Potluck dinner

[awick14]

I know some people don't like potlucks, or anything else about how we do this dinner just ignore this post! I know everyone has different opinions on this topic but this is just the way our friends and us do things.

DH and I love to host parties if you haven't noticed, and we normally do a holiday dinner each year with our friends. This year with not only the busy holidays but my brothers wedding we have decided to do dinner on Nov 29th. (NOT thanksgiving here) The dinner is always a potluck dinner where we make a main course/main dessert and everyone else brings a side or a small dessert to add to the dessert table.

I have no idea what to make. I am willing to try something new for either of the dishes, as I can make them before the event so the event won't be the first time to make it.

Some details about the event:
-Approx 15-20 people
-It's not a sit down dinner, it's more of a mingling type of thing.
-It will be a dinner party that lasts until 1-2am, so lots of drinking and possibly CAH or some other sort of games
-there will be no children to try and plan for

Any suggestions welcome.

[luv2rn4fun]

I'm thinking prime rib or a pork tenderloin roast, maybe even a turkey (although this still sounds good to me because we haven't had Thanksgiving yet).

Or you could do something like a taco bar if you want to go more casual...

Your party sounds like a ton of fun! I'm sure your guests will love and appreciate whatever you decide to make!

[Deleted]

I only ever hosted two gatherings at my house, and both times we grilled burgers and had various salads as side dishes, but that was in the summer. The thought of hosting a big group makes me nervous!

At other people's houses, people have made main courses like: a big platter of mostaccioli, crock pot chili, a big roast. For something like this, my H and I would probably bake a few different kinds of meat, like a couple pounds of salmon, a roast chicken, and a few steaks (yes, I bake steaks lol, but they come out tasty, I assure you!). I'm really a newbie at hosting.

As for a dessert, being that I am so nervous I'd probably just buy something or bake some brownies and cookies. I don't do fancy cakes or pies. I would, however, have a veggie tray out as an appetizer with cherry tomatoes, orange bell pepper, raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc. and some chips and salsa...like I said, I'm very simple. I'd also sauté some green beans with garlic, just because I love that dish.

What have you made for a main course and dessert in the past?

[HoneySpider]

I like the taco bar idea!

Maybe lasagna or ziti? Chicken pot pies?

For dessert I would do pie because that's my thing (see other thread lol)

[MrsMB]

Chilli and Cornbread.

I'm sure you're all imagining me saying cornbread like "COOOHNbread." But I promise my accent isn't as thick

[Deleted]

I've done a taco bar before that was a big hit. I used shredded beef instead of ground beef. I also cooked it in the crockpot and put out a bunch of taco fixings.

I also have done meatballs for meatball subs.

I would do a roast or baked chicken breasts or a combo of different meats.

[krystee]

We tend to do Italian beef sandwiches and baked pasta when we have big casual crowds.

[spankswife]

I was also going to say a taco bar! Always a hit!

Or a pulled pork (bbq style).

Or you could do heavy apps, like meatballs, chicken wings, and finger sandwiches/sub ring.

[awick14]

Thanx ladies these are all great ideas. When DH gets home tonight we are going to try and figure it out.

Anymore dessert ideas?

[ginkgoleaf]

Maybe a crockpot of meatballs, either with marinara and sub sandwiches or pasta? Otherwise I do lasagna a lot, you could make a few and heat as needed. Taco bar sounds tasty too. Chili and cornbread would also be great. Maybe make-your-own salads as a side.

[estrellita]

I'm confused by anyone that hates potlucks. They're the best!

I like the taco bar idea! Easy and delicious, win win! Could also do a pasta of some sort. That would be pretty easy to make in large quantities. Otherwise some sort of meat in the crock pot for sandwiches (my mom usually shreds turkey or roast beef, could also do pork or chicken).

[ginkgoleaf]

Apple crisp for dessert. Or brownies, cookies, ice cream bar, cheesecake. Mmmmm dessert.

[ginkgoleaf]

Oh! you could also do pulled pork sandwiches, just keep the meat in the crockpot so it stays hot.

[spankswife]

What about a hot chocolate bar?!?!?!

hot chocolate in a crock pot, then have sides of marshmallows (diff flavors), peppermint sticks, PF pirouettes, chocolates, caramels, even Bailey's and/or Kahlua. MMMmmmm

Or brownies

[awick14]

estrellita- me too. Our group of friends try to have a potluck every 2-3 months.

If we didn't do potlucks DH and I wouldn't be able to host as many get togethers and our friends love them.

[awick14]

spankswife- that sounds yummy!!

[HoneySpider]

estrellita I love potlucks too!

[Skyesthelimit1212]

I'm OBSESSED with my crock pot, so a crock pot meal is my suggestion. I just cooked a whole 9lb chicken in my crock and crisped the skin in the oven. It was awesome. That's my suggestion.

[travelbug]

I love potlucks. They are the best!

I love the idea of a taco bar and a hot chocolate bar since it's so cold!

As for desserts, mini cheesecakes with various flavors could work. Various kinds of cookies. Mmm this thread made me very hungry!

[wanderingenough]

Ditto the taco bar suggestion. It's easy and a crowd pleaser. You can do pulled chicken or ground beef in a crockpot (or both), and then do dishes of veggies/toppings.

[D2M]

I love potlucks, too. For a big crowd, I'd be too nervous to make steaks (too many variables and if you overcook them, they're terrible). I'd go with things you can easily make ahead, like lasagna (one veggie, one meat) or chili. For dessert, I'd totally do a brownie sundae bar. Make brownies and maybe blondies too and then have ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, salted caramel sauce, chopped nuts... drool.

[sarahsas]

Build your own sundae bar... mmmm. Or maybe it's too frigid up in Canada.

I recently went to a shower with a cheesecake bar. They bought a few cheesecakes from Costco (plain) and had several toppings, like caramel, fudge, cookies, preserves, nuts, etc. It was delicious! It's always good to appeal to different tastes.

[awick14]

Nov 17, 2014 20:20:51 GMT -5 sarahsas said:

Build your own sundae bar... mmmm. Or maybe it's too frigid up in Canada.

I recently went to a shower with a cheesecake bar. They bought a few cheesecakes from Costco (plain) and had several toppings, like caramel, fudge, cookies, preserves, nuts, etc. It was delicious! It's always good to appeal to different tastes.

Too cold for a sundae bar. But I like the cheesecake bar.

[estrellita]

awick14 it's never too cold for ice cream! It's 8 degrees out and I just had some, lol.

[sarahsas]

estrellita AMEN SISTA!! Ice Cream is the pregnant chick's booze. I have some peppermint drumsticks in the freezer calling my name...

[travelbug]

I could eat ice cream EVERY day!!!!! So good!

[bk1]

I love the hot chocolate bar! Such a cool idea!