My office is having a potluck tomorrow to kick off a health program we are all starting. I am NOT a cook, so I need something fool-proof. I'm always afraid to try making something new (for other people) because I'm afraid it won't turn out, and by then it's too late to make something else! Any ideas?
How about a nice easy salad-you can even start with a bag mix if you want (romaine is best). Add dried cranberries (Craisins), mandarin oranges & chopped walnuts or pecans. Toss with a raspberry vinagrette dressing and you have a yummy & healthy side dish. Good luck!
Corn Dip
2 cans corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies
1 block cream cheese
Drain corn
Drain Rotel
Put corn, Rotel, and cream cheese in heat safe bowl. Microwave 2 min. and stir. If the cheese isn't completely melty, give it another 30 sec. in the microwave. Serve with fritos or tortilla chips. It's easy and it's yummy.
YMMV
LBC
Barbecued meatballs. Buy a bag of frozen meatballs, follow directions on the back. I like to bake them in the oven. For last 15-20 minutes, pour a bottle or two of barbecue sauce over them. You can choose either original or honey barbecue flavors. Always a party hit and takes very little time or effort on your part. Cost: less than $10.
hummus with veggies and pita or pita chips - you can make the hummus or buy it premade - could also do a trio of hummus varieties or babganoush
I helped out with Mexican night once - it turned out great - but I brought Tupperware tubs of rice and salad (another brought the enchiladas). I bought 5 boxes of the mexican rice from the grocery store and cooked them all at once - I just put them all in a big pot - it was soo tasty and easy! The salad was easy as well, but I didn't put much in the actual salad, but brought mini containers on the side so people could dress their salad how they like. I dumped 2 family sized Romaine lettuce bags in the Tupperware and cut some tomatoes and threw them in there and tossed it. Then I brought a few different dressings, some corn, avocados, salsa, and pine nuts on the side that people could add. It was so great! You could really be creative with different themes as well...like for Italian night, make 2 lasagnas instead and for the salad make the sides be parmesan, green olives, slivered almonds, and deli meats like capicolla, salami, prosciutto, etc. YUM!
Potluck doesn't necessarily mean you have to cook. Why not bring in a fresh veggie or fruit tray? Good luck!
my go to potluck recipe is veggie pizza. Roll out a tube of crescent roll dough in one big rectangle and bake as directed. Mix one block of cream cheese (fat free) and one tablespoon sour cream with a packet of dry ranch dressing (in the dressing aisle). Once the dough cools; spread the cream cheese mixture then top with cut up veggies. My family prefers cauliflower, broccoli and red peppers, but my MIL uses cucumbers, celery and carrots. Whatever you like or have handy will work. Keep refrigerated and enjoy!
Tomato salad is so easy, so yummy and healthy, too!
Large ripe tomatoes, sliced
Fresh Mozzarella, sliced
Fresh Basil, leaves whole
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Layer a tomatoe slice, then a slice of mozzarella, then a basil leaf or two. Arrange on a plate/platter. Drizzle oil and vinegar over top (may want to do that the morning of the party, or just before.) It looks so pretty and you don't have to cook a thing!
Have fun!
S.
