Plan your next spring potluck, picnic, or party with Make & Take magazine. Make a.m. brunches super easy by prepping all the dishes ahead of time so all you have to do is pop them in the oven when you wake up. Tote a crock full of hot and hearty fillings so everyone can assemble their own sandwiches and wraps—or pack a picnic with our favorite stacked and layered heros and hoagies. And just in time for picnic season, choose from four crisp and crunchy fried chicken recipes. Just need a side? We have salads, pastas, dips, cheese appetizers, and hot, bubbly casseroles to keep even the pickiest crowds happy. When it’s time for a sweet finish, pick a new favorite from our cookies, bars, cakes, and icebox desserts. Plus all the tips and tricks you need to take your food on the road and serve it safely.
Make & Take
TOTING BASICS • Before you hit the road, think about the best place to set your food. We recommend securing your potluck dishes on the floor of the car and removing possible projectiles—backpacks, bags, and briefcases—from the seat above them. If the food must go in your trunk, place it on a nonskid mat.
POTLUCK POINTERS • Essential tips for potluck success.
GOOD MORNING! • Go ahead and hit snooze—all of these brunch dishes are make-ahead. Popping them in the oven is the extent of your A.M. duties.
SET UP A SANDWICH STATION • The crock packed with fixin’s for hot and hearty sandwiches is the heavy-lifter of the potluck crowd. Set buns and toppings next to the filling, and let guests take it from there.
DEVILED EGGS • EVERY SPRING FLING NEEDS A PLATTER OF DEVILED EGGS. HERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO SPIN THE CLASSIC TO KEEP IT FRESH.
PERFECT HAR-BOILED EGGS
CLASSIC POTLUCK SIDES • THERE’S A REASON THESE RECIPES HAVE GRACED POTLUCK TABLES OVER AND OVER THROUGH THE YEARS—THEY’RE SO GOOD! HERE’S THE BEST OF THE BEST TIME-HONORED, SHAREABLE SIDES.
EASY STARTERS • When you’re in a time crunch, feed your crew with one of these simple but irresistible dips or appetizers.
PACK-A-PICNIC SANDWICHES • FEED YOUR PICNIC CROWD WITH SHAREABLE SANDWICHES AND WRAPS STACKED HIGH WITH ALL THE EXTRAS. JUST ADD CHIPS AND DRINKS!
PARTY CHEESE • This cheese is ready to travel. Three cold spreads, three slow cooker hot dips, and one enormous customizable cheese board.
how to build a CHEESE BOARD • Cheese boards can be as big or as small as you like. Pick a serving platter or large cutting board, then mix and match the flavors, textures, and accompaniments to fit the party mood.
MAKE A THEME BOARD
EASY SNACK MIXES • Be the hero of the party by showing up with a big bowl of homemade snack mix. Whether you’re looking for salty or sweet—or a little bit of both—we’ve got you covered.
casserole LOVE • USING JUST ONE DISH, BUBBLY CASSEROLES TRAVEL FROM OVEN TO CAR TO PARTY WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT. THE HARDEST PART IS DECIDING WHICH ONE TO MAKE.
SAFE TRAVELS • Here are a few tips to get your casserole to its destination.
COOL CUCUMBERS • Cucumber season is almost here and your garden’s going to be generous. Toss together a crisp salad (or two) to share.
WEIGHING THE OPTIONS
BRING A SALAD • WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE A BIG IMPRESSION, GO FOR THE UNEXPECTED. AT YOUR NEXT POTLUCK, CHANGE UP YOUR USUAL SALAD GAME WITH BOLD FLAVORS AND CREATIVE INGREDIENT COMBOS.
FRIED CHICKEN • FRIED CHICKEN IS DRESSED TO IMPRESS AND LOOKING FOR AN INVITE TO YOUR PARTY. KEEP IT CLASSIC OR TRY SOMETHING NEW—WHICHEVER RECIPE YOU CHOOSE, YOU’RE GOLDEN.
ICEBOX desserts • No-bake icebox sweets (aptly named because of their required chill time in the fridge) are making a comeback just in time for warm-weather patio parties and BBQs.
cookies & bars • They’re easy to make,...
