Potluck dinners can be very rewarding, as they can feed large crowds with only minimal involvement by each individual. Having everyone bring a dish can be difficult to coordinate, however. Consider establishing a theme for your potluck dinner party, such as a Mexican fiesta or an Italian feast. Within these themes, assign each attendee a type of dish, such as a beverage, appetizer, main dish or dessert. Does this Spark an idea?
Mexican Fiesta
There are many varieties of food that fall under this category, which can create a delicious smorgasbord of options at the dinner. Potential dishes include homemade salsa, tacos, enchiladas, taco soups, taco salads, chips, quesadillas and bean dips.
A popular appetizer is a seven layer bean dip. These dips can be easily made in a casserole dish by layering refried beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, olives and green onions.
Taco soup is another option. This is made by browning 1 lb. of ground beef and mixing it with one can of chili, one can of corn, one cup of salsa, one can of stewed tomatoes and one package of taco seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with olives, cheese, guacamole, fresh tomatoes and tortilla chips.
Italian Feast
Pasta and garlic dominate Italian feasts. Attendees can bring garlic bread, breadsticks, salads, lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli, pizza and Italian sodas.
To create simple lasagna, brown 1 lb. of ground beef and mix with one jar of spaghetti sauce. Stir in one can of stewed tomatoes and black olives. Place a layer of oven ready lasagna noodles in the bottom of a large casserole dish. Spoon a layer of the meat mixture over the noodles. Add a generous layer of cheeses, including Colby, Jack, mozzarella and cheddar. Repeat the layers until the meat mixture is gone. Top with another layer of noodles and a thick layer of cheese. Cover with tin foil and bake for an hour at 350 degrees F.
Hawaiian Luau
Hawaiian luaus are fun, festive affairs. Entertainment can be provided in the form of Hawaiian music and hula dancing competitions. It is an easy, enjoyable theme for any potluck occasion, especially those that occur during the warm summer months. Dishes with tropical fruits, such as a fruit salad, are easy to prepare and bring. More aspiring chefs may want to try a meaty main dish, such as the zesty Hawaiian chicken recipe below.
To create this chicken dish, mix 1 tbsp. flour with 2 tsp. salt and one pinch of ground pepper in a plastic bag. Cut 2 to 3 lbs. of chicken in small pieces and, one at a time, seal them in the bag and shake them in the flour mixture.
In a large skillet pan, heat 4 tbsp. vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté covered chicken pieces until brown on all sides before placing the chicken in a lightly greased baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Make a sauce by sautéing a sliced onion and one thinly sliced bell pepper for 5 minutes. Add 8 oz. of crushed pineapple with the juice, 2 tsp. of soy sauce and 2 tsp. of brown sugar. In a separate bowl, mix 2 tsp. of cornstarch with 2 tsp. of chicken stock. Add this to the skillet and let the entire brew simmer for 3 minutes until it is thick and clear. Pour sauce over chicken and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Tags: casserole dish, dish such, ground beef, main dish, meat mixture