Recipes for Convivium: The Feast

Italian Potluck [December 15, 2003]

Guess what; Potlucks are back! This is a lost art of entertaining that is being reinvented and rightfully so. It’s a fun and easy way to entertain.  

What is a “Potluck”? The host and/or hostess can provide the main course and all the other families or guests bring a side dish. Your guests feel great about contributing, everyone shares the cost of a larger meal, and it can be accomplished with two to a gazillion families or couples. The biggest benefit is that you will entertain more often with the Potluck dinner, because it is probably the least stressful way to entertain!

If everyone you are inviting has access to the Internet, let me suggest that instead of calling everyone, coordinate via email. The advantage of email is that the host and/or hostess can announce what the main course will be and list what others can bring. When the other participants sign up for what they will bring, they reply to the whole group, so everyone knows what is still needed for the meal. This saves the host and/or hostess time and provides even less stress. There is very little, if any, phone coordination needed.

Let me strongly recommend that you serve buffet style and have everyone fix their own plate so that the host and/or hostess can enjoy the meal and their guests and vice versa.

I usually like to coordinate the meal around a theme. Here is an example for you to try with your first “Return of the Potluck” dinner with neighbors and friends.

Italian Potluck

Host/Hostess: Spaghetti & Sauce; Lasagna (Stouffers makes a great tray of Lasagna if you are not a cook); or other Italian casserole of your choice

Others Bring: Breads, Salads, Drinks

If you have a large group you can ask for a specific number of each things. For example: list two or three salads; three or four desserts; two or three breads and have two people bring drinks. If your group is small the host and/or hostess might make the main dish, bread, and drinks and have the other family bring dessert and salad.

Bon Appétit!

Randy & Rozanne Frazee

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