8 Portable Dishes to Bring to a Thanksgiving Potluck

culled from:http://www.epicurious.com

 

 

Thanksgiving potlucks are awesome for many reasons. First of all, it takes all the pressure off of one person to cook the entire feast. It also triggers a whole lot of holiday cheer, as folks trade compliments on each other's dishes and watch smugly as they disappear. There are really only three cardinal rules when bringing food to a potluck: Always check with the host to make sure you're not going to be the fifth person to bring kale salad, and always bring food in its own serving dish, and avoid recipes that require lots of last-minute prep. You've probably already heard the one about too many cooks, right?
Here are 8 of our favorite make-ahead potluck dishes, ranging from appetizers to the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert. Read on for recipes

1. Feta with Sumac and Black Sesame Seeds
Appetizers are very important on Thanksgiving, especially because guests tend to crowd around the kitchen clamoring for food before the meal is actually done. Give people something to snack on with this Middle Eastern-Inspired feta dip. Make it in advance at serve it at room temperature. You want the cheese to be soft enough to scoop onto the crackers.

2.Crudités Vegetables with Remoulade Sauce
A platter of raw vegetables to share is the perfect way to warm up to the Thanksgiving meal. They're impossible to fill up on, and a great way to show off seasonal produce. Just pick the vegetables that look fresh and enticing, and you'll create a guest-worthy platter

3.Butternut Squash Tart with Fried Sage
Quick savory tarts are completely possible, thanks to the magic that is frozen puff pastry. This one gets topped with super-seasonal butternut squash, Parmesan, and a secret ingredient that will have everyone licking their lips with delight -- homemade spicy honey!

4. Brussels Sprout Salad wth Szechuan Peppercorn and Celery
This crunchy, Asian-inspired side is full of punchy flavors and will liven up any Thanksgiving table. It also travels really well; just bring the dressing in a separate container and toss it into the salad before serving.

5.Real Creamed Corn Pudding
 Who doesn't love corn pudding? It tastes amazing hot, at room temperature, and even cold (I've been known to devour leftovers straight from the fridge). And corn was probably served at the first Thanksgiving, too.

6.Cranberry-Orange Relish with Mint
Take the cranberry duties off of your host's plate, and bring this relish to the table. Think of it like a raw version of cranberry sauce, one with loads of tangy and refreshing chopped mint and fresh ginger. The earlier you make it ahead of time, the more flavorful it will be.

7.Kale Salad with Dates, Parmesan, and Almonds
Everyone can appreciate a kale salad, especially when it's chock full of nuts, cheese, and sweet dates. You can dress the kale a full day before you serve this dish, so the leaves become tender and the flavors have time to meld. Add the rest of the ingredients on top of the kale when you pack it up, and them all you need to do when you arrive is toss and serve.

8.Brown-Butter Pecan Pie with Rum and Espresso
Be the person who brings the pie to the dinner, and everyone is going to fall in love with you. Especially when that pie is of the pecan, rum, and espresso variety and looks as gorgeous as this one does. Just be sure to pre-cut it into thin wedges so everyone gets a taste.