When attending a potluck lunch or dinner, you have no control over what foods the other people bring. However, you can control the dish you bring. In addition to ensuring you have a healthy choice for yourself, bringing a healthy potluck dish can introduce your friends, family and coworkers to healthier versions of classic potluck dishes.
Salad Selections
You can easily make a healthy green, pasta or fruit salad for your next potluck event. Make the traditional Caesar salad healthier by dressing two cut heads of romaine lettuce with a homemade dressing. Use lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce, 1 to 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped garlic. Add a few walnuts, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss together. Purchase cut fruit and serve with a bowl of Greek strawberry-flavored yogurt as a dip. Macaroni salad often contains large amounts of fattening mayonnaise. Toss cooked macaroni with diced celery, sliced cucumber, two chopped, boiled egg whites, celery stalks and 4 oz. of plain Greek yogurt for a healthier version.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Corn casseroles, saucy broccoli-cheese dishes and fried onion-topped green bean casseroles are often standard fare at a potluck event. Microwave small-sized corn on the cob pieces and bring to the dinner wrapped in foil to preserve the warmth. Bake small potatoes in the microwave, cut into bite-sized pieces and toss with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 to 2 tbsp. of rosemary. Make creamed corn healthier by adding 1 cup of skim milk, 1 tbsp. of cilantro and some lime or lemon juice. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the corn is bubbly and the milk is reduced by half. Bring a steamed vegetable medley of broccoli, carrots, green beans and corn.
Fast and Healthy Main Dishes
Bean and meat main dishes add substance to the potluck dinner. Delight both kids and adults by bringing chicken strips and a healthy honey mustard sauce to the event. Quickly coat raw chicken strips in milk, remove and roll in a mixture of 1/4 cup flour, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Cook the chicken in a hot pan with 1 to 2 tsp. of canola or olive oil until crispy. Mix real honey and Dijon mustard together for the sauce. Make a crockpot of black beans seasoned with onions, green peppers, petite diced tomatoes and garlic. Serve over quick-cooking rice.
Easy Dessert Options
Desserts sometimes occupy a prominent place on the potluck table. Add a healthy dessert option or two to give the participants a different choice. Slice apples, sprinkle with lemon juice to avoid browning and sprinkle with a mixture of 1 tbsp. cinnamon and 1 to 2 tsp. white sugar. Arrange on a large plate. Make a fruit pizza by baking low-fat canned pizza dough on a pizza pan until crisp. Mix 8 oz. of fat-free cream cheese with 1/8 cup of sugar. Spread the mixture on the cooled crust. Arrange sliced strawberries, kiwis and bananas over the crust. Cut into wedges and take to the potluck.
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