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Consider nixing the hummus. Photo: pgoyette, Flickr.
The following rules apply no matter what kind of party (potluck, New Year's Eve, birthday, tailgating) or crowd (young, old, football freaks, opera fans). If you can't cook at all, bring good cheese and crackers. That's the universal crowd-pleaser.
Hummus
It seems like such a no-brainer -- who doesn't like dip at parties? But this one has a fatal flaw: garlic. All it takes is one big scoop to render your breath intolerable. Great for family get-togethers, not for swinging singles mixers. How about salsa instead?
Spinach
Savvy daters know to avoid ordering spinach on a date; green flecks never pretty up a smile. So why bring spinach salad or any spinach dish to a party? Creamed spinach, though less likely to lodge itself at gum level, just looks kinda poopy and travels poorly anyway. If you want to bring something green, consider asparagus or artichoke.
Fried Foods
Dishes like calamari, fried artichoke and French fries can be miraculously light, salty and crunchy -- but only if they're served fresh outta the fryer and still hot. Wrap them up for a trip, even a short 15-minute hike, and you have soggy, oily, cold dreck. Fried also screams "bad for you" to many folks. Bring grilled seafood or vegetables instead.
Learn how to skinny up fried fare with healthy chef Devin Alexander.
Soup
Don't even think about this four-letter word. Why? Let us count the reasons: It needs to be kept warm. It requires bowls and spoons for every eater, and that means someone later has to wash these items or, worse, you're using environmentally insensitive disposable dishware. Plus, there's no easy way to taste just a little. And folks will inevitably ask, "What kind of soup is it?" Are you going to label the pot or stand there and explain it to passersby?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cab Sauv is phenomenally popular and delicious, but it's also typically full-bodied and loaded with tannins -- the stuff that makes you pucker. You will almost certainly overwhelm party goers' taste buds with this wine, and thus miss out on the true flavors of many of the dishes served. Don't gamble unless you know that there will be bold meaty foods (like steak or lamb) that can stand up to the wine. Pinot Noir is a better red bet.
James Oliver Cury is the former executive editor of Epicurious.com.
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12-11-2009 @2:49PM Jason said... Call me crazy, but doesn't most good salsa have garlic too?
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12-10-2009 @3:08PM stephanie said... "just looks kinda poopy".
AHAHAHAHAHA!
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12-10-2009 @3:58PM Patrick R said... While I appreciate the point about hummus, it seems weird to suggest salsa as an alternative, since it typically also contains raw onion and garlic.
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12-10-2009 @3:39PM dks64 said... I absolutely agree with everything except hummus. Not all hummus makes your breath reek of garlic. In my experience, the Red Pepper and Pine Nut varieties are okay since other ingredients are mixed in. Hummus is typically safe for dieters, vegans, and people with allergies (peanut, wheat, etc), so that's a plus for parties.
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12-10-2009 @3:47PM eh said... Wait... substitute salsa for hummus because salsa doesn't have garlic or onions? MmmmmKAY!
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12-10-2009 @3:49PM sarah said... doesn't salsa have garlic? mine does.
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12-10-2009 @4:59PM natalie.sztern said... Soup is not a four letter word if you serve it in a hollowed out round russian roll as a soup bowl.
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12-10-2009 @7:01PM Stephanie said... "Hummus is typically safe for ... people with allergies". Except that sesame allergy is up and coming in the "allergy" world. My son has a sesame allergy, and since he was diagnosed (after a severe incident involving hummus), I am always a bit suspect of hummus. Strange because before that I always loved it. I would sub guacamole instead (and not some crazy sour cream or mayo containing variety!!).
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12-10-2009 @8:32PM KC said... Whatever you bring, please consider labelling it with the ingredients for the benefit of those with allergies. Nothing will ruin a party faster than me tasting something with onions or soy in it, which I've found in the darnedest places. One of these days, I expect to find some creative cook has even hidden onions in the chocolate cake! (Where I already have to ask who made it, so I can guess whether it's someone likely to have used soy milk.)
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12-10-2009 @9:29PM KC said... I make my own hummus - no garlic and no tehina (sesame) in it at all. Just a delicious low cal treat!
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12-10-2009 @11:21PM jonx said... uhh... what? Garlic makes your breath smell bad?! Garlic makes your breath smell like garlic AKA delicious! If there's no garlic in it then i don't want to be part of your revolution.
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12-11-2009 @12:38AM Megan said... "How about salsa instead?"
Nah, you'll get a little salsa on your shirt.
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12-11-2009 @1:12AM mary m said... Make something you like... If no one eats it, oh well, leftovers! Self-serving?..Yes, but aren't most party items self-serve?! LOL, Happy Holidays :)
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12-11-2009 @5:19AM ycav4424 said... Soup is OK as long as it is made with marijuana in it.
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12-11-2009 @6:48AM Alex said... Given the amount of fat in hummous I'm interested to know how it is 'safe' for dieters.
TBH, if you're worried about garlic ... I'm worried about your 'swinging singles mixers' ...
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12-11-2009 @10:20AM vfthompson said... So if everyone eats something with garlic or onions, who's to be offended? Hummus is easy to make or buy and can sit out for a good bit without fear. Served with pita or veggies, it sounds pretty healthy to me. Perfect party dish.
I'm more frightened by the methods of making it I'm reading. No garlic or tahini? - that's just ground chickpeas. High fat? - I have a very good recipe that calls for no added oil. Drizzle it on the top, but that is very controllable. Shows everyone has an opinion.
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12-11-2009 @11:47AM momo said... Worst app I have EVER seen: Kiwi topped with french's yellow mustard and half a grape tomato. It was at a potluck. They said they had it in Spain. Something clearly got lost in translation. Worst ... App... Ever...
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12-11-2009 @1:58PM Mary Arulanantham said... So nobody's supposed to smell like garlic? Who comes to your parties? Only Northern Europeans or Eskimos? and guess what--alcohol breath is pretty heinous if you're a tea-totaller. Should alcohol not be served either? Its a party! Lighten up!
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12-11-2009 @3:17PM Jaya said... Nothing says "I didn't put any thought into this at all," as much as bringing chips and salsa. After having one too many salsa redundant parties where multiple people bring it, I've started mentioning not to.
Someone brought fall-off-the bone ribs to my party last week. Usually ribs are a stick in your teeth saucy mess. But she went to great feats to make them tidy and easy to eat. Gone in 60-seconds!
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12-11-2009 @3:10PM Pyrofish said... You don't have to label your soup if everyone is carrying around bowls saying "Oh my god this is good". It'll be gone in no time :-) My chili and gumbo are both huge party hits.
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