A potluck meal is a time to share beloved recipes and spend time with loved ones. Many traditional potluck meals, such as scalloped potatoes and creamy salads, are high in fat and have too many calories to be considered healthy. Revamping current recipes and trying new foods can help you contribute to your next potluck meal by providing a nutritious and crowd-pleasing dish.
Minestrone Soup
A large pot of soup is a simple way to contribute to a potluck meal because it is quick to make and easy to transport. In a large soup pot, saute chopped onions and minced garlic in oil until soft. Add finely chopped carrots and celery, and cook for a few minutes more. Pour in low-salt beef broth, low-sodium canned tomatoes and dried oregano. Simmer the soup for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Add canned kidney beans, cooked pasta and chopped bell peppers. Reheat. Allow to cool, cover tightly with a lid and transport to your potluck meal. Bring grated Parmesan cheese as garnish.
Greek Salad
A large salad is another dish that is simple to prepare and easy to take along to your next potluck meal. Combine several types of greens, such as Bibb lettuce, red leaf lettuce and spinach, in a transportable container. Add chopped cherry tomatoes, peeled cucumber and finely chopped red bell pepper. Take along crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives to add just prior to serving. The juice from a fresh lemon and a sprinkle of dried oregano is a nutritious dressing that can replace high-fat versions.
Vegetable Lasagna
A dish of lasagna often gets eaten quickly, and you can prepare a version that is loaded with vegetables to offer a dish that contains fiber and vitamin A. Start by pouring some low-salt tomato sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish. Layer cooked lasagna noodles on top. Spoon on fresh ricotta cheese, sliced mushrooms, chopped bell pepper, finely chopped onion and garlic and sliced eggplant. Create several more layers the same way. Top the lasagna with tomato sauce and part-skim mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Allow to cool, cover and take to your potluck meal.
Shredded Chicken Tacos
Tacos are a common favorite, and you can easily prepare them and pack them along for a potluck. Cook white meat chicken breasts with chopped tomatoes, onion and garlic until no longer pink inside. Shred the chicken and place in a dish that has a lid. Take along flour tortillas, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, grated low-fat cheddar cheese and sliced black olives as accompaniments. Put each ingredient in a separate dish so it is simple to unpack your dish and place it on the potluck table.
References
- "The Everything Potluck Cookbook"; Linda Larsen; 2009
- "Crowd-Pleasing Potluck: 225 Delicious Recipes Guaranteed to Win Rave Reviews"; Francine Halvorsen; 2007
Member Comments