Potlucks are invariably a good time. Booze, banter and fuckloads of food. Sometimes, however, figuring out what to contribute can be a tricky business - what will impress and be delicious, yet also be quick and not extravagant?
In an attempt to solve this dilemma, here are a couple of suggestions for quick desserts that are always impressive and super delicious. I have used both these recipes at potluck/BBQs and both have been hits. Neither requires any cooking and if you are reasonably good at crushing biscuits, they shouldn’t take more than 30 mins a piece to make.
CHEATER’S CHEESECAKE
250g packet of Ginger Nut biscuits, or Vanilla Wine biscuits
200g butter
Tub of cheesecake filling
Cup of fresh fruit e.g. raspberries OR tin of apricots/peaches/whatever you fancy
This recipe is a definite winner. Super fast, implausibly easy and very tasty. I feel quite guilty about it actually. There have been at least two potlucks where I have taken along this cheesecake and soaked up the praise, all the while keeping a guilty secret; I have never actually made a cheesecake entirely from scratch in my life. It all seems a bit daunting. Instead this cheesecake is made using pre made cheesecake filling. But seriously, not only is it super yum and much easier, it’s also cheaper than buying all the ingredients you would need to make it from scratch!
So, first of all, crush the packet of biscuits to make the base. I recommend a potato masher or rolling pin as a tool for this job. Last time I made this I tried to use my Magic Bullet to whizz them to oblivion (in three seconds!) but ended up breaking the Magic Bullet. Needless to say this was an enormous tragedy that delayed proceedings for about fifteen mins while I attempted to superglue it back together…it never fully recovered. Anyway, crush the biscuits; if you are using Wine Biscuits, maybe add a little ginger or cinnamon to the mix. Then add the 200g of melted butter, or more if needed. Using a round quiche dish (or whatever else is handy and quiche-dish-like) press the base mixture into place and put it in the fridge while you do the next bit.
Take the tub of filling (which costs about $8 and sits near the cream cheese in the supermarket) and empty it onto a microwave-proof bowl. Yes, it looks like a freaky congealed blob but don’t panic. Put it in the microwave for a few minutes until it’s soft and less congealed-looking. Then add the fresh fruit, or drain the tin of apricots or whatever you have, and mix through. I would recommend chopping the fruit into small pieces first. Take the base out of the fridge, fill with the cream cheese/ fruit mixture and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Seriously; it’s super delicious, looks really pretty and will make you popular.
BANOFFEE PIE
250g packet of Ginger Nut biscuits
200g butter
1 can of Highlander Caramel
2 bananas, reasonably ripe
150mls fresh cream
A wee bit of chocolate to grate over the top
Equally easy and delicious, and just as likely to increase popularity. It’s a recipe I got from my granny, although to call it a recipe is a bit of a stretch. It’s more a composition.
Firstly, make a base exactly as for the cheesecake (Ginger Nuts highly recommended). Pour (scoop) caramel into a bowl and mix with half the cream in order to create a beautifully smooth consistency. Smother pre-chilled biscuit base with caramel mixture. Next is a layer of sliced banana, followed by the remainder of the cream, whipped. Be careful not to do what I did and whip the cream with a whisk on the couch while watching the news - I accidentally made butter. Most unfortunate. Lastly, sprinkle grated chocolate over the pie. Mmmmmm. Good.
Potluck Desserts
