So, I got invited to a potluck last weekend, and you know I can’t just show up with a bag of chips. I wanted to bring something homemade, something that says, “I put in some effort,” but also, something that wouldn’t take me all day to make. After flipping through some cookbooks and browsing online, I decided to focus on Italian dishes. They’re usually crowd-pleasers, right?
I started with the classic Caprese Salad Skewers. It’s so simple, yet it looks fancy. First, I grabbed some cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls (the small ones, ciliegine), and fresh basil leaves. Then, I washed everything and started assembling the skewers. One tomato, one mozzarella ball, and one basil leaf, repeated until the skewer was full. For the dressing, I just whisked together some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Super easy! I arranged the skewers on a nice platter and drizzled the dressing over them right before leaving for the party.
Pasta Salad
Next, I moved on to a Pasta Salad. I boiled some rotini pasta until it was al dente, then rinsed it with cold water to stop the cooking. While the pasta was cooling, I chopped up some red onion, bell peppers (I used red and yellow for color), black olives, and salami. Once the pasta was cool enough, I tossed it with the chopped veggies and salami, then added some Italian dressing. You can find this stuff at any grocery store. I also threw in some grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. I covered the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours. This allows all the flavors to mingle and get to know each other.
Bruschetta
Finally, I decided to make some Bruschetta. I sliced a baguette into 1-inch thick rounds and brushed them with a little olive oil. Then I popped them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes, just until they were lightly golden and crispy. While the bread was toasting, I diced some tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. I mixed these together in a bowl with some chopped fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Once the bread was out of the oven and cooled slightly, I spooned the tomato mixture onto each slice.
- Caprese Salad Skewers were a hit! They were the first to disappear.
- Pasta Salad was devoured. I should’ve made a double batch!
- Bruschetta was also a success. People loved the fresh flavors.
All in all, the potluck was a blast. These three dishes were a good call. They were easy to make, transported well, and most importantly, everyone loved them! I’ll definitely be making these again for future gatherings. Might even try adding some variations next time. Maybe some grilled chicken to the pasta salad, or some pesto to the bruschetta…the possibilities are endless!
