Potluck fails - help

[Anonymous]

Make simpler things. Chocolate chip cookies, Ghirardelli brownies, homemade mac & cheese, fruit skewers… The more ingredients the item you bring has the higher the likelihood that someone won’t like it.

[Anonymous]

I'm a really good cook, but for a potluck? Rice Krispie Treats all the way.

[Anonymous]

If there will be a lot of kids there, I make Jello. I've gotten mocked for the Jello and I totally get it. But I've never seen anything disappear so fast than a bowl of Jello at a potluck.

I think it's because kids never get it otherwise but..it's jello.

[Anonymous]

I bring an Indian-style chickpea salad that is always well received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My potluck got-tos are brownies (Barefoot Contessa recipe or Ghirardelli boxed mix) and pigs in a blanket. DCUM will scoff but they always - and I mean always - get eaten. I've experimented with "fancier" fare and it never goes over as well as something classic and familiar.

My wife does a version of pigs in a blanket where she uses little smokies then pours a butter and honey sauce over and sprinkles chopped walnuts on it before baking. They also always are a hit too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want your potluck dishes to be finished, make things that are finger food or individually portioned and easily picked up and eaten.

Many people do not like runny, messy food that touches other food and mixes.
Never bring a food that can’t be eaten with just a fork, while standing and holding a plate. No cutting. No spoon food.

Little sandwiches on King’s Hawaiian rolls
Pigs in a blanket
Pizza bites in pilsbury croissant dough
Mini muffin meatloafs
Meatballs with dipping sauce on the side
Things made in wonton or egg roll wrappers
Mexican taco “cups” made with tortillas baked in the shape of a muffin tin
Bruschetta
Items arranged on a toothpick to be eaten in a bite
Individually cut brownies or Rice Krispie treats - don’t make a pan that people cut their own
Any sort of cookie

A lot of god suggestions by this PP.

I still remember a pot luck at the office where I made a bit sized Indian appetizer that went quick and my friend made an Indian pudding and it sat there and she was begging the Indians in the office to take some home. We were of course glad to since we knew how much effort it takes to make that and it was yummy. But the runny thing trned people off.

+1 to making a Peruvian dish or bringing brownies

Other stuff I can think of:
Any filling inside pastry sheets cut into bite size pieces
Layered Jello with canned fruits like orange - set it in the tiny cups (bathroom cups).

[Anonymous]

A lot of people mentioning stuff with nuts - I would not bring anything with nuts to a potluck (and we don't have allergies in our family).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a really good cook, but for a potluck? Rice Krispie Treats all the way.

Go fancy and make Smitten Kitchen brown butter krispie treats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bring an Indian-style chickpea salad that is always well received.

NP - sounds delicious. Can you share the recipe?

[Anonymous]

I once brought a bucket of Auntie Anne's cinnamon sugar pretzel nuggets to a potluck and they disappeared in under 2 minutes. Not kidding.

[Anonymous]

I always bring something that my picky husband and kids will eat- home made mac n cheese. Mine is super creamy and has not breadcrumbs on to. Only use mini shells or elbow. This is always eaten and finished by all of the other picky eater kids. Don't change up the shape of the pasta because it scares the toddlers away from eating it.

For dessert bring brownies or rice Krispy treats

[Anonymous]

Make something Peruvian! I love anticuchos...my fav is the grilled beef heart.

[Anonymous]

At a pot luck, most people like to know what they're eating, so keep it simple and obvious. It doesn't matter how good it is, if it's mysterious looking people won't want to try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once brought a bucket of Auntie Anne's cinnamon sugar pretzel nuggets to a potluck and they disappeared in under 2 minutes. Not kidding.

Store bought stuff is popular with kids and germaphobes

[Anonymous]

I eat alot of different things. I have no bias to food. But, what you list is just not appealing.

I think it depends on who your audience/eaters are. You are not going to find a bunch of carnivores devouring salads with special ingredients.

For kids, stick with popsicles, brownies and jello.
Chips and more chips

Something easy to pick up. How about satay chicken or grilled chicken on a stick.