Looking for delicious, quick, easy recipes? Look no further. Click here.

In defense of a good potluck


potluck spread
About a week ago, I came across a post on Yahoo's Shine blog called Why I hate a good potluck. In it, the author announces that she isn't a fan of potlucks and proceeds to detail the eight different kinds of potlucks that she's observed over the years and the reasons why she don't like them.

While I believe that everyone has the right to their own opinion, I feel I must speak up in defense of the potluck. I have a deep appreciation for potlucks (or depending on your region of the country, covered dish or church suppers). I see them as opportunities to taste new foods, visit with friends and family, share recipes and generally enjoy the company of your fellow human beings. Sharing food and eating communally is one of the oldest practices known to humanity and too often these days, we isolate ourselves during mealtime, choosing the television or the newspaper over interaction with our fellow diners.


I realize that I'm in a unique position when it comes to potlucks as I've had a more than normal exposure to them over the years. My parents' 1970 wedding was a potluck (not that I was in attendance, but that event made them a legitimate way to cater a large gathering). Growing up, my family attended a weekly Monday night potluck dinner at our Unitarian church. In high school we potlucked our way through play rehearsals and in college my roommates and I hosted many an impromptu communal meal. I feel that potlucks enhance life and should be embraced as a way to spend time with friends and neighbors. As the economy tightens, they are also a viable way to socialize without spending vast amounts of money.

I invite you to embrace the potluck. Why not throw a simple one together this weekend? Invite people over for brunch and ask them to bring a dish (muffins, quiche, orange juice and fruit make a wonderful spread). Sunday afternoon, make a pot of soup and invite a few neighbors over to partake, asking them to bring bread, salad and some little sweet. However you do it, gather together and share some food. Your life will be better for the experience.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tip of the Day

Butterscotch sauce is a rich and buttery treat that makes a great seasonal dessert topper in place of chocolate or whipped cream.

RSS NEWSFEEDS

Slashfood Features


Seasons
Spring (74)
Summer (300)
Fall (218)
Winter (73)
What is it?
Beef (634)
Bread (81)
Candy (518)
Cheese (582)
Chocolate (836)
Comfort Food (802)
Condiments (263)
Dairy (567)
Eggs (316)
Fish (377)
Fruit (1059)
Grains (623)
Herbs (10)
Meat (358)
Nuts/seeds (313)
Organic (5)
Pork (399)
Poultry (454)
Rice (56)
Sandwiches (34)
Shellfish (191)
Soups/Salads (120)
Spices (322)
Sugar (434)
Tea (7)
Vegetables (1401)
Holidays
Christmas (132)
Easter (37)
Halloween (99)
Hanukkah (56)
Memorial Day (15)
Mother's Day (37)
New Year's (41)
Passover (11)
St. Patrick's Day (14)
Thanksgiving (143)
Valentine's Day (50)
News
Food Politics (0)
Bakeries (151)
Books (810)
Business (1277)
Celebrities (238)
Coffee shops (194)
Edible Gifts (39)
Farming (467)
Fast Food (370)
Food News (559)
Health & Medical (872)
How To (1424)
Lists (834)
Magazines (508)
New Products (1588)
Newspapers (1628)
On the Blogs (2520)
Raves & Reviews (1189)
Recipes (2464)
Restaurants (1467)
Science (741)
Site Announcements (186)
Stores & Shopping (1022)
Television/Film (727)
Trends (1436)
Vegetarian/Vegan (95)
Features
Cheese Course (72)
Diary of a Distiller (30)
Dining at Our Desks (8)
Festive Family Feasts (9)
Guilty Pleasures (83)
Quizzes (22)
Raising the Bar (23)
Taste Test (18)
The Hungry Bride (34)
The Skinny Chef (65)
Tinfoil Swan (24)
Tip of the Day (370)
Wild Edibles (22)
X Marks the Spot (1)
Back to School (14)
Cocktail Hour (132)
Cocktail Revolution (0)
Cookbook Spotlight (569)
Cooking Without a Recipe (5)
Culinary Kids (235)
Did you know? (451)
Fall Flavors (135)
Feast Your Eyes (402)
Food Gadgets (485)
Food Oddities (1035)
Food Porn (892)
Food Quest (176)
Foodie Flicks (65)
Frugal Food (95)
Garden Party (28)
Hacking Food (109)
Happy Hour (212)
Head to Tail (44)
In Sixty Seconds (729)
Ingredient Spotlight (60)
Leftovers (53)
Light Food (189)
Liquor Cabinet (186)
Our Bloggers (34)
Pop Food (146)
Pumpkin Day (12)
Real Kitchens (85)
Retro cookery (154)
Slashfood Ate (206)
Slashfood Talks (4)
Slow cooking (55)
Super Size Me (121)
The History of... (72)
What's On Tap? (42)
Wine of the Week (52)
YumSugar (53)
What Time Is It?
Breakfast (757)
Dessert (1366)
Dinner (1388)
Hors D'oeuvres (318)
Lunch (1041)
Snacks (1128)
Where Is It?
America (2660)
Europe (515)
France (178)
Italy (174)
Asia (551)
Australia (158)
British Isles (875)
Caribbean (38)
Central Africa (8)
East Coast (582)
Eastern Europe (45)
Islands (58)
Mediterranean (131)
Mexico (40)
Middle East (63)
Midwest Cities (230)
Midwest Rural (74)
New Zealand (63)
North America (94)
Northern Africa (21)
Northern Europe (66)
South Africa (36)
South America (101)
South Asia (125)
Southern States (302)
West Coast (936)
What are you doing?
Baking (832)
Barbecuing (112)
Boiling (130)
Braising (21)
Broiling (36)
Frying (190)
Grilling (212)
Microwaving (40)
Roasting (104)
Slow cooking (34)
Steaming (45)
Choices
Fairtrade (16)
Artisan Foods (161)
Local Eating (148)
Additives
Artificial Sugars (42)
High-fructose corn syrup (21)
MSG (7)
Trans Fats (58)
Libations
Hot chocolate (27)
Soda (174)
Spirits (424)
Beer (532)
Brandy (13)
Champagne (118)
Cocktails (472)
Coffee (417)
Gin (115)
Juice (126)
Liqueurs (81)
Non-alcoholic (27)
Rum (103)
Teas (185)
Tequila (23)
Vodka (164)
Water (88)
Whisky (119)
Wine (760)
Affairs
Celebrations (107)
Closings (14)
Festivals (87)
Holidays (285)
Openings (50)
Parties (246)
Tastings (163)

RESOURCES

Powered by Blogsmith

Featured Stories

 

Most Commented On (60 days)

Twitter Updates

Updates From

Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Also on AOL