Crowd-Pleasing Holiday Potluck Ideas

(StatePoint) Indulging in delicious food is one of the best parts of the holidays, and you'll likely be in constant need of something tasty to take along to all those holiday potlucks.

To be ready for any invitation, keep ingredients for your favorite recipes on-hand and use multipurpose kitchen tools, like a high-performance blender, to expedite prep time, quickly chop veggies or cheese, and blend everything from dips and batters to dressings and sauces.

Not sure what to make for your next potluck? Here are some simple, crowd-pleasing recipes.

Appetizers

Small-bite hors d'oeuvres are perfect potluck fare. Dips or spreads served with veggies and chips are quick to make and travel easily. Try a cashew French onion dip for a non-dairy version of the traditional favorite. Be sure to soak the cashews ahead of time to achieve a super-smooth texture. If you're able to keep food warm, a hearty spinach artichoke dip with pita bread will satisfy guests' cravings for comfort foods. Or, take a new twist on a conventional recipe with a cauliflower hummus. It's extra creamy and has an added boost of veggies from the addition of roasted cauliflower.

Side Dishes

Casseroles will feed a crowd and most can be served at room temperature. Made with russet potatoes and onions, a cheesy potato casserole with cornflake topping won't last long at any gathering. It's a satisfying substitute for traditional hash browns at brunch, and is great for all ages. Alternately, a vegetarian butternut squash casserole is a light, sweet complement to heavier potluck fare. Or, if you're short on ingredients or inspiration, a frittata filled with cheese, veggies and protein (whatever you have on hand) will work. Bake or slow cook the frittata the night before and add a quick sprinkle of herbs or chives before packing it to go.

Desserts

If you have a sweet tooth, it only makes sense to volunteer to bring your favorite dessert. Save time by using a high-performance blender like the Vitamix A2300 Ascent Series blender to mix batter in advance for a big batch of almond cookies or snickerdoodles. If baking for a cookie exchange or large gathering, start early and freeze the cookies until party day. Cakes, pumpkin and apple pies are also easy to make ahead and freeze. Simply wrap a freshly baked, cooled cake or pie in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Before an event, defrost in the bag at room temperature.

If your dish has multiple components, separate warm and cold items during transport and use insulated carriers to maintain optimal temperatures. Make something that doesn't require a ton of prep time and equipment once you arrive, unless you've asked the host in advance. Bring trivets or serving utensils, if needed, and don't assume the host will have extras.

Don't get caught unprepared this holiday party season. The right ingredients and tools will make you a hit at any potluck, even at a moment's notice.

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