How to Host a Mediterranean Diet Potluck

Research has shown that the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on healthy oils and antioxidants, can lengthen life spans. The diet is low in saturated fat and high in fiber, and the dishes are more interesting than your basic meat and potatoes. Here's how to host a Mediterranean diet potluck. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1

Make a list of the courses you want people to bring dishes for your potluck. When involving family and close friends, consider their expertise and preferences. Also think about what foods would work best for a potluck such as salads and simple entrees.

2

Check the Internet for recipes to suggest. The Mediterranean-food website (see Resources) is organized by country of origin and the letters of the alphabet. Focus on fish, some meat like beef and lamb, beans, vegetables and fruit and high-fiber grains.

3

Talk to your family and close friends first about what they'd like to make. Be sure there's a wide variety of courses. Encourage them to experiment with vegetables and spices they've never tried like eggplant, grape leaves, parsley and oregano.

4

Leave easier things like side dishes to people you don't know so well. Though you should give them guidance on proper Mediterranean diet foods, their cooking style may not gel well with what you're used to.

5

Ask each guest what she's brought and make a card to place on the table beside the dish. People with food allergies will appreciate this. It also warns your guests about unfamiliar foods.

6

Serve only red wine. The wine goes well with typical Mediterranean dishes and contains important antioxidants. Provide juice, tea or water for those who don't drink alcohol, as it's healthier than soda.

7

Provide nuts and dried fruit for later when people are looking for a snack. Appropriate desserts at your Mediterranean diet potluck include dishes with fruit, nuts, honey and flakey dough.