Potluck Planning

A potluck playbook for your next party

Whether it’s holiday season or just another office party, potlucks have a way of sneaking up on us and causing stress for even the most seasoned home cooks. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can participate without a hassle by having a strategy. Here are a few tips to make potluck-party anxiety a thing of the past.

Choose Recipes Wisely. Master the pot luck game by sticking to one recipe and owning it. Try the Sweet and Spicy Cornhuskers Pudding or One Dish Baked Orzo with Ham, Spinach and Feta. Each time you “practice” the recipe will become easier. That translates to less time in the kitchen and more time for you.

Pick Ingredients that Travel. Anything that’s going to head downhill after a few minutes is out of the question. Poor choices include quesadillas, fried foods and anything else that becomes tough and rubbery after sitting for a sort time. Great options are pastas, casseroles and cut vegetables that can wait for slow moving guests to graze. When serving green salads, leave them undressed for as long as possible or offer dressing on the side to prevent wilting.

Focus on Food Safety. Potluck buffets often sit at room temperature for a while before people are through eating. Avoid your chances of spoiling the party by serving foods that hold up well without excess heat or refrigeration. For instance, rather than serving mayonnaise based salads, go for vinaigrettes and other sauces and dressings with high acidity. Crock-Pots can be your potluck friend; they can easily keep dips, soups, or stews warm for an extended period of time. When bringing a cold food item, keep it chilled by setting on a bowl of crushed ice.

Plan the Presentation. A beautiful plate goes a long way to dressing up a simple dish. Give height to simple sandwiches by stacking them or serving them on their sides. Serve fruit kebabs arranged in a pretty vase instead of fruit salad from a bowl. Sprinkle dark fudgey desserts like brownies or gingerbread with snowy powdered sugar and garnish creamy cheesecake and angel’s food with whole berries or fruit purees. Finishing touches like fresh chopped herbs, crispy bacon bits and toasted nuts can elevate your dish from another boring buffet item to something special. Pack these ingredients separately and sprinkle on top of your pasta, greens or grains just before guests begin to eat.

Cook Ahead of Time. If you know you have multiple potlucks on your calendar, set aside some time to make your meals in advance, freeze them and reheat, as you need. Stews, casseroles and baked pastas are great options. Double, or even triple, your recipe and then freeze in oven proof casserole dishes. When its time for the party, simply pop them into the oven or microwave to bring them up to temperature and you’re good to go.