Potluck Don’ts?

Photo from The Kitchn

We get it, you’re busy, and yes, everybody likes Planter’s nut mix, but don’t become known as that person who always brings obviously not-homemade stuff to potlucks.

If it should happen that you and another potlucker bring the same dish, in the name of sweet fried onions don’t wage a war of subterfuge against your rival. “I once took my famous hot artichoke dip to a potluck, and another person had made the same dip,” an anonymous potlucker told us. “Both were set out and her husband was loving mine (I’d spiced it up with dill and lemon juice). When he went to help his wife with drinks, she absolutely must have told him to stop eating mine—and told the rest of her family, too—because after that he didn’t go near mine and neither did their kids!”

It is rude to pick out specific food out of a dish. example, picking out all the shrimp. And, making a to go plate before the function is over is just tacky.

So… my guest brings her whole family of 10! AND they brought an EXPIRED cake from Walmart to add to the potluck table!!! Thank the good Lord there wasn’t 15.

Had someone (over the age of 30) turn up with a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken. Cold. He’d gotten “an extra bucket at dinner yesterday especially for the party”, and kept it in the fridge overnight.

Bringing a dish/dessert with one serving already missing! “I had to give hubby/my mom/my friend a taste first!”

Unidentifiable food is present. If you have to explain your dish, don’t bring it.

A stampede is caused by someone shouting, “Oh look Twinkies and SpaghettiO’s!” Why is it that the store bought stuff is more popular than my homemade Dulce de Leche Pie?

There are people in line with their plates heaped high looking for the Diet Coke.

”Too many memories of eating jello in the church basement while sitting on folding chairs. Now I need to make an appointment with my psychiatrist.”

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Browns Casserole

This recipe for Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Browns Casserole is one of the tastiest Cracker Barrel restaurant recipes for side dishes! This hash browns casserole is made with frozen hash browns, sour cream, onion, and cheese. This is truly one of the easiest side dish recipes to make.

• 2 pounds frozen hash browns
• 1 (10.25-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

• Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a large, 4-quart, bake dish with cooking spray (see note).
  2. In a large bowl, combine hash browns with soup, sour cream, butter, onion and red pepper. Season with salt and pepper and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until well mixed.
  3. Spoon into prepared bake dish and bake for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and continue to bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly browned on top.

  Notes

  • This makes a large quantity and is best if baked in a dish larger than a standard 9 x 13 casserole. You can measure your largest bake dish by pouring in water to see what quantity it holds. If you only have a 9×13, the finished casserole will be thicker and will need at least 10 more minutes of bake time before adding the final cheese.
  • This recipe was inspired by Homemade Cracker Barrel Hash Browns Casserole—a reader favorite!