Category Archives: potluck food

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

. Asia, picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides .

rainbow quinoa salad
Quinoa is a complete protein: that is, it contains all the amino acids. It’s also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s gluten free – a miracle food, right? Add edamame and veggies, and you have a nourishing, colorful, fun summer salad! The dressing is an Asian style mixup, tangy and a bit sweet – a perfect blend of flavors to accompany all of those veggies.

It may take some effort to cut up all the veggies, but to save some time you could check your favorite grocery produce department for pre-chopped peppers and cabbage and the freezer aisle for pre-shelled edamame. This recipe makes enough to feed a party or take to a potluck!

2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 cup edamame
1 cup red cabbage, thin sliced
chopped, fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley

Dressing:
3 Tbs. olive oil
3 Tbs. rice vinegar (unseasoned)
2 tsp. tamari
1 Tbs. agave nectar
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 tsp. ginger root, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

In a large bowl, mix cooled quinoa with the veggies. Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour dressing over the quinoa and veggie mixture. Mix well. Garnish with parsley.

Mediterranean Rice Salad

. picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides . , ,

Mediterranean rice salad
The secret to this flavorful salad is mixing the raw spinach leaves with the hot rice – the steaming rice sort of blanches the spinach leaves. They become brighter and more tender and are able to retain their flavor and nutritional value. Cut up all veggies while the rice is cooking because you’ll need the spinach leaves to be ready immediately after the rice is done cooking.

1 cup long-grain rice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives

Cook rice according to directions.

In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.

Add cooked rice to dressing and mix well. Add spinach, mix, and let stand for about 15-20 minutes, until rice has cooled a bit.

Add remaining ingredients and blend.

boulder slaw

. picnic food, potluck food, salads, USA . , , ,

boulder_slaw
What can we say about a beautiful, colorful, nutrient-filled dish that takes after its namesake (well, at least the beautiful, colorful parts)?  This salad starts with a coleslaw base, but you can add everything you like and can only make it better! It’s so flavorful, you don’t need any fancy spices.  When you see the bright colors and taste the sweet-sour dressing, you’ll be bowled over by Boulder Slaw!

Start with a coleslaw base:

shredded green and red cabbage and shredded carrots (you can use a prepared coleslaw pack, if you like)

Add:

Lots more shredded or matchstick-cut carrots
Broccoli florets, blanched 30 seconds and cut very small
Red and green bell peppers, diced
Red or sweet yellow onion, diced
½ cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped fine

Also, you could try one or two of these ingredients:

Finely chopped apples
Dried cranberries or raisins
Pineapple pieces or crushed pineapple, drained
Finely chopped mushrooms

Dressing:

½ cup sugar
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup water
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
Dash of black pepper
Dash of red (cayenne) pepper
1 tsp. celery seed

classic potato salad

. Europe, picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides .

potato_salad
This is a vegan variation of my mother’s potato salad recipe, which was always very much in demand.

1 cup vegan mayonnaise (Spectrum makes a tasty one)
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cane sugar
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup mild onion
5-6 medium Yukon Gold or red potatoes

Slice potatoes in half and place in a pot of boiling water. Boil until potatoes are tender but not mushy. Cool slightly; peel and slice into cubes.

In a large bowl, stir together the first five ingredients. Add celery, onions, and potatoes; stir gently to coat. Chill. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and a parsley sprig.

southern-fried tofu

. entrees, potluck food, USA . , ,

Rumor has it that southern-fried tofu will steal the show at a potluck. Try it and see for yourself. We credit Stephanie Tidwell, who hails from the South herself, for this recipe.

1 lb. firm tofu (Stephanie recommends White Wave Tidal Wave)

marinade:
1/3 cup tamari or shoyu soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin or sherry
Splash of balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Splash of sesame oil
1 Tbs. chicken-flavored broth (meatless) (look in the bulk foods department of your natural foods store)

breading:
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup nutritional yeast

Canola oil for frying

1. Cut tofu into slabs or strips. Mix all marinade ingredients; marinate tofu for at least 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, mix breading ingredients. In a deep pan, heat oil (test by dropping a tiny piece of tofu into the oil—if it sizzles, it’s ready). Coat tofu slabs with breading mix and fry in oil until golden brown on all sides. (For a healthier version, lightly grease a pan and bake breaded tofu slabs in a 350° oven. Turn once after about 25 minutes and bake for another 15 or 20 minutes.)

mediterranean pasta salad

. Europe, picnic food, potluck food, salads . , , ,

2 cups tricolor fusilli or rotini pasta
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
2 Tbs. Italian flat-leaf parsley
3 Tbs. fresh basil, chopped

Cook pasta; drain and cool. Combine with chopped vegetables and herbs. Toss with your favorite oil and vinegar dressing (we like Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette).

southwestern veggie salad

. Mexico/Central America, picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides . , , ,

Southwestern Veggie Salad is a colorful side dish that’s perfect for a potluck or any occasion that calls for a quick recipe. You’ll make this salad again and again.

1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 medium Vidalia or red onion, finely diced
1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley or cilantro, chopped
1 15-oz. can corn, drained
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained
1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup picante sauce

Mix all ingredients together and chill. That’s it!

24-hour salad

. picnic food, potluck food, salads, USA . , , , , , ,

This recipe can be served as a vegetable salad or as a pasta salad. It’s called 24-hour salad because the ingredients can be marinated in an oil-and-vinegar or Italian salad dressing for 24 hours. Or skip the marinade, toss all the ingredients with fresh-cooked pasta, and serve as a pasta salad. Either way, it’s delicious!

12 to 15 fresh mushrooms, halved
3-4 green onions, chopped
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 green pepper, sliced thin
2 large tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 14-oz. can whole pitted black olives, drained
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing

As a vegetable salad: In a large, deep, glass bowl, layer the first seven ingredients in the order given. Add 1/2 tsp. salt to the dressing, pour over veggies, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Toss and serve.

As a pasta salad: Boil 2 cups of your favorite pasta shapes until done. Drain and add to large bowl with all of the above ingredients. Mix and serve.

monika’s sesame noodles

. Asia, picnic food, potluck food, sides . , ,

Take these tasty sesame noodles to your next office potluck or picnic and treat your friends to a taste of the Far East. They’re delicious and easy to make.

16 oz. udon noodles (use linguine if you can’t find udon)
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
2 Tbs. sesame seeds

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Pour over the cooked pasta; toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

tabbouli salad

. Middle East, picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides . , , , , , ,

Tabbouli, tabbuli, tabouleh: how many ways can you spell the name of this crunchy, nutritious salad? It’s a refreshing yet filling dish that’s especially good in the summer.

Tabbouli salad’s main ingredient is bulgur (cracked) wheat. To prepare bulgur wheat for the salad, measure 1 cup bulgur into a bowl, and then pour 1 cup warm water over it and let stand for 30 minutes. Yields 2 cups.

2 cups presoaked bulgur
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup green onions, chopped
2 cups fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/3 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
Salt to taste (try 1/4 tsp.)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
Fresh ground black pepper

1. Mix first seven ingredients together (bulgur through salt), and then add fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine.

2. Refrigerate ingredients for about an hour. When ready to serve, add olive oil and black pepper. Mix well.

Notes: Fresh ingredients are absolutely necessary for good tabbouli. A large lemon usually nets 1/4 cup of juice. A large bunch of fresh parsley can yield 1, 2, or 3 cups chopped; use as much as you want. Cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil is best for salads, and although mint leaves add a unique flavor, they can be omitted in a pinch (sometimes it’s hard to find fresh mint). Cooking is an art, not a science, so have fun and experiment!

michelle’s spring rolls

. appetizers, Asia, entrees, potluck food . , , , , , ,

Michelle, mother of five and a great vegan cook, submitted this recipe. You can set out the ingredients and let your guests make their own spring rolls.

2 oz. dried bean thread noodles or rice thread noodles
1 cucumber, peeled and cut in half lengthwise
12 large rice-paper wrappers (8-inch round or larger)
2 cups baby spinach leaves (or other hardy greens such as kale or romaine lettuce), cut in thin strips
1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks
8 oz. baked, seasoned tofu, cut into 1/4-inch sticks
12 fresh basil or mint leaves
Peanut sauce for dipping

1. Place the noodles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 5 minutes or until softened. Drain well and set aside.

2. Remove and discard the seeds in the cucumber by scraping a spoon on the center of each piece. Cut each piece into thin strips.

3. Fill a large bowl (at least several inches larger than the rice wrappers) with warm water. Soak one wrapper until soft and pliable, 20-30 seconds. Remove the rice wrapper from the water and lay flat on a counter or cutting board. Place 1-2 tablespoons of spinach leaves along one edge of the wrapper. Place an equal amount of noodles over the spinach. Top with 1 tablespoon of carrot matchsticks, several pieces of cucumber and tofu, and a basil or mint leaf.

4. Roll the wrapper, starting with the filling side, folding the ends over the filling as you roll and forming a tight cylinder. Serve with small bowls of peanut sauce for dipping.

indonesian rice salad

. Asia, potluck food, salads, sides . , , , , , , ,

Sue worked hard this week to create the Asian-inspired dressing for this salad, a perfectly blended balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and tart flavors, with none overpowering the other. Her husband loves it.

dressing:
2/3 cup orange juice
3 Tbs. peanut oil
1 Tbs. sesame oil
3 Tbs. tamari
2 Tbs. lemon juice
2 Tbs. dry white wine
1 tsp. sugar or agave nectar
1/4 tsp. garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of white pepper

salad:
2 cups cooked rice
Small bunch of green onions
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
1/2 medium zucchini, julienne sliced
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup cashew halves
1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, sliced
1/3 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1. Place dressing ingredients into small mixing bowl and mix well with wire whisk.

2. Slice green onion bunch in half, and discard dark green half. Chop onions and place in large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and set aside.

3. Pour dressing over salad ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate.

mom’s sweet & sour pepper slaw

. picnic food, potluck food, salads, sides, USA . , ,

dressing:
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt

slaw:
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup jalapeño pepper, minced
6 cups coleslaw

1. Place dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Stir with a whisk and set aside.

2. Combine slaw ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour dressing over slaw, tossing to coat.