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How to…Host a Perfect Potluck with Kikkoman!

We all like to get together with friends, sharing good times over a delicious meal. These days, though, everyone is maxed out with work and family obligations, and the thought of pulling together a dinner party can be daunting. A potluck makes entertaining easy! When everybody brings a dish, both host and guests can relax and enjoy the food and the company. So next time you want to have a casual get-together, set a date, call your friends, and ask them to bring a dish to share with the rest of the group.

Potlucks give everyone a chance to show off their culinary talents and sample new dishes that other guests bring. Don't forget, Kikkoman products save time on meal preparation, which is great when you're cooking for a larger group. Check the recipes on the Kikkoman Home Cooks Web site for an old favorite or a new recipe to try out — you can't go wrong with Kikkoman! Look for dishes that can be prepared ahead of time, like casseroles, chilies and stews, and encourage your guests to bring dishes that need little or no last-minute preparation. Potlucks are casual affairs, and the food doesn't need to be fancy, as long as it's delicious!

Hosting with Ease

Organization is the key to avoiding duplication and making sure all the bases are covered. The host can cook the main course and ask guests to bring side dishes, salads and desserts. Or, you may just choose to do the organizing and provide the location and beverages. Create a signup sheet so that you know how many appetizers, main courses and desserts to expect. Send the list around by e-mail so everyone can see who's bringing what. The element of surprise is fun, but five macaroni and cheese casseroles are four too many! And don't forget to ask someone to bring beverages, if you won't be providing them.

Have extra serving platters, bowls and utensils on hand. Most guests will bring food that can be served straight from the dish or casserole, but you don't want to be rummaging through your cabinet at the last minute. It's also nice to have a variety of to-go containers on hand, so that any leftovers can be shared among the guests. Once the food is on the table, everyone gets to relax, dig in and have a great time!