Hosting a potluck party is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to entertain. Everyone does a little bit of the work and pays a small share of the expense for one big, fun party. Potluck parties are especially convenient in the summertime when friends want to gather outside, often in public places. Instead of one person hauling all of the food and beverages for the party to the park, the beach, or the lake, each person brings one dish and beverage.
While thinking about the process of organizing a potluck, it occurred to me that I could organize a potluck of sorts by gathering the best dishes for summertime potlucks from the wonderful Food Guides here at About.com. I've put together a collection of diverse recipes from around the world that will be suitable for taking to your next summertime potluck. But before we get to the food, let's deal with the planning part first.
How to Organize a Potluck
Pick the location. If not in someone's home, you'll want to think about whether your guests need a place that already has seating and tables or whether everyone's okay with bringing blankets and chairs from home.
Although you don't need to assign each person a specific dish, you will want to give out general assignments such as salad, bread, dessert, main dish, or paper goods and beverages for friends who really don't want to cook! By assigning categories of food, you'll make sure there will be a complete meal, instead of all desserts.
Keep a master list of what each person will bring so that your potluck doesn't consist of 10 potato salads and 5 batches of brownies. If someone volunteers to bring a dish that is already well covered, ask them to choose a recipe from a category that isn't.
The portion size of each dish will really depend on how many friends are participating in the potluck. The greater the variety, the smaller each dish needs to be since each person will only take a small taste of each one. But if only one person is bringing a course, they should bring enough to serve the whole group.
Remind your guests that they should bring hot food in a container that will keep it hot and cold food in a cooler to keep it cold for food safety purposes.
Ask each guest to bring the necessary serving utensil for their dish if the party isn't held in a home.
Recipes Perfect for a Summertime Potluck Party
When selecting a recipe to bring to a summertime potluck, all dishes should be able to be prepared completely in advance, and those that are good when served at room temperature make an excellent choice. The only exception to this rule is meat that will be grilled on-site at the party.
Appetizers/First CoursesRoasted Peppers in Oil - I grew up eating roasted red peppers in our Italian antipasti all of the time. This recipe from Barbara Rolek, Eastern European Food Guide, proves that this recipe is a winner across the continent. It can be easily increased for additional servings.
Panzanella - This excellent potluck dish from Italian Food Guide Kyle Phillips uses up your stale bread in a way that creates a savory first or side course. Isn't that clever?
Main CoursesIndo-Dutch Satay - Satay has become so entrenched in Dutch food culture that it’s now seen as near-native. Dutch Food Guide Karin Engelbrecht shares this satay recipe that is popular for summer barbecues and potluck parties.
Coronation Chicken - Elaine Lemm, About.com Guide to British Food serves up this recipe that's true to the tradition of potluck in that you can use your chicken leftovers to make a dish worthy of the Queen.
Moroccan Vegetarian Carrot and Chickpea Tagine - This spicy vegetarian tagine from Moroccan Food Guide Christine Benlafquih will work as either a main or side dish.
Couscous with Lemon, Mint and Garbanzo Beans - This light summer salad will work as a vegetarian main dish or side dish for all of your guests, thanks to Jolinda Hackett, About.com guide to Vegetarian Food.
Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers - This variation on chicken skewers, shared by About.com Guide to South American Food Marian Blazes, creates both tender and flavorful chicken from the chile marinade they absorb overnight.
Continue on for side dishes, salad, dessert and beverage recipes.
