If you are asked to attend a potluck dinner, chances are that you will be requested to bring a dish. Most potluck dishes fall into the following groups: appetizers, salads, main dishes and desserts. Here is a winning Italian recipe for each category. These recipes are also excellent if you want to take something special to an Italian dinner party.
Italian Potluck Appetizer Recipe
ANTIPASTO PLATTER
You can take an antipasto platter to a potluck dinner with ease. This interesting platter provides such a variety of foods that it is likely to please everyone.
Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cubes of Provolone cheese
- Cubes of gorgonzola cheese
- Slices of Italian sausage
- Green pitted olives
- Black pitted olives
- Slices of sweet red bell pepper
- Slices of green pepper
- Romaine lettuce
- Slices of peeled orange
Directions
- Make a bed of romaine lettuce on a platter.
- Arrange all of the ingredients on the lettuce bed as attractively as possible.
Salad Recipe
ITALIAN POTATO SALAD
Made with simple, fresh ingredients, this version of the potato salad is much healthier than the one that is made with mayonnaise. Feel free to add a little more olive oil, if necessary.
Ingredients
- Six large, or 8 smaller Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
- ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Two sweet red onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup basil leaves
- Salt and Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Cook potatoes. After the potatoes have cooked, let them cool.
- Cut the potatoes into two inch cubes and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add the onion slices and the basil.
- Mix the olive oil with the lemon juice, and stir the salad to completely coat the potatoes and other ingredients.
- Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Main Dish Recipe
PASTA WITH CHICKEN, CHERRY TOMATOES, GOAT CHEESE AND HERBS
This nutritious pasta dish is easy to make and to transport. The flavours blend well together and the goat cheese makes it creamy. You may wish to add some cooked broccoli florets for an added touch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 pounds fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 ounces mild goat cheese, crumbled
- 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons shredded fresh basil
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more the table
Directions
- Mix the tomatoes, goat cheese, garlic, basil, parsley, green onions, salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil in a large serving bowl.
- Let stand 30-60 minutes at room temperature so the flavours can combine.
- While the ingredients is the bowl are resting, cook the pasta until it is al dente.
- Drain the pasta and add to the other ingredients while it is hot. Stir in the cooked chicken.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine. Serve with additional Parmesan, salt and pepper.
Dessert Recipe
LEMON RICOTTA CAKE
This is a delicious rustic cake recipe is from Sardinia. Tart and not too sweet, it is a perfect choice for a potluck dinner.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1½ cups flour
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Icing sugar (to dust cake)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 inch round cake pan. Use a springform pan if you have one.
- Cream the butter with the sugar, then add the ricotta cheese. Keep creaming until smooth.
- Add the egg yolks one at a time and beat them in.
- Add the lemon juice and lemon zest while continuing to beat.
- Add the flour and beat it into the butter mixture until it is well blended.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold them into the batter.
- Carefully transfer the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack to finish cooling. Once it has cooled, dust the cake generously with icing sugar.
