Chances are, at some point you’ll be invited to a party where you will have to bring a dish. Potlucks are a common occurrence in some circles, especially if you’re a part of a church group. If you’ve never been to a potluck dinner before, you might feel a little overwhelmed or nervous at the idea of bringing a dish to share. If you’re going to a potluck dinner for the first time, there are a few things you can do to make sure the day goes well and that everything runs smoothly.
- First of all, make sure you bring a dish that is easy to eat and easy to serve. Steak is not the best choice for a potluck since it requires the eater to sit down and use both a steak knife and a fork to eat it. Hamburgers are an easier option since they can be eaten standing up and with no silverware.
- Secondly, make sure you choose to make something that is easy to make. Don’t opt for a difficult or challenging recipe on the first try. It’s much better to choose a simple, easy-to-prepare dish you know you can pull off successfully than trying to impress your friends and making something for the first time that turns out poorly.
- Thirdly, remember to choose something allergy-friendly. Shellfish or peanut dishes are generally a no-no unless you know with certainty that no one attending has allergies. Instead, try to stick to dishes with traditional ingredients that most people don’t tend to have problems with. Milk-based dishes are okay, but make sure to put a note on the serving dish that says “contains milk” so no one with a lactose intolerance accidentally eats it.
And finally, always think of the kids. It is horrible to attend a party that doesn’t have anything that the kids will eat. I always make sure that my dish is family friendly. You can also bring a bag of chips, animal crackers or another one of your children’s favorites to make sure the kids will have fun too.