Potlucks have to be one of the greatest traditions ever. What’s better than gathering together with your community and sharing a delicious offering fresh from your kitchen? That’s what we’re all about here at Just A Pinch! And nothing but the best will do when it comes to feeding your friends and family, so we’re dishing on some of our favorite potluck picks!
Every memory of my childhood potlucks includes a steamy pot of delicious Sweet and Sour Meatballs. Home cook Christine Whisenhunt has practically perfected the art of savory meatballs made for sharing. Her go-to recipe originated with a special co-worker who always wowed at office gatherings. “I got this recipe from Ken, someone I worked with years ago,” explains Christine. “He brought these [meatballs] to a potluck we had and I HAD to have the recipe.” What sets this tasty recipe apart from some others is its stellar sauce! As fresh in flavor as it is silky in texture, the subtly sweet and sour sauce is terrific on meats of all sorts. “We’ve all had those ‘potluck meatballs in sauce’,” laughs Christine, “but to this day I still think this is the best sauce I’ve ever had on them. The possibilities are endless! I hope you give it a try and enjoy it too!”
Patti Smith is another savvy home cook adding her special spin to a traditional recipe. Her Baked Spaghetti blends the best of classic Italian flavors with the ease of convenient ingredients. “This is one of my all time favorites,” says Patti. “It is fantastic to take to potlucks or to a friend who is under the weather.” In addition to it tasting fab, this recipe is a good go-to because it’s so easy to prepare. Use canned tomatoes and condensed cream of mushroom soup for a shortcut meal that is long on versatility. In fact, Patti even suggests repurposing leftovers as a cold pasta salad! The crew and I shared this recipe at a luncheon recently and it was a hands-down hit.
Of course what says “potluck” more than the great, American crock pot?! In our insatiable hunt for all things deliciously crock pot, we have found some super fun ways to celebrate the power of the slow cooker. An all-time fave comes from Ms. Cindy Dominguez who has shared her secret for Crock Pot Cake! That’s right… cake. As in, ooey, gooey chocolaty sweetness. “I always wanted to make a cake in a crock pot… so now I do,” says Cindy plainly. The recipe calls for just seven common ingredients… and three of them are chocolate! Proceed with caution as Cindy promises the smell of this cake is liable to make you go nuts with desire. Ooh, nuts! Now there’s an idea. Add a pinch of pecans and a scoop of ice cream for a truly memorable dessert fit for a crowd.
There you have it, a sampling of just a few of our favorite potluck picks! Now we want to know what you’re serving up at your community gatherings!
Have a go-to potluck pick of your own? Let us know – we can’t wait to give it a try!