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Ideas For Planning a Potluck Dinner Party
by Karen Talavera
A potluck dinner party is the ideal social gathering for people who have busy schedules. When you can't make a full, formal meal, having everyone bring a dish eases the stress and keeps costs down, too. A bonus for your guests? It also gives everyone attending a chance to show off something that they enjoy making. Everybody wins!
Organizing Potluck Dishes and Guests
In putting together your potluck dinner party, it's a good idea to ask people what they're bringing. Otherwise, who knows what you might end up with? Who needs two party potato platters, three taco trays, and four different varieties of brownies?
Even if someone can't tell you exactly what they're bringing, it's a good idea to get them to commit to a type: a snack, side dish, meat, dessert, appetizer or... whatever! Note that each person need not make a HUGE dish. A lot of smaller dishes and tons of variety is what makes a potluck really casual and fun.
Hint: to turn your potluck party into a recipe exchange, ask attendees to bring copies of their dish's recipe. Inevitably there will be one or two dishes you'll want to make yourself someday. Also, having these next to each dish ensures that anyone with allergies or specific dietary restrictions won't accidentally eat something they shouldn't.
Setting Up for a Potluck Dinner
As the host of the party its your job to create enough space for dishes as they arrive, and have extra serving utensils and platters. Also be sure to get party bowls, plates, tableware, and hot/cold cups. If you have more than one coffee pot, set one up for coffee and another for tea. If you want your guests to BYOB (or bring their own juice, soda, or other beverages) remember to let them know ahead of time.
Useful Tip: crock pots are a wonderful helpmate for potluck dinners! Borrow some from family or friends and use them to keep food warm all night long without running to the kitchen. Not everyone will bring a cold dish to a potluck dinner party, and crockpots are a great no-fuss way to keep warm dishes warm.
Making a Potluck Recipe of Your Own
Planning a potluck and plan to make one or two dishes yourself? It helps a lot if you can pre-make your offering for the potluck dinner party. That way your stovetop and microwave will be open for individuals who may need to reheat something they've brought with them. Make ahead recipes for a potluck also mean a heck of a lot less stress for you on the day of your party.
What to make? Well, that part is really up to you, but since you have the joy of not having to transport your food - you have a lot more options than your guests might. So you can think a little "bigger." Traditionally the host/hostess prepares a main dish for the event, so do something special that your guests will love.
About the Author
This article was written by the food-obsessed owner of Divine Dinner Party, Karen Talavera. Visit the site for lots more recipes, tips, and party planning ideas.Karen is happy to see this article reproduced and used anywhere you like... as long as this signature box and all links are left LIVE and intact.
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