Creative Ideas for Themed Potlucks

Green bean casserole. Macaroni and cheese. Potatoes au gratin. Three bean salad. Jello. If this list of food instantly says "potluck" to you, you are not alone. An invitation to a potluck can summon visions of the same array of food, over and over and over again. This can cause boredom, if not a total lack of appetite.

But, a potluck meal doesn't have to follow a certain time-honored tradition of casseroles, salads, and Jello. Although these dishes can be creative and delicious, sometimes they need a little help, or direction.
That's where a theme comes in. One way to help alleviate the 'same old same old' is by designing a menu that steers away (or sometimes to!) a more interesting twist. Let's take a look at a few ideas for themed potlucks that can help the participants get more creative in their offerings.

Seafood

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Remember, anything goes when it's a themed potluck. That means be prepared to see dishes you might think you know but with a whole new flavor twist. Is macaroni and cheese your favorite dish? Go ahead and bring it, but try a seafood mac and cheese. You can still make your pasta salad, just replace the ham with shrimp. Green bean casserole can always join the theme party with layers of Cajun spiced crawfish.

Or try something totally different and make smoked salmon spread, then make a batch of taquitos using the salmon spread, chopped cucumbers, and green onions. Make fish cakes or clam dip. Let your imagination guide you and turn favorites into something different, or take a totally new turn.

Pizza

You want to really steer clear of the old ideas here and come up with a pizza that is way beyond ordinary. Think of the pizza crust in a totally new way and let it guide you when you choose the ingredients.

You can make hot, cheesy pizzas or cold, fresh fruit and vegetable pizzas. Try making pizzas on different types of crusts - biscuit, phyllo, crescent rolls, or even thinly rolled out chicken cutlets. Make individual pizzas or full size. Start with the 'crust' and build your pizza up from there. Sweet, savory, spicy, gooey, or crunchy - you decide how your pizza is going to WOW the potluck crowd, then do it!

Jello

Why not just give in to the Jello! This is a fun theme for a Friday afternoon event at work or for any group on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Any time when dinner is not needed, but a gathering IS needed, this is a fun theme.
Grab your most outrageous (or most delicious!) Jello recipes and bring them out for all to see, and share.

Kids will love this potluck, too. It makes a good theme for summer camp or even birthday parties. The sky's the limit with this theme. No jello dish is too crazy to enjoy!

There are so many themes to enjoy that a potluck never has to be boring. Try a finger-foods theme, or a blender drink theme, or a healthy diet theme, or a favorite cafeteria food theme.

No matter what you choose, the idea is to spark some creativity by providing a focus, a theme, to get the participants motivated. One thing you can be sure of, it will never be boring!

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

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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!