Potluck

Holiday season is a time of the year spent with friends and family, and what could be a better way to share the joyful and festive spirit than to gather around the dinner table? No wonder our busy holiday schedules are filled with dinner parties, lunch invitations, and meetings with colleagues over coffee and hot chocolate. Bringing food to the friends’ house is a gesture of warmth and a way to help your loved ones throughout the busy season; this is why potluck dinners are so popular during the holidays. However, for vegetarians and vegans it is somewhat harder to figure out what to contribute to the table.

“Hope for the best but expect the worst” - is my motto when preparing for a potluck and it works on more than one level. First of all, I expect that my dish will be the only vegetarian alternative on the table and therefore I make sure to bring something filling. Also I always keep in mind that people are less likely to try a new, vegan dish, this is why a spin-off of an old favorite or something a bit more conservative works great for the potluck. Finally, I make sure to “test-drive” my recipe before the big night and double check all the necessary ingredients and spices.

Here are some tips and tricks for the vegan/vegetarian potluck meals:

1. When using tofu blend it with other ingredients.

Tofu has been labeled as a bland food and most people, including some vegetarians, do not like the taste of it. When cooking for potluck with tofu mix it with vegetables or flavor with sauces.

2. Bring a dish that does not need “veganizing”.

Reading the vegan blogs I came across a story of a gentleman, serving the same tomato pasta sauce (simple concoction of tomatoes, garlic, herbs and spices) to his friends on two occasions. The first time, he specifically mentioned that the sauce was vegan whereas the week after he served the same sauce without making any announcement. To his surprise, more people liked the sauce the second time round and even made comments about it being tastier than the vegan one. Psychologically, knowing that the dish has some secret “vegan” ingredients, made people less open to like or even try it. Bring a familiar dish that does not need to be announced as vegan and does not require any “modifications” (an appetizer of vegetables with humus, bean salad, or a vegetarian chili).

3. Avoid food that needs refrigerating.

A successful potluck dinner means lots of friends having a good time and a fridge filled with plates, serving dishes, and salad bowls. Your dish might have to wait on the counter for a while before being served. Keep this in mind when deciding what to bring. Casseroles and one-pot-dishes that do not need refrigeration are the best. If you are opting for a salad, bring the dressing separately and toss it just before serving.

4. Avoid dishes with unusual, strong flavors.

Although it is hard to satisfy everyone’s taste, it is better to play safe when preparing for the potluck. Unusual spices, hot peppers, and even some herbs, such as cilantro, should be used in moderation. If you are opting for some spicy or exotic dishes let the guests know by making tag-cards.

5. Be sensitive to the food allergies and specific intolerances others might have.

Food allergies and intolerance for specific ingredients are becoming more and more frequent. If your dish contains peanuts (or any other nuts), wheat, or milk products let the host and other guests know.

6. Be a “green” host.

When hosting a potluck try to minimize the amount of waste and garbage. Avoid using paper-plates and plastic utensils. If you do not have enough dishes and cutlery ask your friends to bring some. If you end up using the paper or plastic dishes opt for the recycled ones or the rigid ones that could be washed and reused. To avoid the food waste, pack some “to go” boxes for your guests. You can use the take out paper boxes from your favorite Asian restaurant or better make some yourself using the template provided in our Craft section. Use a string to create a handle and line the box with wax or parchment paper. You can decorate the boxes with drawings or appliquйs and label with the name of the dish.

Text: Anya Sokolovskaya
Images: G & A Scholiers (Stock.xchng)
Lori Christensen (Stockvault)
Marja Flick-Buijs (Stock.xchng)