PotLuck - not just fun but so much to learn!

When a group of individuals come together, they have to have something in common to make it work. And I am so fortunate to have found friends who like us: think - talk - plan - implement and enjoy everything about food. Every time we meet, we are not just focused on gorging on the food in front of us, but also discuss all about what we'd like to gorge on the next time and then the next time and then more next times. There's only so many cuisines one can try in a lifetime...with this group and the enthusiasm for food - no cuisine will miss it's chance to be tried, tasted and of-course appreciated:).

Before we started our official Potlucks this year, we used to meet over good food often. Kudos to Hazra for coming up with the monthly Potluck idea. Not that we needed reason to meet and eat...this made sure we met every month (even during the harsh snowing winters in New England) and also shared the cooking responsibility. Must say I am enjoying it thoroughly, more so because we have a food theme every month and it gives us all opportunity to try unexplored food territories. It is enlightening to discover that the international cuisines that might seem so much out of reach when we order them at the restaurants, are indeed so much easier to prepare from scratch - with the ability to add a personalized touch that caters to your taste. Oh yes, needless to mention - the rule of thumb for our potluck is all food is home made:). I used to be so conservative when it came to trying out new recipes...always stuck to my same old Indian home made food...the Potluck sure has given me so much confidence to explore the international cuisines.

In the past, I noticed with regular Potlucks, it is very important to have some variations with food, else it gets boring and more of a burden - having to repeat the same recipe's again and again. You get tagged with being good at making one thing and every potluck you are expected to bring the same - agreed sometimes it is safe to go with the tried and tested, but then does not do much for the creative cook and need to learn insticts in someone who loves to explore more with eating and cooking. We welcomed year 2011 with our first Potluck hosted by Hazra and Andre in January - the theme was Indian Eclectic Mix- some great spicy food in the relaxing surroundings of one of the most cozy places in town (yes I'm talking about the Beausoleil abode). Menu included fish cutlets, Egg/Potato chops, Veg Pulao, Chicken Makhani, Veggie Mushrooms and the Devine English Triffle for dessert:). The second one, very well planned by our ultimate hosts Suchi and Abhi with the Asian Fusion theme - food here was to die for...tom-yum Soup, steamed chicken shrimp dumplings- Malasian chicken curry with white rice- Sesame Chicken Satay with peanut sauce - Pad Ke Mao followed by the very awesome Carrot cake....can go back in time to eat these again:). For this month, Dubeyz are the host with Middle Eastern theme and details are documented on another post that follows.

Well curious, what does the 2.5 yr old Aadyah do amongst the foodie grown ups during our Potlucks - well she dresses up to pose for cameras and sometimes laughs at our jokes without understanding a bit:))

There's nothing that beats the combination of GOOD FOOD & GREAT COMPANY....Cheers!!