Tips FOr Gluten Free Potluck Dinners

Now You Too Can Join The Group With Gluten Free Goodies

If eating 'gluten free' has you turning down potluck invitations, it's time for a change. Whether you are hosting or participating in a potluck, there are ways you can enjoy the event without risking your gluten-free diet.

Let's look at some dishes that are gluten free, but still very potluck worthy. You don't need to buy special gluten-free flours or other ingredients to make these dishes. For simplicity sake, these foods are gluten free by nature.

Quinoa Salad

Potluck tables normally have a plethora of pasta salads. And since most pasta is made with wheat flour, those salads are off limits. However, quinoa is a seed and is gluten free. This is one ingredient you want on hand at all times if you are on a gluten free diet.

Quinoa salads are so easy to make that at least one dish needs to be in everyone's 'go to' potluck recipe file. Quinoa is light and fluffy and mixes well with oil and vinegar dressings as well as lots of vegetables. You can't weigh it down! This is also one salad that stands up to the test of time. It doesn't wilt and just takes a quick toss to freshen it up again.

Chicken Cutlets

To remove any doubt as to whether a pizza crust or tortilla is gluten free, why not just skip the whole thing and use chicken cutlets instead? This is a great trick used by both low-carb and gluten-free dieters.

Just pound out chicken breasts as thinly as possible, then use as you would a pizza crust or tortilla. You will want to bake the cutlets in the oven, then cool before adding your toppings or filling. Make individual 'cutlet pizzas' by topping the cutlets with sauce and anything else you would want on a pizza.

 Make roll-ups the same way by first baking the cutlets, then cooling and filling, then baking just until the filling is hot and cooked to your liking. Then serve just like you would taquitos or other roll-ups or pinwheels on a potluck table.

Deviled Eggs
 

This dish may seem old fashioned and even cliche at a potluck, but trust me, you can make them very delicious and put that thought to rest for good. Being totally gluten free in their natural state, eggs are a great vehicle for all sorts of goodies, as long as you pay attention to what's gluten free, and what's not.

When making deviled eggs, the trick is to get tons of flavor in the yolk. You will of course want some sort of cream, but most mayonnaise on the market has gluten in it. Try instead using Greek yogurt, which is usually gluten free (check the label).

Then spice up the yolks with lots of herbs and seasonings (again, check the label). Your best bet is to use fresh herbs and spices, not dried or mixed, to ensure you are not getting additives that may have gluten. You may want to chop a jalapeno pepper instead of using bottled hot sauce.

Mince garlic and onion rather than using a powder form. Just watch the labels and stick closest to the original form to avoid added gluten.

These are three simple foods you can bring to a potluck gathering that are truly gluten free. If you are hosting a gluten free potluck, just remember to give participants ideas (or even recipes if they need) for gluten free foods to make and share. Then you've got your bases covered and all is well... and delicious!

Savory Berry Salad Recipe

1 tiny sweet onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or sweet red)
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
sprinkle raw sugar or drizzle of honey
sprinkle dry mustard
1/4 tsp kosher salt
8 cups combination any fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 to 2 Tbsp raw sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp good olive oil
10 to 12 cups mixed greens for serving
2 to 4 cups crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for serving

Very thinly slice the sweet onion and put in glass bowl. Add to the bowl the apple cider vinegar, sugar or honey, mustard, and salt; stir to combine, then cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit out for 1 hour. Stir the contents once or twice during this time.

When ready to make salad, drain the onions through a sieve and put onion mixture into a large serving bowl.

Add to the bowl the berries, mint, sugar, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil and toss gently to combine.

May be chilled or served at room temperature.

To serve place pile of mixed greens on small plate, then spoon on berries, then sprinkle on crumbled cheese (do not mix greens or cheese into salad).

Will make 10 small salads at a potluck setting.

Tips For Transporting Your Potluck Dinner

Easier Potluck Transportation - Getting Food From Here To There

So, you're invited to a potluck. What fun! The first thing on your mind is what to bring. Perhaps the host has given you a suggestion or two and now it's just a matter of narrowing down the choices.

The day to cook finally arrives. With recipe in hand, you eagerly gather together the ingredients and cookware... then stop. How are you ever going to transport this food? Let's take a look at a few ideas for cooking and packaging food with traveling in mind.

Casseroles

This dish is probably the easiest to get to a potluck, and to get back home. If you are making a larger than normal casserole, try using a large study roasting pan rather than the standard 9x13 baking dish. Then cover the pan with aluminum foil, run a piece of tape over the top, and it will be safe to transport.

Disposable baking pans are a great way to eliminate the worry about getting your favorite roasting or lasagna pan back home. However, they are not sturdy. You can put two together in order to help keep them from twisting, but you are still much safer transporting the baking pan in a sturdy box or cooler. Make sure you have one of these items ready and waiting in the kitchen so you can quickly transfer your baking pan from the oven to the box. Line the box bottom and sides with old towels for extra strength and to provide some heat proofing. And don't forget to throw in your potholders! If you are expected to bring serving utensils, grab those at the same time and throw them in.

Soup

This dish is probably the trickiest to transport. If you are cooking in a crockpot, part of your problem is solved. You can cook and serve out of the same cookware. You will just want a very sturdy box or cooler to set the crockpot in so it sits upright in the vehicle on the way to the event.

If you are making soup in a large pot, you may want to take the extra time to transfer the soup to jars before transporting. If you put the soup pot in a box with the lid on, it is still going to slosh around inside the vehicle as you drive to the potluck. That never ends well. Pour the soup into large containers such as jars with lids that seal tightly. Set the jars upright in a box with old towels separating them (and keeping the soup warm if necessary). Bring a clean soup pot and ladles along with you and you will be ready to serve your lovely soup, rather than cleaning it off the carpet in your car.

Desserts

If you make cookies without frosting, such as chocolate chip cookies, you just need to put them on a platter and cover them with aluminum foil. However, there are some difficulties when it comes to frosted cookies. Be sure the icing is thoroughly set up before packing them. Put one layer in a shallow baking dish, then stand a strip of cardboard on its end in the center of the baking dish, then lay a sturdy piece of cardboard on top and create the next layer.

Cupcakes transport easily if you bring them in the muffin tin you cooked them in. Always use paper liners when you bake the cupcakes, then even if you take the cupcakes out to frost them, you can drop them back into the muffin tins. Stick toothpicks in the tops of frosted cupcakes and cakes to provide a tent above the frosting. Then you can lay a sheet of parchment paper over the top without ruining your pretty work.

There are plenty of fancy items you can use to transport food. For instance, some of the new crockpots have safety latches that keep the lid securely fastened. But if you are using cookware you already have, you need to be a bit creative. Boxes, coolers, cardboard, extra baking pans, and big jars are all very useful items when devising a way to get your delicious dish from here to there without a disaster. Look around your house and gather what you need before you start cooking and you'll be ready to roll when the food is!

Hashbrown Au Gratin Recipe

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1 (2 lb) bag frozen diced hash browns
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
2-1/2 CUPS grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 container (16 oz size) sour cream
2 cups crushed plain cornflakes cereal

Pour 1/2 the melted butter in a large bowl, then add the hash browns, soup, cheese, onion, and sour cream to the bowl and stir to combine well. Turn the mixture out into a 9x13 baking dish.

In a separate bowl, stir together the cornflakes and remaining melted butter.

Sprinkle the cornflakes mixture over the potato mixture in baking dish.

Cover and refrigerate or freeze to keep for a future potluck.

To prepare, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake (uncovered) for 55 to 65 minutes or until hot and bubbly and browned around the edges.

Remove and let rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Will serve 8 to 12 at a potluck setting.

Tips For Directing A Potluck Meal

How To Politely Guide Your Guests When Hosting Your Next Potluck

The decision has been made. You are hosting a potluck. Perhaps your office has appointed you the 'Potluck Planner.' Or, maybe your family has put you in charge of the reunion meal. Maybe the church or school potluck needs a fresh face, and that face belongs to you. No matter how you ended up in charge, the fact is, you have a task in front of you. What does this task entail?

Beyond asking someone to bring food to share at a potluck, there are other considerations. When you are the one responsible for planning the potluck meal, you need to go a bit further. Let's take a look at a few things to keep in mind when directing a potluck.

The Menu

A potluck, in its purest form, is based on luck. Each participant brings whatever they wish and it's, well, good luck... hope the meal is satisfying, delicious, and everyone is happy. That plan can definitely be interesting. However, if you have ever been to a potluck where the choices are green bean casseroles, baked beans, and Jello, you know how a bit of orchestrating the menu could help.

As the person in charge of planning the potluck, you can direct the meal. Start with a definite menu, figure out how many of each course you will need, then start dividing up the dishes. Now, when you issue the invitations, ask the guest to bring a dish of their choice, but in a certain category.

You can be specific if you like, but guests typically like some leeway. For instance, don't ask a guest to bring lasagna or pea soup.

Instead, ask them to bring a pasta casserole or a hearty soup. Then, your guest has some guidance without limiting them to something they may or may not want to make, or bring.

If you need particular side dishes for a meal, don't be afraid to ask, but do keep the meal flexible enough so that your guests aren't feeling hemmed in by your choices. Remember; every participant in a potluck wants to present a dish they are proud to serve, but they won't be offended, and will most likely be relieved, if you give them an idea of what you need for the menu.

The Set Up

Picture everyone arriving at the potluck at the same time, all holding onto big pots of food that you asked them to bring. Then imagine there is no place to set the pots down and no help directing them. You can see how this would not be a good situation, and not very inviting, at all.

The number one rule for arranging a potluck setting is to have good traffic pattern and plenty of table space. When the guests arrive, be sure there is someone at the door directing them and helping relieve them of their burden. That is the least they can expect.

Now, be sure you have the tables clearly arranged with plenty of electrical outlets for crockpots, roasting pans, coffee pots, etc. Remember to have large bowls filled with ice to set dishes in that need to stay cold. Have all the plates and bowls at the beginning of the serving table, with silverware and napkins at the end.

Have seating areas set up well away from the food areas so the traffic flows naturally. Put beverages at another table so that guests can set their plates down, then step over to the 'bar' to grab a drink. You don't want your guests balancing plates, utensils, and drinks all in the same trip.

The Clean Up

Disposable plates, utensils, cups, and napkins help make a potluck cleanup easier. But, you still need to plan ahead. If everything is going in the garbage, it's usually no problem to line a large garbage can with a sturdy bag and just make it convenient for the guests to dispose of the items.

If you serve canned drinks you will probably need a separate container for the aluminum cans. The plastic plates and utensils may also be recycled. Plan this all ahead and clearly mark where you want the items to be tossed. You don't want your guests to have to guess.

The hardest part will be returning the leftover food and dishes to the guest who brought them. The best way you can handle this situation is to plan ahead. Purchase plastic food containers for the leftovers, and stock up on a supply of sturdy boxes to help transport the pots and pans home. Don't expect the potluck guests to plan ahead; that's your job. Make it easy for your guests to grab their leftovers and their cookware and get it to their car.

If you provide a menu, set up the tables and the room to easily handle a crowd of people, and you make the clean up convenient for your guests, your potluck will be a success. We can't promise that Grandma's Jello salad circa 1950 will be a culinary masterpiece, but we can guarantee, if you plan it right, it will be presented well!

3 Step Fruit Bread Recipe

4 Tbsp butter
1 cup biscuit mix (Bisquick)
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 can (16 oz) fruit, drained (peaches, pears, etc.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put butter in a loaf pan and put in oven just until the butter melts; remove from oven.

In a bowl, stir together the biscuit mix, sugar, and milk, then pour into the loaf pan.
Arrange the fruit on top of the batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until bread is golden brown and slightly crispy around the edges.

Have Some Fun With Dessert Only Potlucks

Create An Event Filled With Sweet Fun

Most of us enjoy being invited to participate in a potluck dinner. Whether at our workplace, church, school, or at a family gathering, a potluck meal is a chance to share recipes and see what everyone else is cooking these days.

Sometimes, a big table filled with row after row of casseroles, meats, pasta, and salads isn't quite right for the occasion. There are simply times when we just all want to enjoy something sweet! That's where the 'Dessert Only' potluck comes in.

Let's take a look at a few ideas for creating the event with desserts that will be fun to bring, and to eat.

Ingredient Theme

The idea here is to have everyone bring a dessert that uses a particular ingredient or flavor. For instance, a chocolate theme or fruit theme would both work well. With this type of theme, you would have fun seeing how many different kinds of ways there are to serve an ingredient.

Chocolate, for instance, can be used to make cakes, cookies, and bars, of course, but can also be turned into a drink. Think also of the many foods you can cover with chocolate. But don't stop there. Remember, you can also serve chocolate that has simply been flavored with herbs, floral, and even spices.

Fruit can be used to flavor other ingredients or can be used as the main ingredient in cookies, cakes, and bars. Get creative with both fresh and dried fruits in all sorts of sweet dessert offerings. These are just two ideas for ingredients. Dig through your pantry and I bet you'll come up with more!

Item Theme

Ask each participant to bring their favorite cookie, cake, or bar, and enjoy discovering just how many ways there are to make one dessert so different! Don't worry; you won't end up with dozens of plates of chocolate chip cookies.

When you limit the dessert offered to a particular kind of item, the results are surprising. Given the task of making your cookie stand out from other cookies, folks tend to reach deep into their creative reserves and dig out the most unusual recipe they can find.

You can get as specific as you want. For instance, try an 8x8 bar theme, or a round cake theme, or a refrigerator cookie theme. Or, just ask for cake and see what you get! Remember the Bundt cakes from years ago? Maybe it's time to bring them back and have a bit of fun! Whatever item you choose, relax and enjoy the offerings.

Jello Theme

Is any potluck complete without at least one Jello dessert? What if you had an entire table filled with Jello? That would definitely be a potluck to enjoy, and talk about!

You may have to dig deep for recipe ideas since Jello creations are not as popular as they were a few decades ago. However, there are still some adventurous cooks who have fun using this inexpensive jiggly ingredient and share recipes they love.

Ask your potluck participants to bring any Jello dessert they find festive and fun. Don't worry about your Jello creation fitting in with all the others. That is the Jello dessert legacy - it is meant to be funny, but still delicious. When your guests present their Jello desserts, expect some laughs, but also expect some tasty treats.

Hosting a 'Dessert Only' potluck can be a challenge. If you just throw out the word 'dessert' you could see the same offerings time after time. Choosing a theme sparks the imagination and helps the participants have a little more fun. One thing to keep in mind is to be sure to make portions small so everyone can enjoy multiple servings. After all, this is a decadent potluck and should be fully enjoyed!