Potluck Dishes in a Pinch

'Tis the season for all the Christmas parties and other friends and family togethers. Many of these will be potluck style and it will be requested you sign up to bring a dish. So what do you bring?! 

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Here are a couple of tips to making sure your dish stands out this holiday season:

Think outside the box:
Are you running low on time or just over cooking yet another holiday party? Fret not! A simple box of brownies can be transformed into a delicious and unexpected dish. Simply replacing the water in the recipe with equal parts orange juice and gently folding in some orange zest at the end will elevate your brownies to the next level! 

**Pro-tip: Buy the GOOD brownies (I prefer Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate. YUM!) 

Remix an appetizer essential:
A veggie tray is an essential for any gathering, but it doesn't have to be boring! Veggie Bars are a great way to remix the classic. The recipe is simple. 

1 package of crescent rolls
1 package of dry ranch dip mix
​1 8oz package of softened cream cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Assorted vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots

Roll crescent rolls out flat onto a greased baking sheet. Bake rolls for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Take the rolls out of the oven and let cool completely. 

Mix together dry ranch dip and softened cream cheese together. Once the rolls are cooled, spread cream cheese mixture on top. Top with your favorite veggies. 

*Pro tip: Instead of buying large quantities of vegetables, just grab what you need from the salad bar. It's much cheaper and you won't be force to eat your veggies all week. 

Are you still at a loss of what to make this holiday season? 

Five Favorites for your next potluck:

1. ​​Milk Chocolate Chip Cake
2. Pineapple Cheese Ball
3. Fresh Apple Cake
4. Sausage Balls​​
5. Blueberry Salad

​Click the links for the full recipes! These are some great go-tos for your next Christmas gathering.