Cranberry Pineapple Pinwheels Recipe

8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3 medium (10 inch) tortillas

Put all ingredients (EXCEPT tortillas) in a bowl and mix well.

Evenly spread the mixture over the tortillas, then roll each tortilla into a 'log' keeping the roll as tight as possible. Roll the tortilla 'logs' into plastic food wrap and refrigerate.

When ready to bring to the potluck, remove from the plastic and slice carefully using a very sharp knife. You'll want about 3/4 inch thick slices.

This will make about 24 to 36 sweet snacks to serve at a potluck.

Tips For Avoiding Potluck Disasters

Potluck Disasters - How To Avoid A Culinary Catastrophe

When you are invited to a potluck dinner, do you feel the pressure to get it perfect?  Sure, you want to provide a delicious dish, but somewhere between a culinary masterpiece and a disaster lies a dish you can be proud of.

Let's take a look at some issues that could create a less than perfect, or even presentable, potluck table, and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

For the Love of Jello

There is just something about a Jello dish that evokes strong emotions - joy, nostalgia, or despair - perhaps even all three at the same time. Nevertheless, Jello often plays a major part in a potluck meal, so we need to explore this dish and how to make it work.

Whether your Jello recipe is a dessert, salad, or somewhere in between, remember; not everyone appreciates Jello. You may have fond memories of your Great Aunt Tilly's lime Jello salad with grated carrots and Miracle Whip, but try to imagine if you had never seen or tasted it before. The true test of a Jello dish is one question; "Would I have to explain what this dish is?" If the answer is "Yes," chances are you want to rethink your choice.

However, that is not to say all Jello concoctions are a catastrophe. There are many ways to serve Jello that are familiar and delicious. The rule of thumb here would be "When in doubt, don't." Save your Great Aunt Tilly's salad for the family who remembers it fondly.

Sad Green Salad

Although it should go without saying, a wilted green salad is just plain sad on a potluck table. The idea of a crispy fresh salad is certainly appetizing, but when that salad wilts, discolors, or gets watery, it can make you want to skip the whole table and head for the beverages and desserts.

The first thing to keep in mind with a green salad is to avoid the greens that discolor and wilt fast. Iceberg lettuce is a definite no-no. The edges turn brown and the lettuce is super-watery, causing the salad to form a lake at the bottom of the bowl very quickly. Choose dark, leafy greens that you would typically find in a bag of mixed greens. It's a much safer bet. You can mix in some chopped Romaine for extra crunch which tends to stay fresher longer than iceberg.

It should also be noted that, no matter how inconvenient it may seem to supply separate containers of dressing, do it anyway. Fresh greens coated with creamy or oil and vinegar dressing will be wilted before you even get to the potluck. So go ahead and bring your big bowl of lovely crispy salad to the potluck, but bring along the dressing 'on the side.'

Safety First

Aside from the soggy salads or the mystery Jello dishes, there is a catastrophe that is much more serious - keeping your food safe to eat. There are several ways to ensure that your hot food stays hot and your cold food stays cold.

You want to be sure that each and every crockpot, chaffing dish, electric roaster, etc., has its own outlet. That means, you don't want to be plugging one dish in, then unplugging it to give another dish a chance to warm up. With that system, none of the dishes actually reach the safety zone before they are unplugged and left to cool down to the bacteria growing zone. Plan ahead and arrange your tables to accommodate each of the hot items.

If you expect to receive salads with mayonnaise-based dressing, be sure to have plenty of large bins, bowls, or tubs with ice. When your guests arrive with their salads, have them gently lower the bowls into the ice bath. Leave the salads covered and drape a clean towel over the top to maintain the chill until ready to serve.
Time can get away from you when you are busy organizing your table, and that potato salad that was set down and ignored could be starting to get warm even in the short time it takes to start serving.

You want your potluck meal to come off without a hitch, but it takes more than wishing and hoping - it takes planning. Keep in mind that there are things you can do, both as a host and a guest, to help make a potluck a real success. A potluck is supposed to have some surprises, but they should all be delicious ones!  Good luck and enjoy the fun.

Classic Devilish Eggs Recipes

6 large eggs
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp sour cream
1/2 tsp white or apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Prepare hard-boiled eggs: Place eggs in large saucepan filled with cold water. Be sure the water is well up over the eggs. Bring to a full boil, then remove pot from heat, cover pot, and set timer for 13 minutes.

Meanwhile, fill a bowl with ice and water. When timer goes off, IMMEDIATELY spoon the eggs out into the ice bath and let sit for several minutes until they are cold. Peel eggs by hitting once on the fat end, then rolling around until the shell is entirely cracked. Begin peeling from the fat end down. Rinse and dry the eggs thoroughly.

Prepare the deviled eggs: Cut the eggs in half lengthwise (from north pole to south pole). Carefully remove the yolks to a bowl, setting the egg whites aside on a plater.

Into the bowl with the yolks, add the remainining ingredients, mashing together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Spoon the yolk mixture into the hollows in the whites.

Garnish with fresh dill or parsley sprigs.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This recipe makes 12 deviled egg halves. Boil 12 eggs and double the ingredients for larger gatherings.

To keep the eggs from sliding around a plater or plate for serving, cover a platter (with sides) with a layer of dried lentils or other small bean. This makes a pretty presentation and the eggs stay put.

Tips For Hosting A Meatless Potluck Dinner

 Ideas To Help Your Guests Enjoy A Meatless Potluck Dinner

Serving meatless meals is becoming more and more popular. Most of us have heard of Meatless Monday, and many of us are participating in this trend. It should come as no surprise that people planning potluck dinners have jumped on this bandwagon. After all, the potluck meal is meant to please a wide variety of hungry folks, many of whom don't eat meat.

Sure, you could say there are plenty of salads at a potluck to satisfy the non-meat eaters, but that doesn't really seem fair. Shouldn't there be a healthy alternative besides some veggies and lettuce? Let's take a look at a few ideas for a well-rounded potluck menu for a meatless meal.

Beans

For those who omit meat from their diet, beans are a substantial source of protein. But, do you really want to just throw a few black beans in a pasta salad and call it good? That just looks like an after-thought, which won't gain any favor with your vegetarian friends.

When you look at the enormous variety of beans available, you can imagine the possibilities. Gather together as many beans as you can find and create a mixed bean soup, for instance. Use plenty of herbs, spices, and vegetables to fill out the pot. If you want the smoky flavor of ham in your bean soup without the ham, sprinkle in smoked paprika. Everyone, meat eater or not, can definitely appreciate this filling dish! Lentil dahl is another satisfying thick soup that is loaded with fragrant spices, making it a delight for everyone.

But, you don't have to stick with soup. Smash cooked black beans and mix with avocado (also high in protein), tomatoes, onion, and lots of spice to create a dip for crackers or bread that is out of this world. Whip up a variety of spreads like hummus using garbanzo beans, navy beans, or cannellini beans. Be sure to add lots of lime, lemon, cilantro, garlic, and spices. Use this spread to create classic pinwheels (filled tortillas, chilled, then sliced) or taquitos (tiny tortillas, filled and rolled up cigar-style).

A classic 3 Bean Salad can also be turned into a full-meal deal rather than a side dish. Again, you want as many varieties of beans as you can get. There are no rules or limits to this dish. Just make sure you include plenty of crunchy fresh vegetables to create not only a healthy dish but interesting textures and flavors. Dress the salad with light olive oil and vinegar, but go crazy with the seasonings and herbs for a truly unique offering on the potluck table.

Nuts

Little dishes of nuts scattered around the room is just wrong at a meatless potluck. The idea is to focus on the proteins, not use them as kibble. There are plenty of ways to create dishes that offer some nutty nutrition.
Add lots of crunch to a green bean casserole by adding nuts rather than the typical fried onion topping.

Almonds are a classic taste combination with beans, but any nuts will work. Combine several nuts for a surprising taste and texture and you are sure to please all your potluck guests - meatless or not.

Actually, using nuts for the crunchy texture in just about any potluck fare can work well. Make Thai inspired roll-ups using peanut butter and chopped peanuts, rolled in with cilantro, cucumbers, and bean sprouts or other greens. Are you making bean burgers or tofu burgers? Coat them with finely crushed nuts.

 As a matter of fact, you can use finely crushed nuts as a substitute for coating for just about anything - oven fried mushrooms or other vegetables, for instance. Speaking of mushrooms, go ahead and stuff those big mushroom caps with crushed nuts and cheese and watch them disappear. And don't skimp on the pistachios when you add them to your fruit salad. As a matter of fact, turn the tables a little and make it a pistachio salad and sprinkle on some fruit!

Dairy

Many vegetarians still eat dairy products. If this is the case at your potluck meal, then you are free to explore the many possibilities of cheese, yogurt, milk, etc.

A plate of cheese and crackers is good, but a sizzling hot skillet of baked fontina cheese served with crusty bread is way, way better! The cheese is cubed and sprinkled with garlic, onion, and lots of fresh herbs, then put in an oiled cast iron skillet under a broiler until bubbling hot. Once melted, this cheese can be kept hot just by wrapping the skillet safely in aluminum foil and then in towels. You could also use individual broiler-proof dishes if you have them for an even more appealing meatless entree. You can make similar cheesy individual entrees in biscuit lined muffin tins.

Create cream based soups and casseroles using milk to make a white sauce, adding cheese when you desire. Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is high in protein and can be used to make salad dressings even healthier.

Vegetables

Then there are the vegetables. But, please skip the tired crudite tray of celery and carrots. Instead, opt for dishes that feature protein rich vegetables such as avocado, peas, asparagus, and dark leafy greens.

This may be the time to perfect your guacamole. But, don't just serve it as a dip, use it as a spread or a salad dressing. Sweet peas can take center stage in a cold salad mixed in with lots of cucumber, radishes, and onion. Grilled asparagus tossed with an oil and vinegar dressing, then mixed with walnuts, sweet onion, and hot pepper flakes makes a dazzling dish. Big bowls of greens dressed with hot sweet and sour sauce and covered in walnuts or pecans is also a lovely sight.

And don't forget the versatile zucchini and eggplant! These two vegetables can fill a casserole dish fast and create a rather impressive offering on a potluck table. Add layers of cheese, onions, and tomatoes and even the hungriest folks will be satisfied with this meatless dish.

You don't have to subject your non-meat eating friends to a boring arrangement of lettuce salads at your next potluck meal. Throw a meatless potluck and get everybody thinking about what splendid dishes they can offer that are filling, nutritious, and delicious, and without a bit of meat!

Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe

2 tsp cooking oil
1 medium size onion, cut into thin strips
1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cups good prepared salsa
4 small (6 inch size) corn tortillas, torn into 1 inch pieces
4 oz shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; coat a baking dish with cooking spray.

Pour oil into large skillet over medium-high heat, then add onion and bell pepper, and cook just until crisp/tender, then stir in the spinach and cook until hot; remove mixture from skillet to a bowl  with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the chicken, garlic, and chili powder to the hot skillet and stir, cooking, just until the chicken is heated through and the garlic is fragrant.

Spread 1/2 CUP of the salsa evenly into the baking dish.

Begin the layers:
half the torn tortilla pieces
half the chicken mixture
half the veggie mixture
half the remaining salsa
half the cheese

Repeat the layers EXCEPT do not add the remaining cheese

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese, then continue baking UNCOVERED for 5 to 7 minutes or just until the cheese is melted.

Remove and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Will make 8 to 10 potluck size servings, but can be easily doubled or tripled.

Tips For Healthy Potluck Dinners

Healthy Potluck Choices - Taking A New Look At The Old Standards

To someone watching their diet, the words "You're invited to a potluck!" can be a bit disheartening. Sure, you can bring a healthy dish to pass that meets your needs, but enjoying other offerings may be hit and miss.
Let's take a look at how we can put a healthier spin on some old potluck favorites. Perhaps you'll even inspire others to follow suit and create healthier alternatives, too.

Cream Of Soup Casseroles

Opening up a can or two or three of 'cream of' soup is a handy way to get a casserole dish made in a hurry. There is no denying the convenience, but when it comes to creating a dish to pass that is healthier, you might want to rethink this ingredient.

A can of 'cream of anything soup' is basically a thick white sauce with flavorings. It's simple to make a white sauce and almost as fast as gathering and opening cans of soup. Put equal parts flour and oil (or butter) in a saucepan and stir over low heat. When the flour has turned a light yellow in color, slowly start adding milk or broth, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Now add garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings you wish. If you want to mimic cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of asparagus, etc, just saute the vegetables until soft in another skillet and add to the white sauce. Voila! You have homemade cream of soup without all the additives, extra salt, or even sugar.

Pasta Salads

These big bowls of pasta are definitely on the top of the list of comfort foods found on a potluck table. Pasta swimming in mayonnaise dressing is a guilty pleasure for many of us. Creating a healthier alternative isn't too tricky when you substitute just a few new ingredients for the old standards.

Heavy mayonnaise or bottled Ranch style dressings can be swapped out for lighter fare made with yogurt liberally flavored with lots of herbs and seasonings. You can skip the creamy texture entirely and use an olive oil based dressing for even more healthy benefits. Use whole wheat pasta and double up on the veggies in the salad. Toss in garbanzo beans, black beans, or cannellini beans for lots of protein and to make the pasta salad even more filling.

Desserts

Gooey bars and creamy rich cakes are pretty standard offerings at most potlucks. It's hard to resist having a sweet treat when so many are lavishly displayed right there in front of you. But, it's possible to create a healthier dessert, too.

Many folks would agree that to have a truly satisfying dessert, one must indulge in chocolate. But, skip the double-double layers of chocolate frosted chocolate cake. Instead, try your hand at making chocolate coated nuts. It's as simple as melting chocolate morsels in a double boiler, then drizzling over nuts and stirring together. Nuts and chocolate both are satisfying, filling, and have health benefits. No one will miss a slab of fatty cake on their plate when they have a handful of deliciously sweet and crunchy chocolate covered nuts to nibble on.

The next time you are invited to a potluck, don't worry; your new healthy eating habits won't have to suffer. Join forces with fellow potluck attendees who also are enjoying a healthier lifestyle, then put together simple recipes that tweak some of your favorite dishes to pass. You may just start a whole new trend in your office, church, or family - the healthy potluck!

Breakfast Biscuit Recipe

2 Tbsp butter
1 box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach, drained, squeezed dry, and chopped
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 canister (8 count) LARGE flaky refrigerated biscuits
4 oz crumbled cooked bacon or finely diced Canadian bacon
8 eggs
2 cups finely shredded medium Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a large muffin tin (8 grand size cups) by spraying with cooking spray.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the spinach, salt, and pepper, and stir, cooking for about 5 minutes until spinach is heated thoroughly. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.

Open the biscuit canister and separate into 8 biscuits. Press each biscuit out flat with your hands and place one in each of the 8 prepared muffin cups. Pull and press the biscuit up the sides of the muffin cup.

Divide the bacon evenly and place in the bottom of each cup.

Divide the spinach mixture evenly and spoon into each muffin cup. Make an indentation in the center of the spinach.

Crack each egg into separate little bowls or cups; slide one egg into each of the eight muffin cups into the indentation you made in the spinach. Salt and pepper as desired.

Divide the shredded cheese evenly and sprinkle on the top of each egg in the muffin cups.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the biscuits are deep golden brown.

Remove from oven and let cool for 7 to 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 large potluck size servings. This recipe can easily be repeated as often as necessary to make 8, 16, 24, or more. You can also make smaller muffins using regular size biscuits and small eggs.