Author Topic: Thanksgiving Potluck. (Read 3771 times)

SioCat · « **on:** November 12, 2019, 09:55:50 am »

We have a few potlucks every year at work, so it’s not just Thanksgiving related. I am signing everyone up for the Thanksgiving potluck now though, so that’s why I’m thinking about this.

If you’re signing up for a potluck, how “creative” or different can you be with the dish that you signed up for?

Last Thanksgiving, someone signed up for baked Mac and cheese. I was going to sign up for that because I had made it the year before, but he signed up first so I had to pick something else. He put bacon in it, which meant that the vegetarians and the non pork eaters couldn’t eat it. I don’t know if that was rude, but I did feel some type of way.

Different potluck, someone signed up for Cole slaw. They brought a new spicy version. I personally thought it was the best coleslaw I’ve ever had. It was too spicy for other associates.

We had a spaghetti cook off not long ago and it was interesting to see some interpretations of such a simple dish.

So, what do you guys think?

So, what does everyone think?

Amara · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2019, 10:16:03 am »

I like unique takes on dishes (That cole slaw sounds fantastic and I'd have to stop myself from taking the whole bowl.) I don't see why it would be a problem if someone put meat in what is normally a vegetarian dish; it's the way they like to prepare it. Of course, they should let everyone know the variation but having the standard recipe means never getting to try out something new.

I suppose it might be like my cranberry sauce, which I like really tart. I do add sugar but it's minimal so the bright flavor of cranberries, citrus and spices comes through loud and clear. I do tell everyone I share it with that it is tart--and if someone wants to bring the canned sauce to dinner they are welcome to do so; the insistence on keeping the can's ridges intact amuse me--but I love my recipe and wouldn't change it for a potluck.

Hmmm · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2019, 10:21:12 am »

As long as there is a wide variety of dishes everyone can choose from, then I think it's ok because someone can just pick something else.

Potlucks are one big 'you can't satisfy all the people" experience. I don't like green bean casserole so would be very happy to have green beans almondine while someone else would feel disappointed if a green bean casserole weren't present at a holiday potluck. Some people are traditionalists and want a standard Libby's recipe pumpkin pie and would be disappointed if someone brought in a salted pumpkin caramel pie.

Depending on how large the group is, I think it is fine to have multiple versions of a dish. So instead of signing people up for Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, or green beans, I prefer to have people sign up for a "side dish", "appetizer", "bread", or "dessert". For me, potlucks do not need to be a balanced meal as long as there is sufficient variety for everyone to have something they can eat. And normally anyone with a more restricted diet will make sure to bring items that they can eat.

Winterlight · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2019, 10:33:23 am »

I think it's a case of, "you can't please everyone." I do feel like potluck dishes should try to appeal to a reasonable number of people, and should be within the set parameters (if you've agreed to a vegetarian potluck, bringing beef with a bacon wrap is rude), but outside of that, if you want to make a bacon Mac and cheese for Thanksgiving, well, you do you.

kckgirl · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2019, 10:38:39 am »

I think if you want to take mac & cheese, just do it.

Rose Red · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2019, 10:42:44 am »

People bring dishes they like themselves. That's the risk of potlucks. There's always something in every dish that *someone* can't/won't be able to eat. For example, I wouldn't be able to eat any pasta or bread dish (carbs). Others can't/won't eat meat. And that's ok because people shouldn't expect every dish at a potluck to cater to their taste. Potlucks usually have enough dishes for all tastes, even if you can only eat your own contribution!

lowspark · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2019, 11:56:51 am »

That's why it's called pot LUCK. It's the luck of the draw as to what is available. You get to choose from what people chose to bring. Some you will like, some you will not. It's not rude to bring whatever you like as long as it's what you signed up for and as long as there were no restrictions set forth in the initial invitation.

Mac and cheese with bacon is no ruder than mac and cheese with broccoli. And everyone has their own version of what they think is the "standard" for any given dish.

So yeah, you can be as creative or different as you want. And people pick and choose. And depending on how many people are participating, or what the theme is, it's not that big a deal to bring duplicates if you really want to make sure that a certain version of your favorite dish is available.

Me? I like to try all the varieties of food available at a potluck, especially the creative ones. Might discover a new combo I never thought of. And I can eat my own food any time, and probably will, when I go home with the leftovers!

MiriamCatriona · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2019, 05:03:33 pm »

How planned are your potlucks? Did the sign-up sheet already say "baked mac and cheese" and he put his name next to it, was it a blank page, or somewhere in between? If there are known vegetarians, the organizer could put "main dish (meat)", "main dish (vegetarian)", and "main dish (meat or vegetarian)" instead of just "main dish 1[2/3]". Side dishes could also be specified as vegetarian or cook's choice.

It wasn't rude to bring a variation on the dish that included meat, but I understand that it would be frustrating if someone who doesn't eat meat assumed the macaroni was going to be a safe dish. If you know ahead, you can at least plan to bring your own suitable food.

In general, people with dietary needs are best off either bringing something that they could eat as their entire meal or bowing out and not participating in the potluck. (I choose the latter!)

lakey · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2019, 05:35:41 pm »

Quote

the insistence on keeping the can's ridges intact amuse me--but I love my recipe and wouldn't change it for a potluck.

This amused me. I serve two kinds of cranberries, the orange and cranberry relish, and the canned jelly. And, yes, I want that jelly to plop out of the can, holding its shape and having the ridges.
Anyway, in my experience with potlucks, there is always so much food that there are plenty of choices for anyone.

Venus193 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:55:14 pm »

My cranberry sauces are made with Splenda and I cut the sweetness; commercial cranberry sauces are too sweet. I usually make three batches: one plain, one with mandarin oranges, and one with maraschino cherries. For the latter two I add the other fruit after the cran has cooled down.

Pattycake · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:28:33 pm »

Unless the sign up sheet says specifically what you are to bring, down to the contents allowed or not (in which case then it's not really "pot luck", it's just a sign-up dinner) then yes, you bring whatever version you wish to make. Each person will have to look out for their own eating needs.

Runningstar · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:50:36 pm »

Quote from: lakey on November 12, 2019, 05:35:41 pm

Quote
the insistence on keeping the can's ridges intact amuse me--but I love my recipe and wouldn't change it for a potluck.
This amused me. I serve two kinds of cranberries, the orange and cranberry relish, and the canned jelly. And, yes, I want that jelly to plop out of the can, holding its shape and having the ridges.
Anyway, in my experience with potlucks, there is always so much food that there are plenty of choices for anyone.

I have a very old and dainty glass serving dish that was made specifically for the canned cranberry sauce! It has a special serving utensil (which I can no longer find). It was my grandmothers.

Dazi · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2019, 08:25:27 pm »

A person can bring whatever they want to a potluck barring agreeing to bring a specifically made item. They shouldn't get offended if the item is not well received either. Ex: an ex-coworker got peeved when her mac and cheese 1. was not eaten and then 2. dumped in the garbage. The reason? NUTMEG does not freaking belong in mac and cheese. Everybody hated it.

lowspark · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2019, 07:54:40 am »

Quote from: Runningstar on November 12, 2019, 07:50:36 pm

Quote from: lakey on November 12, 2019, 05:35:41 pm
Quote
the insistence on keeping the can's ridges intact amuse me--but I love my recipe and wouldn't change it for a potluck.
This amused me. I serve two kinds of cranberries, the orange and cranberry relish, and the canned jelly. And, yes, I want that jelly to plop out of the can, holding its shape and having the ridges.
Anyway, in my experience with potlucks, there is always so much food that there are plenty of choices for anyone.

I have a very old and dainty glass serving dish that was made specifically for the canned cranberry sauce! It has a special serving utensil (which I can no longer find). It was my grandmothers.

LOL. I love that jellied stuff too! I dunno, it's what we always had when I was growing up. It's perfect for sandwiches the next day. Doesn't leak out like the real stuff does.

I'd love to see that dish Runningstar! Genius!

I like the real stuff too though. Just made some for Friendsgiving last weekend. Easy to make and really good.

lowspark · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2019, 07:56:05 am »

Quote from: Dazi on November 12, 2019, 08:25:27 pm

A person can bring whatever they want to a potluck barring agreeing to bring a specifically made item. They shouldn't get offended if the item is not well received either. Ex: an ex-coworker got peeved when her mac and cheese 1. was not eaten and then 2. dumped in the garbage. The reason? NUTMEG does not freaking belong in mac and cheese. Everybody hated it.

Did they at least allow her the option of taking it home at the end of the day before they threw it away?

Bad Manners and Brimstone

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Author Topic: Thanksgiving Potluck. (Read 3771 times)

SioCat

Thanksgiving Potluck.

Amara

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Hmmm

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Winterlight

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

kckgirl

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Rose Red

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

lowspark

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

MiriamCatriona

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

lakey

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Venus193

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Pattycake

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Runningstar

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

Dazi

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

lowspark

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.

lowspark

Re: Thanksgiving Potluck.