Help with a first time event....

S

sallybr

Well-known member
here is the deal, guys and girls:

we just joined officially a new department, and they do a monthly potluck (I know, I know, most folks are not too fond of potlucks, me included) to celebrate all Birthdays of the month

this will be our first time joining this departmental event and I want to make something nice, but simple (in fact the email announcing it states clearly "Simpler is better")

I also would like to make something that would be Atkins friendly because my husband's secretary told me she is trying to lose weight and she avoids the potlucks because everything is so fattening - I know she will attend this one because we'll be there, soooooo I would love to go the extra mile and do something special for her

my first idea was to serve a hummus type dip over thinly sliced cucumbers - would that work?

I would take a tray with the already assembled appetizers, maybe add a little herb decoration on top, or black sesame seeds????

ideas? suggestions? should I also take something carb-loaded for those so inclined, or would that be too show-off-ish?

(I know it's ultra short notice request, but with the way my life has been lately, 48 hours notice for ANYTHING is more than I can ask for!)

 
How about deviled eggs (yogurt instead of mayo) with bacon and chives? Thing about appys at pot-luck

is unless they're individual portions, they become messy VERY quickly. People want to just grab a few pieces and be on their way to the Mac & Cheese Casserole or the KFC some newbie brought. You could also do Caprese Salad Skewers for the Atkins-ites alongside Tortellini on a Stick for those more carb-foolhardy.

As the surviving organizer of over 70 potlucks (every time I do a show, I've done a pot-luck for my cast and crew) I've watched the best and worst come and go. The "help-yourself-to-some" dishes get SO nasty looking after a few people have helped themselves, individually portioned amounts are often more appetizing.

 
For the hummus, you could supply sliced cucumbers, radishes, cherry tomatoes, and pita bread

or pita chips. That should cover both the dieters and the carbo-loaders. A lowfat yogurt dip on the same tray would be nice if it's a large crowd.

 
Also, you don't want to do anything too too fabulous the first time. You need to have room

to upgrade in future months.

 
Caprese skewers can't be beat! If you have access to fresh basil leaves, they are wonderful. If

not, just add some dried basil to a balsamic vinaigrette of 3/4 c EVOO, 1/2 C blasamaic, 1 t salt and 1/2 t pepper. Try to find "club party picks", which are longer toothpicks with frilly ends, to hold the tomato and cheese. Use ordinary Kraft mozarella cheese, cut into chunks. This always disappears FAST when I bring it.

http://www.eat.at/swap/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=1&msgid=109317

 
Potluck in my office? I was the only one who made something homemade. Definitely

check out the scene and see what others are doing.

 
My experience with the office get togethers, is to have something really dip friendly

the team will devour it throughout the day. My thoughts are Bonnie's buffalo chicken dip, Dawn's Pizza dip, or Richard's Key Lime pie dip. You can serve veggies on the side to scoop up the dip and certainly can make it look fancy.

 
These are one of my faves, too. I found that skewering the cheese & tomatoes then

drizzling with a basil pesto and a dash of sea salt was SO much easier than trying to skewer the basil leaves smileys/smile.gif

 
Sally, if you want to do the cucumber/hummus thing, try this:

Cut the cucumbers into about 3/4" pieces and scoop out the center with a melon baller. Then fill with hummus and some bit of garnish...parsley leaf or something. You can also scoop out and fill little tomatoes.

 
I love pesto...just finished eating linguine and pesto for dinner and

there is no way I would eat anything with pesto on it around other people. I always end up with green spots between my teeth. I would have to just sigh and walk on by even though I love a caprese type salad.

 
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