November 28 2007: Potluck
How do you throw a dinner party for seven people without raising a sweat? It’s not hard: you just need to make it a potluck dinner.
While you as the host should provide the very basics (drinks, chips and dips, appetisers, a pot of rice, etc.), all the guests bring along their own specialty main courses. That’s why at my potluck dinner party tonight, myself and my friends ended up with:
- A pot of rice
- Corn chips and guacamole
- Myriad bottles of drinkables
- San Choi Bao (Lettuce rolls - you get a vegetarian filling of fried corn, carrots, mushrooms, etc, and wrap it up in lettuce leaves)
- A mango salad
- Cold pasta with olives and sun dried tomatoes
- Spicy tofu and broccolini
- Fruit platter
It’s a real mix, and the great thing about potluck dinners like this is that you have a real mix of different cuisines. You get to try dishes that you might not normally eat, and have the chance to expand your culinary tastes.
It takes only minimal effort to set up, and rather than spending $30AUD on dinner out at a restaurant with friends, you’re spending $10AUD for the ingredients of a meal in the privacy of your own home, in the company of those you love.
It’s a win-win situation.
Man, I’ve had enough of my friends cooking to know this would be a BAD idea, but probably also a great story in the end.
Kimmie on November 28 2007 #
I’m with Kimmie on this one. I rarely eat at my friends’ house parties because the food is always… well I prefer my mum’s cooking :-P Unless of course there’s catering, yum :)
Kat on November 28 2007 #
Lucky for me, all my friends love cooking. :) So that’s a great idea.
Anastasia on November 29 2007 #
So that’s what a potluck is! :)
Jennifer on November 29 2007 #
I’ve seen what my friends eat and so it would be a definite, ‘NO WAY!’ from me. But if I get friends with better taste in the future, or I suddenly develop a liking for vegetables, then I might think that’s a great idea. :P
Amber on November 29 2007 #
We had a potluck Thanksgiving with my group of friends. The hostess made the turkey and two side dishes, everyone else brought what they wanted to eat. Everyone had a great time! I made a ham and everyone loved it. =D Though we ended up with about 60 dinner rolls, 4 people brought some sort of dinner roll. It really is a great way to throw a dinner party. You know you’ll at least be able to eat the dish you brought, especially if you have allergies or are a vegetarian.
Mallory on November 29 2007 #
I love having dinners with my friends, whether it’s at a restaurant or at home. Going out for dinner can be cheap too so I don’t have to throw a party like this for the money but it’s a nice change :D
Chans on November 29 2007 #
I’d never heard of a potluck dinner, but it seems I’ve been missing out! It sounds good because it provides for everyone! I might just have to try it :P
And thanks for that link, I was greatly amused but not overly surprised for some reason :D
Alexandra on November 29 2007 #
I love potlucks! As you said, the variety of food offers a lot of choice for picky eaters. And I find them to be a much more relaxed environment compared to a restaurant dinner.
Kaylee on November 29 2007 #
All I can think of is family pot-lucks… and, nuh-uh, no.
To me potlucks = certain family members that I loathe. I’ve had some bad experiences with potlucks, needless to say.
Rafia on November 29 2007 #