Feb
2012
www.cindyshomedecor.com
www.cindyshomedecor.com
1
Potluck’s Back–Let’s Eat!
Photo credit: www.MobileBayMag.com
Call it a sign of the times or just plain good luck for those of us yearning to swap fast food fare for some tasty home cooking. Potluck gatherings are back and one of this year’s hottest trends in entertaining.
Although these communal “luck of the pot” meals (where everyone brings their favorite dish) hearken back to the late 19th century, they found their footing in the mid-1950′s when it seemed like every mom in the neighborhood was filling casserole dishes for church socials and family get-togethers.
“There are three primary reasons driving the the return of potluck–our schedules, the economy and childhood memories,” says Chef Jeff Gillis, www.CelebratingHome.com. “We live such fast-paced lives that divvying up the cooking makes home entertaining more realistic than putting all of the burden on the hostess. Making one dish instead of several also helps stretch the budget–something we’re all looking to do these days. And, let’s face it–after years of dashing through the drive-thru, wouldn’t you like to sit down to some home-cooked food, even if it’s only once a week?”
Photo credit: Everyday Crafty Goodness, www.Flickr.com
Got potluck fever but not a clue what to do? Here are four tips that’ll make your next gathering both tasty and stylish, plus, a family-fave recipe that’ll put your home on the map as potluck heaven.
1–Organize Participants
Divide the meal by categories so guests will have a balance of appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts from which to choose. Cooks needn’t commit to a specific recipe but it’s helpful to know up-front that a well-rounded meal is in the making.
2–Agree on Advance Prep
All dishes should be cooked prior to arrival so only a quick re-heating is required. Everything should also hit your doorstep ready for presentation to avoid last minute searches for serving bowls and platters.
3–Choose Easy-Fix, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes
To appeal to guests varying tastes, save the exotic for later and dust off mom’s (or grandma’s) cookbook. Traditional potluck dishes like casseroles, chili, soup, bread and cakes are always popular and easy to make.
4–Dress Up the Table
Remember the special tablecloth mom used for Sunday dinner? Create some memories for your own family with a pretty fabric tablecloth, cloth napkins (pretty and eco-friendly!) and some candles. A few minutes is all it takes to create a festive look that’ll make guests feel honored to have gathered around your table.
A slow cooker like our Venetian Home Spice bean pot (shown here filled with yummy bean pot stew from our exclusive recipe below) is potluck perfect. It’s sized to feed a crowd and to go from kitchen to table without missing a stylish beat.
Celebrating Home’s Bean Pot Beef Stew
This twist on an American favorite yields a hearty, flavorful entree that takes less prep time because it slow cooks in the oven in a bean pot.
Ingredients:
1 pound round steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
6 cups beef broth (or stock)
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
3 bay leaves
2 cups potatoes, cubed
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Rub steak with olive oil and coat with salt and pepper.
Let steak sit at room temperature in bean pot while preparing
All other vegetables. Chop and dice everything, then add to
Bean pot. Add beef broth (or stock), thyme, bay leaves,
Diced tomatoes and salt and pepper. Cover and bake
in 375 degree oven for 3-4 hours until meat is tender.
•Recipe courtesy of www.CelebratingHome.com
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