Potluck

Potluck

What is potluck?

Dictionary says noun: potluck

1. a situation in which one must take a chance that whatever is available will prove to be good or acceptable.

   "he could take pot luck in a town not noted for its restaurants"

   • NORTH AMERICAN

     a meal or party to which each of the guests contributes a dish.
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This has become very common now a days, at work, with friends and relatives. I see it from another perspective, whose pot has more luck to get emptied!

The teams are made to start with a detailed plan about the dishes to be brought, starting from starters to desserts mostly brought in by bachelors or who cannot cook or convince their family to cook! So, starters, desserts, chips and cookies become store bought!

There’s another plus side to it if we are staying abroad. If any dish cooked on Sunday is left over, it can be taken to a potluck to the office on Friday! Nobody knows when it was prepared. Some also bring frozen foods, thaw it and heat it and bring it to the table. The climate plays the partner in crime!

Unfortunately for the cook, fortunately for the guests, this wont work in India! The age can be determined by a sharp sense of smell! Also, non-veg becomes many in number when compared to veg dishes. On that day, the office will be an extension of the canteen only with the employees becoming the chefs. Some make dosa with induction stove, some have a pani puri stall, etc... Another smart idea was to have boli stall!

The scenario is different at home! When you can’t cook at home, why do you agree to this? Shouts the wife! The hubby convinces, please darling, this one time! I will promise not to commit again, his mind voice saying, committing to you was the first blunder! I have told them all (a lie) that you’re such a wonderful cook and they want to taste your food! She melts a little and asks, really? Okay then, I can make only for 10 people! He smiles and says, whatever, please make and give!

On the D-day, he helps cutting vegetables, be with her in the kitchen, ready to help, ready to taste and pack! Again, erupts the lava! Have you ever done this at home? Just because of the potluck, you want to make sure all is well! He is quick enough to say, its all for you! They will think how well you have executed it, smiling at her!

Finally, the food is packed, enjoyed in office and he calls up from there just to give her some satisfaction, everyone appreciated your dish! It was the best!

She’s all smiles when he’s back from work and says have you ever appreciated my food?! Your colleagues are way better than you are! Next year I’ll make my signature dish and see how everyone appreciates it! Hubby is all smiling, thinking the plan has worked!

When this happens among the women, hubby comments, (inside his head) when you can’t even make one dish properly, why do you want to go?! Openly says: What if that friend brings it better?! Fume added! She starts to look for many recipes, try it every day, make him taste until he pukes and finally makes it for the D-day! Hubby thinks this has never happened even for your mom coming home!

During the event, if this dish isn’t cleaned off, she sorrowfully brings it back, promises not to take part ever after in the potluck! Hubby consoles her saying it’s okay dear, why do you take stress! Just cook at home, enjoy and take rest! Who are they to judge your dish?! We are there at home na, (bakras) to eat whatever you make! Come on, now, make some coffee for me and you and let’s drink that watching tv!

The wife feels better without knowing the hidden meaning!

When it happens at a friend’s party, the hubby praises all the food except his wife’s and she again gets angered! His exact comments would be replayed at home and he must play the lawyer to defend himself!

The worst part is the cleaning the vessels and kitchen post cooking / event! Such huge quantity cooked, the vessels need to be cleaned, the remaining to be stored in the fridge and served for anyone who dare to visit until the pot is emptied! Now the pot reminds us of the Akshaya patra, with no bottom!

Truly, the pot needs luck and also to the person who eats from it!