Reader’s Question: What Should I Take to a Potluck?
Answering questions is my favorite! So thanks to reader Becca for leaving this comment for me:
“So, I have a potluck on Monday with my co-workers who are bringing mac and cheese … what is a good veg non-salad accompaniment? (I don’t like being the vegetarian bringing salad, esp. since I rarely eat traditional salad). Thanks!”
I tend to bring a filling appetizer that could stand alone as enough for me to eat if no one else brings a meat-free dish. White bean dip with crudite and toasted pita bread went over very well at my family’s meat-filled Christmas gathering. Dips, in general, work well, too. Hummus, salsa, guacamole, spinach and artichoke … all are usually well received by everyone.
One of my standard, quick, take-along dips is a layered bean one. In a pie pan, spread layers of refried beans, corn, guacamole, salsa or tomatoes, lettuce, and whatever else sounds good to you. Serve with corn chips.
If you want something that is more side dish like, consider a non-traditional salad: curried lentils, corn and bean salad, rice with carrots and raisins, couscous and veggies … basically, pick your favorite grain and prepare it. Then finely chop and cook whatever sounds good - bell peppers, onion, garlic, broccoli, spinach, and don’t forget dried fruit, nuts, or beans. Toss them together with a liquid such as oil, salad dressing, vinegar, etc. Sprinkle in some herbs and spices, taste testing as you go. Serve it cold or hot. No one will accuse your hearty concoction of being “just a salad.”
Then, for the more ambitious, there’s homemade dinner rolls, roasted veggies, an eggplant dish, dessert, chili, or veg meatballs.
Click on the picture for a similar post on Vegan Soapbox. Any other dishes you would recommend? And, Becca, do come back and tell us what you make!
March 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Becca, whenever I go to a potluck, I bring along a container of red lentil stew, which never gets left behind. Am happy to send you my recipe (it’s super-easy to make, as well) if you like - just let me know here
March 16th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I have brought lentils before, which goes over well with my Carribean born co-workers, but not so much with my American ones. I ended up making a Grilled Vegetable Muffaleta (Rachael Ray magazine). It went over well and was extremely easy to throw together. I ended up roasting the veggies though in my oven for about 15 minutes with about 2 minutes under the broiler. Thanks!!