Set the zest aside and juice 1 of the lemons. Zest both lemons, making sure to avoid the white pith. Save yourself the headache of reheating and start with a plan to keep it as easy as possible.ġ. So make sure you’ve livened up whatever you’re making with enough color and texture before bringing it out.Īs long as you’ve got the flavor, transportation plan and presentation down, a room temperature dish can be the solution to any gathering. Without the wafting smells coming from the oven you’ll need to have guests eat with their eyes before digging in. Make sure to also think about color – a grain dish might taste great, but a whole lot of brown doesn’t make your dish the go-to item. Often keeping a bit of chopped herbs or parsley in a separate resealable bag that can be sprinkled over the top right before serving can make a world of difference. Lastly, you need to focus on presentation – and in many ways it is easier than a piping hot dish. Since you won’t be asking the host for any oven space or fridge space you’ll make yourself extra easy by being totally self-contained on arrival. Don’t take for granted that they will have what you are looking for. You might show up and the host may not have the right knife to cut your quiche or the right spoons to serve your salad. Make sure also to travel with whatever extra tools you need. Otherwise, for any other kind of dish, just keep your dish covered until you are ready to serve so it stays looking as ready-made as possible. Similarly, if you bring a dish that doesn’t have a sauce but can still be fluffed up, like a rice or grain dish, make sure to give it a stir on arrival. A quick toss on arrival will keep everything looking fresh and as though it was made moments before.

It will save the dish from wilting and it will eliminate the pool of sauce that clings to the bottom once it has been out too long. When taking items like salads, or other dishes with an added sauce, try to keep them separated until you arrive. The ultimate no-cook dish is a salad, but even a salad can start to look a little sad if it has sat too long in its dressing. Just because a dish doesn’t need to be put back on the heat doesn’t mean it can get from point A to B without a little bit of attention to detail. Once the flavors are chosen, think through the transportation. Ultimate Guide to Fruits and Vegetables.Ultimate guide to classic French sauces.The Aroma of Comfort: Food, Scent, & Memory.Souvenirs: treasures at the supermarket.

Good pot luck dishes