Summer Potluck Favorites
Despite the seasonally cold and rainy weather that has swept across the majority of the US over the last few days, the beginning of summer is approaching in all its three-day-weekend glory. I love the bookends that Memorial Day and Labor Day offer to summer: for many, they mark the first and last travel weekends, family weekends and most significantly, cookout and potluck weekends of this productive season.
I always look forward to summer potlucks. As someone who hates to eat just one thing for dinner, the wide array of casserole dishes, salad bowls, and serving platters squashed together on an eight-foot table is a favorite sight of mine. I also relish the chance to pull out a few of my favorite recipes that are either too large or too high-calorie to cook for our two-person household. I imagine you have a few of these recipes of your own.
But if you don’t, or if you’re looking for something new to bring to any festivities you may have planned for the weekend, I dug through the archives for my favorite summer dishes that make for good sharing.
While I first learned to make this salad as a light, fresh foil to rich and heavy holiday menus, I find it really shines at summer cookouts and potlucks. It does take some time to prep as all the ingredients must be chopped and layered, but this can be done a day in advance. By adding the dressing immediately before serving, the result is a textured, satisfyingly crunchy salad that you cohorts will love. It’s almost a sure bet that your salad bowl will come home with you completely empty.
This dip is easily one of my favorite culinary discoveries. Piles of onions are caramelized down to the soft, sugary, sultry versions of themselves. Then, mixed into Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, a delectable ambrosia emerges. I make this exclusively parties and potlucks: it’s not particularly high-calorie on its own, the thick-cut potato chips are a different story. Spread the calorie love!
Strawberry Rhubarb & Goat Cheese Toasts
‘Tis the season for strawberries and rhubarb! And it’s ALWAYS the season for goat cheese and toasty bread. Give your party-goers a little DIY fun with these easy toasts.
Lemon Cookies with Blackberry Buttercream
There’s nothing like blackberries to jazz up buttercream icing and make a splash. Especially on top of soft, chewy lemon cookies.
Okay, you probably won’t bring these finished dogs to your Memorial Day cookout. But I highly encourage you to bring all the toppings and add them to the first hot dog you see. It may become your new favorite dog.
Seriously, what party is complete without them?
Another favorite dip. I suspect I make dips for parties because I have an uncontrollable urge to eat them if they are around, so it’s safest if there are other dip-aholics around who can eat alongside me. This one is a Chipotle-esque guac, and it’s just divine.
Looking for more? Check out the Party Food archive for year-round suggestions!
Happy Memorial Day! What are your favorite dishes to share at a summer cookout?
