pot luck party ideas?

Answer 1

Have a theme
Do it based on a country or assign people a different country to make dishes from.
Assign a food item that ALL the dishes have to contain.
Have judging contests with prizes (base prizes on flavor, presentation, creativity, ease of preperation, etc).
Challenge them to make their food represent (look like) a famous person.

Answer 2

SPICY BEEF AND BEAN CHILI

INGREDIENTS:
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 to 1 hot chile pepper - jalapeno, serrano, or habanero, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/3 cup pure mild chili powder
3 pounds coarsely ground beef
1 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano or Italian leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice, or chili style tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 cup (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
3 to 4 tablespoons tequila
shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, optional
sour cream, optional
canned nacho-sliced jalapeno peppers, optional

PREPARATION:
In a large Dutch oven or kettle, cook the onions in the oil, covered, over medium heat. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden, but not browned, about 5 minutes longer.

Add the garlic, minced chile peppers, and ground cumin. Cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes. Add the chili powder and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minutes.
Add the ground beef, oregano, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until the meats are no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, stock, cayenne, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, with cover slightly ajar, for about 1 1/2 hours.

Add the beans, crushing some of them against the side of the pot to help thicken the chili. Add the tequila and season with additional salt and cayenne to taste. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Good or better when reheated and freezes well for up to 3 months, though it may need an extra dash of cayenne before serving.

Serves 8.

Top each serving with shredded cheese, a teaspoon of sour cream, and jalapeno pepper slices, if desired.

Answer 3

Decide if you want to have a party theme, e.g., Mexican, Hawaiian Luau, Chinese, Continental, Italian, French, Southern, Texas barbecue, etc. Then take it from there in terms of dishes. Say you decide on an Italian theme so then you'll have some pasta dishes, some antipasti for starters, some Italian ice or tiramisu for dessert, etc. This way, there is some direction with your menu.

Answer 4

My Favs:
Dinner

Beef Storganoff
Cabbage Rolls
24 Hour Salad (layered salad)
Caesar Salad
Pulled Pork
Turkey Tetrazinie (spelling???)

Brunch
Baked Sandwich with sausage
Hashbrown casserole (with sour cream)

Dessert
Trifle
Texas Brownies
Sex in a Pan

Answer 5

Upside Down Cake
Special Salad
Cookies
Muffins

Answer 6

jade has some pretty good ideas.

pick a theme and go from there!

here's a spin on 2 ideas: if you like spicy food, have everyone bring an international dish that has some sort of kick to it... ie: hot salsa, thai papaya salad, some sort of curry, something with wasabi (include sushi for those who want something mild)

Answer 7

Sloppy-Joes - make ahead of time and keep in slow cooker

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 5 tomatoes, diced
• 2 Tbls all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chili sauce (Heinz)
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 8 whole-wheat hamburger buns (toasted)

Crumble beef into a large nonstick skillet; cook over medium heat until it starts to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft and the moisture has evaporated, 8-10 minutes. Add tomatoes and flour; stir to combine. Stir in water, vinegar, chili sauce and ketchup and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the onion is very tender, 8-10 minutes. Serve warm on buns.

____________


Seven-Fruit Salad
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups watermelon balls
• 2 medium nectarines, thinly sliced
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 large banana, thinly sliced
• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and chopped

In a bowl, combine the lime juice, water and sugar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add nectarines and banana; toss to coat. In a 2-1/2 qt. glass bowl, combine the remaining fruits. Add nectarine mixture; stir gently. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.


_____________


Chocolate Caramel Bars
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups cold butter or margarine
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 12 oz. jar caramel ice cream topping

In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Set half aside for topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13x9” baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and pecans.

Whish caramel topping and remaining flour until smooth; drizzle over top. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack before cutting.

Answer 8

Italian is an easy one to potluck you can decorate and serve food with that theme..Have one do lasagna, sausage & peppers, Spagetti, bread, anti pasto salad, wine etc...we have done it in the past and it is a big hit..

Answer 9

Cheese tray with different crackers & cheeses
Easy to make no cooking involved...

Answer 10

Cactus pickles seem to go over well.