Among all the kinds of holiday entertaining, Potlucks are our favorites. They can vary in style from fancy where the best family silver and cloth napkins grace sit-down dining to a casual neighborhood get-together as a way to share the wealth of too many leftovers.
Swapping extra lefse for spare latka, both with related traditional toppings, would be a delicious cultural exchange. Yum! makes me wonder what an all-potato potluck could be made of . . . okay THAT will be a topic for another post, you bet 'cha.
For these weeks of holiday hoopla, we're listing some of our favorite tips for successful potlucks along with wishes for a happy holiday season with lots of leftover joy for the New Year. There are also several proven Potluck Paradise favorites at Rae's Kitchen website. Click on link at upper right of this page to go directly.
1. Balance is good, Health is even better. The host or organizer should not be afraid to ask for volunteers to bring specific kinds of dishes, or even assign them. Ask people to bring recipes or have notecards at the ready so ingredients can be listed and put next to the dish. That way people who must avoid nuts, gluten, chocolate, or other common foods can be informed and know what is safe for them to enjoy.
2. Not everyone has to cook. Someone could bring the beverages, bread, or even the disposable plates, utensils, and napkins.
3. Proper temperature is key. Have room in refrigerator or coolers ready to keep things chilled. Have oven ready to reheat and don’t keep foods out at room temperature for more than an hour.
4. Easy table organization. Have spots figured out for main course, sides, and desserts so it is easy for guests to know where to put their contributions when they walk in the door with casserole or desert tray in hand.
5. Serve yourself. Host should have plenty of serving dishes, hot pads, and serving utensils on hand for those who forgot to bring their own. Have powerstrips at the ready to plug in crockpots.
6. RSVP puzzles? These busy days when traffic is hectic, weather can be uncertain and, dare we say, illness an uninvited complication; it is a good idea to assure the meat of the meal will be there. Have either the host or or a totally reliable guest responsible for the main course.
7. Don’t skimp on plates. Sturdy plates prevent spills. Splurge on more expensive, but spill-resistant thick paper or plastic plates. Consider straw paper plate holders or, for a green potluck, use china.
8. Spice of life. Host or organizer should be sure there are condiments – salt, pepper, butter, catsup, etc.
9. Turning up the heat. If a dish will need reheating make sure a moderate oven temperature will do the job. With most dishes happily heating at 350o F., a dish needing 425 o F. would be an imposition. Have a meat thermometer at the ready to test internal temperature of any food to be served hot.
10. Loving Potluck leftovers. Have supply of plastic ware—maybe those old yogurt or margarine tubs “saved” in your cupboard. Guests can split up any leftovers and continue the potluck fun for their next meal at home.
And finally. . .
Cleanliness is next to . . . Clearly mark garbage bags and recycling bins so guests know where to toss what.
Happy Holidays from the pages of Potluck Paradise and the bottom of our hearts!
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