Tupperware is great for toting to potlucks. Now if only it came with its own GPS. Because what inevitably happens is that you run around for 10 minutes at the end of the gathering trying to find your dish among all the other look-alike containers. Or you remember halfway home that you totally forget to collect your dish. Disposable containers can help solve the leave-behind problem, but what if you want an option that’s environmentally friendly too?
Serve a sweet soup bowl. Summer is the perfect season for gazpacho—cold tomato soup made with fresh veggies. You can perk up your presentation by scooping out the inside of a ripe melon and serving the soup inside. The melon will add flavor and look gorgeous. Save the fruit for a sweet, healthy snack the next time your kids ask for ice cream.
Go exotic. People in tropical climates use the leaves of the banana tree to wrap food, keep it fresh, and eat off of. Try a local Filipino or Asian market or asianfoodgrocer.com.
Bring a pot to potluck. Here’s the perfect multitasking housewarming gift. Buy a decorative flowerpot—making sure it’s food safe and doesn’t have a hole in the bottom—and wash it with soap and water. Fill the pot with a fresh salad and serve the dressing on the side. After the guests have eaten, wash the planter again and give it as a thank-you to your hostess.
Make it in a melon. Cut the top of a watermelon lengthwise, hollow out the inside, and cube the fruit. Then mix in apples, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, and a little lemon juice for freshness. This fruit salad will look as good as it tastes. Works for party punch and Jell-O, too.
Pick a pepper. Serving dip in its store-bought container is so tailgate. Instead, cut the top off a red, yellow, or green bell pepper and fill it with your favorite dip—maybe ranch dressing or hummus. When the dip is gone, cut the pepper into strips for eating.
Bag it. Bringing party supplies instead of food? Pack in a reusable cloth bag. When you unpack at the party, let your hostess know the bag is for her.
Great idea for the 4th of July BBQ
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
