How to Take the Pot Luck out of Potluck Dinners

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By HannahShalom
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Great potluck salad

Most of us have been to potluck dinners and found that the offerings were lopsided. Maybe there was mostly Jello salads or green bean casseroles. While these dishes are great, 12 green bean casseroles or Jello salads and very little else doesn't make much of a dinner. All too often, potluck dinners are not really organized at all and this is why the variety of food is so limited. There is a way to increase the variety of your next potluck dinner if you are in on the planning and organizing of it. The steps below can be modified to fit any occasion when a potluck dinner is planned.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

paper
pen or pencil
computer
phone

Step 1

When you are part of a group that has potluck dinners fairly frequently, such as a church, club or even family gatherings, you usually know who comes to them regularly. Make a list of these people on one sheet of paper and list everyone else on another that you think may come. The first list will have nearly everyone in a family who is close enough to attend, so that will make the variety food quite good.
Step 2

Next, divide the dishes into groups by type, such as appetizers, breads, tossed and other types of salads, fruit salads, green vegetables, any other vegetables, high protein foods (meats, fish, and legumes), desserts and drinks.
Step 3

. On you first list, write two different types of dishes next to each name and do the same on the other list. For example, next to the Jones' name, write appetizers and desserts, next the Smith's name, write high protein dish and fruit salad, etc. Do this until all the types of dishes are fairly evenly divided among the people on the lists.
Step 4

Now you begin calling or emailing the people on the lists, starting with the first list. Don't assume people are going to come, invite them first and then ask them to bring one or both of the dishes listed by their name. Write down what they tell you, including whether they are coming and what they will bring. This will help keep track of who is coming and what dishes are being brought. This will help you modify the list to ensure as wide a variety as possible. Once the first list is finished, do the same with the second list. This list is not as crucial but can still make the difference in the variety of dishes brought for the potluck.
Step 5

. On the day of the potluck, have tables set up for the prepared dishes and one for drinks. Designate where each type of dish will be placed so all related types are together. This helps make it easier for people to choose what they want as they fill their plates.