. (if you don't have a sifter, a fork works just fine!) Add vanilla. Gently mix in apples. Put in greased pan and bake at 350 for almost an hour, till it's golden brown.

I usually use either Fuji or Honeycrisp apples for this. It's really good without icing, but you can also ice it with a mix of cool whip, caramel sauce, and a touch of powdered sugar all mixed together. The powdered sugar makes the cool whip thicker but doesn't change the taste.

What did you decide on? I am a baker so I always bring some sort of dessert...

Spinach dip and 7 layer dip are also popular.

Doreen

potlucks are usually a bunch of side dishes and desserts.

Casseroles make perfect potlucks and are usually the easiest way to go. Just one-dish it and slap it on the table at the potluck!

There's dozens of casserole recipes on the internet - pick one that includes your favorite ingredients.

Sausage balls are a huge family favorite...my problem (with my illnesses) is that it is hard to mix and roll all those delicious hands down favorites...so I get the kids to come over and help...now we all share in the process, it removes the physical barrier for me...and we all have fun together.