Pot Luck Dinner proportions

[Steve_Cox]

I just make 5 pounds of potato salad and call it a day

Doesn't seem to matter how much there is when it comes to Jim's tater salad, there ain't no left overs. Matter of fact, ya better get there early to get a taste.

[Dennis T]

All the heffers run to the front of the line to pile up. The back may get a taste of the food. Then there are the ones that eat and go for seconds before the line has gone through once. They gravitated to hogs. So how much do you plan for a pot luck?? Ross & Carla had an idea at Raccoon Hollar one year. They made a fire pit, guessing here 3' X 6'. Bring your own main course, steak, hot dogs, hamburgers whatever and cook it there. Make a SMALL side dish to share. When the side is gone, it's gone and nothing to throw away or give to the dogs at home. Even with that concept some people did not understand it. Another thing is, bring your own plates and utinsil's people. What do you think it is a restraunt. Unless you want you food on your lap, bring a small tray because there will not be enough tables to sit at. They are to heavy to lug to the eating place.
Sometime you think, why not just take a collection and order pizza and have it delivered???

Dennis T

[asianflava]

Another thing is, bring your own plates and utinsil's people. What do you think it is a restraunt. Unless you want you food on your lap, bring a small tray because there will not be enough tables to sit at.

I don't remember who we stole the idea from but the cafeteria style trays work great. Big enough to put on your lap and keeps food seperate so you can try out a little bit of several things. It also keeps your sweet food from touching the savory food, I have a problem with that, Bruce can back me up on this.

[CASHCOW]

I agree with Lynn. I have been to potluck dinners where there was NOT enough food. If you are gonna err......it is better to err on the side of TO MUCH> As I came from a long line of church ladies, the rule of thumb was to make a dish that will feed at least your family and two more. Then you dont wind up with so much left overs. Of course, our usual POT LUCK lasted from lunch to Dinner......we at it usually at noon and what ever was left over, wellllllllllll there was always a group still gathered for supper......

For desserts, it depends on the type of dessert you make..... if it is pies, then you make two, cobblers... one at least 8 x8, layered cake....well mom would never be caught without a FOUR layer German Chocolate Cake...you can always divide the "list" up alphabetically and say everyone with the last name beginning with A -F bring so and so.......and so on....... I have found that did not work with a bunch of single people......lol.....

Maybe I aught to right a book.......lol........

[CASHCOW]

Hey Dennis T.........
we have done that alot.....Mike marks each steak or chicken with a bamboo stick with the persons name written on the top of the stick.... they also write HOW they want it cooked ( rare, med..etc) We have found that helps out bunches and everyone gets the meat that they brought.......

Bmc

[jimqpublic]

Bring roughly the volume of food your party will consume plus some. If everybody does this it will be equitable and enough but not too much.

[spinnernut]

its all about what you make for the potluck, sourkrout and sausage you will have a few takers, including me, but you smoke 20 pounds of ribs and chicken in texas while its in the hi 80s, eight trailers, and four enthuisist, and its gone in 20 minutes.

[Joanne]

As you might guess, I always cook too much! I have started to move away from main dishes since there are always plenty of them. I have started doing breads and side dishes. The Herb-Garlic rolls are always gone while the Mexican Corn Bread usually has a few leftovers. (The folks who skip the corn bread are missing out on a real treat. It's really good!)

I enjoy cooking so cooking too much is in my genes! I'm in a culinary class now and we are cooking LARGE quantities of food. I am enjoying the opportunity to cook in a commercial kitchen.

I have yet to attend a gathering where there wasn't more than enough food. I would say that if everyone cooked for the size of their party plus one or two, there would be plenty of food. That said, everyone would not get to try every dish, but there would be enough to feed everyone.

Joanne

[oklahomajewel]

observations....
1 - here among the South Central folks, it seems like we invite the folks in the big rig next to us that asked about the teardrops, or invite the camp hosts if they are friendly, etc to join us for our potluck (we're a friendly bunch!) and sometimes they do and some don't... but when they do , we STILL have plenty.

2- We don't have any "heffers" at the front of the line in our potlucks, or DO breakfasts....

3- We love dogs and personally, I've never seen someone make a plateful for theirs.

Julie

[madjack]

...if you are gonna have something like prime rib, it should come with it's own server to contol portions served so everyone can get some.....
madjack

[caseydog]

At most of our pot lucks it seems like there is too much food but not always the case. I've watch people pile up their plates with enough food to feed a family and then the last table has little or nothing to eat or it's all deserts that are left. One gathering this summer this was so bad (complaints) that the organizer said there won't be a pot luck next year. It would be nice if everyone contributed something and took a conservative amount of food until everyone has had a chance to eat. Also for those who have diet restrictions it would be appreciated if each casserole was labeled with the ingredients to make people aware for those who won't eat meat or certain kinds of meat or nuts. Danny

I tend to take small amounts of food on my first round, and then when everyone has gotten a chance to go through the line, I can go back for seconds if I'm still hungry. That also gives me an opportunity to try a little bit of everyone's cooking. That's part of the fun of a pot luck -- getting to taste what people have made, and ask for recipes for the things that really impress you.

CD

[caseydog]

Another thing is, bring your own plates and utinsil's people. What do you think it is a restraunt. Unless you want you food on your lap, bring a small tray because there will not be enough tables to sit at.

I don't remember who we stole the idea from but the cafeteria style trays work great. Big enough to put on your lap and keeps food seperate so you can try out a little bit of several things. It also keeps your sweet food from touching the savory food, I have a problem with that, Bruce can back me up on this.

Getting BBQ sauce in your banana pudding sux, eh?

CD

[spinnernut]

joanne ; whats in your cornbread thanks

[dmb90260]

After seeing some of the dining equipment at Mendocino and struggling with my wee paper plate, I decided to take affirmative action before showing up for Spamboree. My new plate

[Joanne]

joanne ; whats in your cornbread thanks

I just posted the recipe in the recipes section. You can find it here: http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=258857#258857

You can spice it up with jalapenos or cheddar cheese.

I hope you try it!

Joanne