What's your best potluck recipe?

assorted veggies cut in bite size pieces and slow cooked in tomato sauce served on toothpicks

Well I’m not a cook, and only sixteen yrs old, but my aunt makes this delicious hash brown bake thing. It’s like little pieces of potato with this creamy sauce, and I think there’s a little bit of onion in there. Much like a mac and cheese bake but with potato if you get my drift. Mmmmmm!

lol just had a family dinner yesterday and today, it’s kinda on my mind

One of the docs used to bring hominy that had been mixed with Campbells cheese soup mix and then baked. It rocked!

I always make my vegan chili and have none left to take home.

Two big cans chili beans
Two cups TVP granules
One bag frozen peppers/onion blend.
Three tablespoons of molasses
Two cans diced tomatoes with liquid
Half a container of cheap chili powder
Two teaspoons of Oregano.
Tsp of liquid smoke (your choice)
Pinch of cinnamon
Salt to taste.

Saute’ peppers and onions- add everything else and simmer for 30–45 minutes. Let sit overnight in the fridge then reheat right before the party.

Another favorite but is more labor intensive is stuffed potato shells. Cook potatoes, skin on, in oven. Slice in half and scoop out a bowl shape. Make a mix with the potato scrapings, black beans and salsa. Place mixture back into potato boats and top with shredded cheese (pepper jack is good). Before serving place a dollop of sour cream on top and garnish with chives.

The easiest thing I make is refried bean dip.

Two cans refried beans
One can tomato
One jar salsa
Lime juice
Tsp molasses
Pinch cinnamon

Dump everything into a pot and stir until consistency is ‘dip like’. Pour into a bowl and serve with chips (I like the Red Hot Blues ones).

I just about always bring potato salad.

My son, who leans strongly toward vegetarian and vegan meals, has made this twice recently : Black Bean and Quinoa Salad. He used red quinoa, which I’d recommend..

We made a meal of it, with tortilla chips, and we agreed that it would make a great potluck take-along. I’d probably go for a double batch next time.

We also thought it needed a little more lime juice than the recipe called for.

My mom just makes mac’n’cheese with pepperoni (my invention) or hot dogs.

The best potluck dish I have ever had, ever, was this pudding-cake thing that has mostly whipped cream and snickers pieces and marshmallows and cake pieces. aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, drooooooooooooooool. . . . makes going to church worthwhile.

Italian Mac n Cheese!!!
(Makes about anough for 6 really hungry people.)

flour and milk (about 2 cups of milk..varies. about 3 tbsp. flour..also varies)
1 block cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 box medium shell macaroni
1 8oz can diced tomatoes (garlic flavored)
1 medium clove garlic (minced)
½ of an 8oz can plain tomato sauce

Make a creamy mixture of flour and milk in a medium saucepan; then place over medium heat. Begin adding the shredded cheese a little at a time until it is all melted and makes a smooth mixture just thick enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat after simmering for 5 minutes; stirring constantly. Set aside mixture.

Cook macaroni according to instructions on box. Strain noodles. Mix cheese sauce, shells, tomatoes, and minced garlic together in a casserole dish or deep-dish baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30–35 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes; serve warm.

Cucumber salad. Very summery, but always delicious. Just slice cucumbers thin then put then in oil and rice vinegar with some onions cut up. Mmmmm.

Or if I’m feeling more ambitious I make a spanish tortilla.

Cream cheese on a plate, doused with pickapeppa and crackers…triscuit…crackers.

@Ltryptophan didn’t you just ask a question about heart health?!!! smile

@faye thought police!

Quiche! so easy and so delicious. You can buy a pre-made frozen crust at the supermarket if you’re short on time. Then sautee some onions, zucchini, and mushrooms, put into the crust, then beat three or four eggs and pour over the veggies. Add shredded cheddar cheese all over the top and bake on 350 till it looks done.
These are also easy to bring to pot lucks – you don’t have to worry about spilling anything.

Also, here’s one that I posted recently for a question someone asked about “what’s your go-to appetizer?”:

Thai spring rolls – they are actually really easy to make, and they look so impressive!
You can buy the round rice-paper wrappers at an asian food store or some well-stocked general grocery stores. They are the size of an appetizer plate – and they are brittle and hard.

All you have to do is slice some carrot strips and cucumber strips, cut up some tofu, and take the leaves off of fresh basil.

Pour some warm water into a pan or pot. put one of the rice paper wrappers in and wait 30 seconds for it to soften. Remove the wrapper and put it on a plate. Put a piece or two of tofu, carrot, cucumber, and fresh basil. Tuck the ends in and roll it up like a burrito. Repeat till you have 10–20 fresh Thai spring rolls. So easy!

* this is even better if you buy or make thai peanut sauce to put inside the roll or as a dip. You can try making it yourself by mixing coconut milk, peanut butter, and red chili paste, but I’ve never been able to make it taste quite the same as what you get in the restaurant, so I usually buy it.