What Do You like to Bring to a Potluck?

I like to make a dish my aunt calls "stuff". It's a desserty/jelloy dish. The recipe goes something like this:

Buy whatever kind of jello you want (grape ends up looking grey, though, so I don't make that one unless it's a halloween party and I want something to look like brains) and vanilla ice cream. I like french vanilla, I think it makes it creamier.

Boil water for jello, and mix it with the jello mix in a big bowl. While still hot, wisk in a few scoops of ice cream in until completely melted. Add in more ice cream, mix until melted. Continue until you've used the container of ice cream (I grab the box, I don't know how much that is) or until it won't melt anymore.

Refrigerate in whatever container you want to take to the potluck and refrigerate overnight. If you want, "frost" it with cool whip before serving. Simple and yummy.

(And usually we title it by color. If we use strawberry, call it pink stuff.)

Alternatively to the vanilla ice cream, if you were using say, peach jello you could use peach ice cream and make it extra peachy.

I like to take things that do not require heat or cooling and will be ok either way.

We like Texas Caviar.. a black eyed pea dish
Antipasta platter with good meats, cheeses, grilled veggies
cheese, fruit, veggie platters
watermelon

If I need to take a more hearty, larger dish... the meatballs are a good idea, pulled pork, etc.

I like bringing salad and fruit, as usually there is so much food, it is good to have something light and refreshing.
Watermelon would be great this time of the year...
Also, I make sure there is some "main" course that my kid will eat. If I am not sure what others are bringing and there is no grill, I would probably bring a "pizza for the kids" as well...

I would probably make a pasta salad.

I like to bring deviled eggs they are pretty easy to do and almost everyone loves them!

My usual's are meatballs, lasagna, pasta salad and perogies (with fried onions and kielbasa).

Buffalo Chicken Dip (google it). So addictive!

In the winter months I usually do my artichoke dip

Summer months either
Spinach orzo salad
veggie or fruit tray
Pesto tortellini
This http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spinach-basil-pasta-salad/de...
homemade hummus

If hosts are grilling, I prep these, as grilled appetizers.

Get this sliced sopresata or oversized salami.
put a tablespoon of ricotta with minced basil inside.
fold up into a pouch
seal with a wood skewer/ toothpick.
these can be eaten raw or grilled.

They are uber yummy.

Have fun

Z.:

Depends upon the time of the year...in-door, out-door, electricity available?

Out-door with no electricity?

Deviled Eggs - i have the Pampered Chef cool and serve try for them!!
http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?pro...=

Pasta salad -
medium pasta shells cooked to al-dente
Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
tablespoon or two of Zesty Italian dressing
sliced black olives
halved cherry tomatoes
bacon bits (real bacon chopped works best)
combine together - I bring the ranch dressing with me as the pasta can sometimes absorb it and I like my pasta salad moist.

Fresh fruit tray - I usually put a bag of ice at the bottom of the container to keep them cool.

With electricity? I bring a crock pot and fill it with:
Teriyaki meatballs OR
BBQ meatballs
I bring a box of tooth picks as well

I have been known to bring some cookies as well!

Have fun!!! Enjoy!

-mini sandwich makings (mini sub breads or those King's Hawaiian mini
rolls, salami, turkey, ham, sliced cheese, mustard)
-3 salads: potato salad, pasta salad & a green salad w/lots of things in it

I tend to take a couple of loaves of homemade bread and some honey butter.

Pull BBQ chicken. You just do it in the crock pot. Put 6 or 8lbs of thighs or breasts n thighs mixed but they need the fat in thighs, in there with a large onion diced 4 cloves of garlic diced and a little red pepper flake slat pepper and a little chicken broth on the bottom and and turn it on low n let it go. You may be able to cook the night before and warm it on low or high depending on time in the morning. You Cook till u can shred chicken with a fork n you mix in your favorite bbq sauce and bring buns and maybe Cole slaw if you want

My go-to for potluck is a Quinoa salad. The one I use has tons of veggies and fruit in it and is still light and fresh. Just google some recipes or check out pinterest for 100s of variations. You could also just wing it and put whatever you have on hand.

Mine usually has: carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, broccoli, oranges, apples, craisins, toasted almonds, cilantro, and a dressing of red wine vinegar, fresh lemon and lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic.

Sounds good!
I like to bake, so I usually go with baked goods. My favorites in the summer are double decker cookie dough brownies, root beer cookies, or scotcharoos (the peanut butter rice krispie treats with chocolate on top). This year we are trying to be a bit healthier so my standard potluck dish is just watermelon, I think it is always welcome!
My friend always brings that corn salad (Paula Deen recipe). If you have not tried it, you should!!!!

Things I have taken to pot lucks/reunions/parties with a crowd......

Baked beans that I made home made. They can be served hot, cooled down, or cold.

Spinach lasagna. I baked it and took it out of the oven right before we left. I wrapped the pan with the foil still over the top in several thick towels then sat it on the floor of the vehicle. We drove a couple of hours away. When we got there it was still warm and edible.

Chili and all sorts of toppings, beans, spaghetti cooked and mixed up at home then covered and kept warm, pulled pork/BBQ meat of any sort then bring buns and toppings,

I have taken a lot of different foods. It's the transporting that takes thought. If you have any dish that you really like and think is special then it "can" be taken if you just figure out how to transport it.

Sometimes I just want to do some side dish that I can stop and buy at the local deli and not worry about anything that I have to cook.

I'm a vegetarian, so I usually make something that I know is "safe" like a black bean salad or bulgar and lentil salad. Something with protein and filling enough that if there's nothing else I can eat, I won't feel like I'm starving.
I've also found that fruit salad is a good bet (unless you're hoping for leftovers).