Potluck fails - help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cupcakes from a box mix like duncan hines/betty crocker, decorated with frosting from a can. Or frosting from the back of the powdered sugar box (usually 1 box powdered sugar, one stick butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 tablespoons milk, all pureed together). Put sprinkles on top.

This is the taste of childhood for many Americans. I used to make cupcakes from scratch, but nobody liked them as much as those spongey, artificially-flavored box mix cupcakes. People will gobble them down and ask for your recipe.

Or just mix up a batch of pisco sours for adults and a couple bottles of Inka Kola for the kids.

Funfetti for the win

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always asked to take deviled eggs and even when I bring six dozen, they are all eaten. Brownies and cookies are a hit. Macaroni and cheese. Meatballs in a sauce made of chili sauce and grape jelly. My friend had a Thai peanut sauce chicken on skewers recipe that’s a major hit. Another friend makes quesadillas. They’re good unless they get soggy. Your choices wouldn’t have been hits at the pot lucks I go to. Pastas just aren’t that popular and the dessert sounds too sweet and messy.

OP here: thank you, this is useful feedback.

[Anonymous]

Corn/black bean/red pepper/onion salad with cilantro and lime juice vinaigrette.

Little weenies and meatballs in chili sauce/grape or cranberry jelly heated together.

Tiger butter if it’s not hot (melts readily)

Really good homemade potato salad.

Green beans with butter and maybe almonds.

A box of chocolates.

Caprese skewers.

[Anonymous]

I love Peruvian as much as anyone else but what Peruvian dishes are good for potluck?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately OP, for potlucks, Americans kind of except and want the gross “traditional” stuff they would never make or eat at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am always asked to take deviled eggs and even when I bring six dozen, they are all eaten. Brownies and cookies are a hit. Macaroni and cheese. Meatballs in a sauce made of chili sauce and grape jelly. My friend had a Thai peanut sauce chicken on skewers recipe that’s a major hit. Another friend makes quesadillas. They’re good unless they get soggy. Your choices wouldn’t have been hits at the pot lucks I go to. Pastas just aren’t that popular and the dessert sounds too sweet and messy.

OP here: thank you, this is useful feedback.

You should post where your potlucks are. Those meatballs in grape jelly might be a big hit in some areas, but I promise you that nobody I know would touch them. You have to cater to the crowd. Are you in Bowie? Potomac? McLean? Burke? It's likely to matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

That's actually kind of....sad.

[Anonymous]

If this is for a swim team dinner, be sure to cater to the cheapest, most kid-friendly food. I used to try, and nothing is appreciated as much as watermelon, grocery store cookies and Taco Bell taco packs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Peruvian as much as anyone else but what Peruvian dishes are good for potluck?

Arroz chaufa would be great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

That's actually kind of....sad.

What? That's not sad at all. Brownies, Rice Krispie treats, and mac & cheese are all great things to bring. At a recent neighborhood potluck, one young, childless couple made mac & cheese (may have been Kraft!) and put it in little clear plastic cups with spoons. The kids devoured them. I thought it was genius and made a mental note. I added the childless because you'd think a parent would've thought of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Peruvian as much as anyone else but what Peruvian dishes are good for potluck?

Cuy.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I am near Reston/Vienna. This is a recurring event so every week, you get assigned a category (drinks, sides, main-dish, dessert). They have themes (Mexican, pasta night, salads etc.) Folk are generally in their late 30s-50s. Kids span from elementary to middle-school aged. High-schoolers are too cool to attend

Thank you for all the feedback. I think I get what I should not make and I will ask for suggestions next time.

[Anonymous]

OP - on the pasta salad it sounds like you found a bad recipe. It’s better to cook the pasta Al dente and then mix with the dressing , let cool etc. Soft pasta is not good. Fresh cheesy tomatoes are far better than sun dried. The pretzel thing just sounds gross. I’d look for a different recipe site.

The NYT times cooking subscription has really good recipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I am near Reston/Vienna. This is a recurring event so every week, you get assigned a category (drinks, sides, main-dish, dessert). They have themes (Mexican, pasta night, salads etc.) Folk are generally in their late 30s-50s. Kids span from elementary to middle-school aged. High-schoolers are too cool to attend

Thank you for all the feedback. I think I get what I should not make and I will ask for suggestions next time.

Sounds like fun!

[Anonymous]

Dates wrapped in bacon. Seriously, these go so fast!!


Chocolate chip cookies. This is the best recipe! And do yourself a favor and buy some cookie scoops. Makes making cookies or filling muffin tins so much easier!
https://savorysweetlife.com/alices-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe/

Mexican layer dip is alway popular. I make this all the time and it’s devoured! I always have to remember to make a little dish for myself and leave it at home or I’ll never get any.
I make this in a 13x9 casserole dish. The key is to make the Mayo/sour cream-taco seasoning mix the night before. Then layer everything except the tomatoes, green onions and optional olives. Put those in separate bags. Put them on once you arrive.

Mexican Layered Dip Ingredients
8 oz Sour Cream
8 oz Mayonnaise
1 pkg Taco Seasoning (mild)
1 can Refried Beans
4 cups Shredded Cheese, mexican blend
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch Green Onions, chopped
1 small can Black olives, minced (optional)
1 Tortilla Chips
Mix sour cream, Mayo, and taco seasoning the night before.
Spread and refried beans onto bottom of 13x9 casserole dish. Spread taco seasoning mixture on top. Spread cheese mixture on top. Spread chopped tomatoes on top of cheese (if tomatoes are super seedy or watery, remove some/all seeds. I usually buy 3 tomatoes in case there isn’t enough with just 2). Sprinkle green onions.
Lots of people hate olives. So often I don’t use them. But if I do, I only put it half.