Potlucks are one of our favorite holiday traditions. Plenty of friends and family, chock-full of delicious food, and plenty of laughter and conversation, they bring so much to the table.
However, cooking for a crowd can be daunting this time of year, when so much time already seems to be spent in the kitchen. Plus, after Thanksgiving, and the many other holiday celebration at this time of year, your body may be craving something more nourishing than some of the typical holiday fare.
That’s where the magic of heritage cooking comes in! Not only are heritage dishes delicious, but you’ll walk away from your plate feeling good. In addition, because there are so many different flavor combinations open to you, you’re sure to find recipes that make use of ingredients you already have:
Starters
Mexican Bean Dip: Creamy, delicious and chock-full of nutrients, this is the perfect potluck-sized, easy appetizer.
Figs Stuffed with Blue Cheese: Wow your friends and family with this impressive-looking, festive appetizer that is surprisingly simple to pull together.
Olive Crostini: Just put your ingredients into a food processor and blend! These are so easy, you could even make up a batch while another dish cooks.
Cornmeal-Crusted Okra Bites: This healthy spin on the breaded and fried okra popular in the Deep South will always be a crowd-pleaser, especially with the smoky flavor that kids and adults alike will love.
Herbed Quinoa Cakes: Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these little patties will quickly become a favorite. Serve them as an appetizer or even as a salad over a bed of baby greens and whatever other vegetables you have on hand.
Soups, Salads, Sides
Oldways Sweet Potato Peanut Stew (Mafe): Mafe, or groundnut stew, is common throughout West and Central Africa. This traditional stew can include meat, vegetables, or seafood, and it is always based on a savory sauce made from peanut butter and tomatoes. Sweet potato also happens to be one of our favorite comforting winter ingredients.
Black Bean Bulgur Orange Salad: Prepare this salad quickly using any kind of leftover grain. The orange, wine vinegar, and hearty chew from the grain and beans make it a satisfying winter dish.
Cashew Quinoa: Quinoa is native to South America and is known as a “perfect protein,” meaning it has all of the essential amino acids our bodies need. Cashews, another South American favorite, turn plain cooked quinoa into a heartier and even more flavorful side dish.
Flash-Cooked Dandelion Greens: Quick, easy, bold and peppery, this recipe makes for a mouthwatering side dish in less than five minutes. The secrets to its flavor are to slightly caramelize the onions and green pepper, and to withhold the garlic until the second half of cooking, leaving it somewhat fresh, to get the greens really garlicky.
Kale Salad with Sautéed Apples, Caramelized Onions and Cardamon Dressing: Cardamom is a complex spice that you will find within African heritage cuisine. It pairs particularly well with the fresh, light crispness of apple in this vibrant take on a kale salad.
Entrees
Greek-Style Vegetarian Lasagna: Lasagna is a classic potluck dish for a reason, and feta cheese, oregano, zucchini, and kalamata olives are traditional Greek ingredients that work wonderfully in this one. Plus, if you do have any leftovers, they freeze beautifully!
Brown Rice Jambalaya with Chicken: Jambalaya is a one-pot meal that traces its roots to the West African dish, Jollof Rice. Our version uses chicken, brown rice and lots of spices.
Sirloin Ribbons: This dish is wonderfully simple and versatile, sure to pair well with other potluck dishes. Plus, it’s a quick-cooking recipe that you can prepare ahead of time and cook just before sitting down to eat.
Lentil Curry Stew: This hearty vegetarian stew calls for Kabocha squash, a sweet winter squash of Japanese origin. It’s the perfect warming recipe for a winter potluck.
Desserts
Blue Cheese and Pistachio-Stuffed Strawberries: We clearly can’t get enough of blue cheese in the winter! Try these delicious sweet and savory strawberries for a dessert your stomach and palate will thank you for.
Whole Grain Berry Cake: The King Arthur Flour Company shared this wonderful recipe with us. They served the cake as a trifle, using vanilla yogurt, but we adapted the recipe to use firmer Greek yogurt to create a dessert inspired by strawberry shortcake.
Sweet Potato Pumpkin Seed Casserole: Here’s a great addition to a holiday meal or a simple weeknight supper. The sweet potatoes in this dish are accented with spices, citrus, apricots, maple, and the crunch of pumpkin seeds. You can also substitute pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios.
Black Olive Cake: Black olives aren’t just for savory dishes; they can also add richness to desserts as well. Surprise your guests with this fragrant and delicious spice cake, which is further enhanced with the nutty flavor of whole wheat flour.
Remember that at the base of every heritage diet pyramid is the idea of spending time with loved ones. Try these heritage diet dishes (or search our recipe database!), perfect for potlucks, so you can enjoy your holiday gatherings and nourish your body while doing so.
Leave a comment