Potluck Recipe: Minty Citrus Sweet Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is always a summer favorite at potlucks! With tons of fresh, juicy fruit in season, it's easy to find the ingredients, and a jiffy to throw together at the last minute. This one combines the fresh, summery flavor of mint with tangy citrus juice and honey for an all natural and healthy dessert treat. You may not even want to take it to the pot luck, but save it for yourself!  :-)

Minty Citrus Sweet Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

Fruit Salad. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup natural honey
1 can (15 oz) pineapple chunks (or fresh)
1 large cantaloupe, cut bite sized pieces (or 2 cups diced watermelon)
3 cups berries (any in season)
2 cups seedless grapes, halved
1 tart apple, washed, cored, diced
1 cup chopped pecans or other nuts

Directions:

• In a large serving bowl, put the mint, lime juice, orange juice, and honey, and whisk until well blended and slightly frothy.
• Add to the bowl the everything EXCEPT the nuts, and stir gently to combine.
• Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Stir again gently before serving, then top with nuts and serve.
• Will serve 8 small portions at a potluck, but can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.

Recipe: Sweet & Savory Berry Salad

This is our second potluck recipe for the week - we shared a classic appetizer recipe on Monday, today we've got a unique and tasty salad, and Friday we'll have a delicious entree.

This salad is delicious, super healthy, and downright beautiful! Use a combination of berries to bump up the color, flavor, and antioxidant power. Instead of a super-sweet fruit salad, this one includes some zesty and tangy flavors to make the sweetness of the berries come alive. If you're worried about how this salad will keep in the fridge, don't worry - there won't be any leftovers! :-)

Sweet & Savory Berry Salad

Ingredients:

1 tiny sweet onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or sweet red)
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
sprinkle raw sugar or drizzle of honey
sprinkle dry mustard
1/4 tsp kosher salt
8 cups combination any fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 to 2 Tbsp raw sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp good olive oil
10 to 12 cups mixed greens for serving
2 to 4 cups crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for serving

Directions:

• Very thinly slice the sweet onion and put in glass bowl. Add to the bowl the apple cider vinegar, sugar or honey, mustard, and salt; stir to combine, then cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit out for 1 hour. Stir the contents once or twice during this time.
• When ready to make salad, drain the onions through a sieve and put onion mixture into a large serving bowl.
• Add to the bowl the berries, mint, sugar, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil and toss gently to combine.
• May be chilled or served at room temperature. 
• To serve place pile of mixed greens on small plate, then spoon on berries, then sprinkle on crumbled cheese (do not mix greens or cheese into salad).
• Will make 10 small servings at a potluck setting.

Recipe: Classic Devilish Eggs

Welcome back! Sorry for the lack of recipes last week; after returning from vacation very late Saturday night, we didn't have enough time to get the recipes posted for the week, so this week, we're sharing 3 great potluck recipes to make up for last week!

Nothing says "potluck" like that old favorite, deviled eggs. Here is a basic recipe that is sure to please, but feel free to get creative and spice it up a little! Add chopped pickles or relish, or garnish with capers for a zesty crunch. Try sprinkling with different spices or herbs such as chili powder, dill, and other garnishes. Make it your own!

This recipe makes 12 deviled egg halves. Boil 12 eggs and double the ingredients for larger gatherings. To keep the eggs from sliding around a platter or plate for serving, cover a platter (with sides) with a layer of dried lentils or other small beans. This makes a pretty presentation and the eggs stay put. You can also nestle them in a bed of lettuce leaves or salad greens.

Classic Devilish Eggs

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6 large eggs
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp sour cream
1/2 tsp white or apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

• Prepare hard-boiled eggs: Place eggs in large saucepan filled with cold water. Be sure the water is well up over the eggs. Bring to a full boil, then remove pot from heat, cover pot, and set timer for 13 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill a bowl with ice and water. When timer goes off, IMMEDIATELY spoon the eggs out into the ice bath and let sit for several minutes until they are cold. Peel eggs by hitting once on the fat end, then rolling around until the shell is entirely cracked. Begin peeling from the fat end down. Rinse and dry the eggs thoroughly.
• Prepare the deviled eggs: Cut the eggs in half lengthwise (from north pole to south pole). Carefully remove the yolks to a bowl, setting the egg whites aside on a platter.
• Into the bowl with the yolks, add the remaining ingredients, mashing together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Spoon the yolk mixture into the hollows in the whites.
• Garnish with fresh dill or parsley sprigs if desired, or sprinkle with paprika. 
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Making Healthier Potluck Choices

Summer is the time for potlucks - after all, who wants to cook a huge meal for a party when it's so nice outside? Whether it's an office potluck or a summer barbecue, potlucks are a great way to share food and fun with family and friends, without having to make it all yourself. It's fun, and takes the load off, so everyone can participate and contribute without being overwhelmed.

However, to someone watching their diet, the words "You're invited to a potluck!" can be a bit disheartening. Sure, you can bring a healthy dish to pass that meets your needs, but enjoying other offerings may be hit and miss - and of course you want to bring something that other people will enjoy as well!

Let's take a look at how we can put a healthier spin on some old potluck favorites. Perhaps you'll even inspire others to follow suit and create healthier alternatives, too.

Cream Of Soup Casseroles

Image courtesy of Apolonia at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Opening up a can or two or three of 'cream of' soup is a handy way to get a casserole dish made in a hurry. There is no denying the convenience, but when it comes to creating a dish to pass that is healthier, you might want to rethink this ingredient.

A can of 'cream of anything soup' is basically a thick white sauce with flavorings. It's very simple to make a white sauce and almost as fast as gathering and opening cans of soup. Put equal parts flour and oil (or butter) in a saucepan and stir over low heat. When the flour has turned a light yellow in color, slowly start adding milk or broth, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Now add garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings you wish. If you want to mimic cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of asparagus, etc, just saute the vegetables until soft in another skillet and add to the white sauce. Voila! You have homemade cream of soup without all the additives, extra salt, or even sugar.

Pasta Salads

These big bowls of pasta are definitely on the top of the list of comfort foods found on a potluck table. Pasta swimming in mayonnaise dressing is a guilty pleasure for many of us. Creating a healthier alternative isn't too tricky when you substitute just a few new ingredients for the old standards.

Heavy mayonnaise or bottled Ranch style dressings can be swapped out for lighter fare made with yogurt liberally flavored with lots of herbs and seasonings. You can also skip the creamy texture entirely and use an olive oil-based dressing for even more healthy benefits. Use whole wheat pasta and double up on the veggies in the salad. Toss in garbanzo beans, black beans, or cannellini beans for lots of protein and to make the pasta salad more filling, with fewer carbs.

Desserts

Gooey bars and creamy rich cakes are pretty standard offerings at most potlucks. It's hard to resist having a sweet treat when so many are lavishly displayed right there in front of you! But, it's possible to create a healthier dessert, too.

Many folks would agree that to have a truly satisfying dessert, one must indulge in chocolate. But, skip the double-double layers of chocolate frosted chocolate cake. Instead, try your hand at making chocolate coated nuts. It's as simple as melting chocolate morsels in a double boiler, then drizzling over nuts and stirring together. Nuts and chocolate both are satisfying, filling, and have health benefits. No one will miss a slab of fatty cake on their plate when they have a handful of deliciously sweet and crunchy chocolate covered nuts to nibble on.

The next time you are invited to a potluck, don't worry; your new healthy eating habits won't have to suffer. Join forces with fellow potluck attendees who also are enjoying a healthier lifestyle, then put together simple recipes that tweak some of your favorite dishes to pass. You may just start a whole new trend in your office, church, or family - the healthy potluck!