Potluck Paradise: Soup and Culture Snack Potluck

Girl Scout "Pigs in Potatoes" Snack

Here at Potluck Paradise headquarters we're not shy about borrowing--a cup of sugar, yesterday's newspaper, a really GREAT idea. So here is an idea we're sharing to celebrate our own National Potluck Month.

Back in January 2008, our friends Barbara and Chas made a resolution to do "one cultural thing each month." Unlike the resolutions we made in January 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. and 2012--they have kept it! Now more than sixty exhibits, performances, concerts, lectures, public programs, discussions, and discoveries of charming museums later, they are still going strong. Barbara has posted some of their activities and discoveries on her Facebook page leading us to share in some of those adventures and find new places ourselves.

We got to thinking not only is this a great idea, it is a terrific platform for a potluck party!

So, now is the time to adopt this resolution and encourage your friends to do the same. Then, once a month, or once a quarter, have a Soup and Cultural Snack Potluck. Host family provides the big pot of soup. Everyone else brings the finger foods to share. Those foods--conversation starters--should represent something about the cultural event or trip from their recent visits.

There are plenty of things to do in big cities and even the smallest towns have adventures if you go looking. Our favorite small town of Clear Lake, Iowa (population 8,000), has the Firehouse Museum, the Pioneering Museum, and the Arts Center and public library each with a variety of programs. And that's just scratching the surface.

Here in the Twin Cities cultural opportunities seem to be around every corner. While thinking about a recipe to include in this post, I decided to feature one of my favorite small community resources and museums. As February 8, 1910 is the officially recognized birthday of Boy Scouting in America, the North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting seemed a natural. The museum is located just off Highway 36 in North St. Paul. They offer programs for the public and for scouting groups. Check their website for hours and opportunities. North Star Museum.

A while ago I did a program for the museum on old time scouting foods. Now I've adapted the Girl Scout hearty "pigs in potatoes" into a two-bite appetizer. The flourless oatmeal cookies are easily made and a light end to a meal full of sharing.

Girl Scout Pigs in Potatoes

12 "B"-size red potatoes, pick ones that are about an inch diameter

1 package fully cooked "brown and serve" sausage links--one for each potato

1/2 cup finely grated Cheddar cheese--2 teaspoons for each potato

Scrub and gently boil the potatoes until tender. Cool and slice in half. With a small spoon scoop out a hollow bowl in the middle of the potato halves, reserving the scooped out potato bits. Cook the sausage according to package directions then dice.

Combine the cooked potato, diced sausage and grated cheese. Gently press back into the potato shell. Warm under the broiler or in the microwave until the cheese melts. Serve hot or at room temperature. These can be prepared ahead and easily reheated.

Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

2 eggs, beaten separately

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch salt

2 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 cup nuts or coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the egg whites until stiff and set aside. Combine the egg yolks and sugar and beat. Mix in the melted butter and vanilla. Stir in the baking powder, salt and oatmeal and nuts. Last, fold in the beaten egg whites. Drop onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until light brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let baked cookies sit on sheet for a minute and then remove to cooling rack. Yield: 6 dozen cookies