Kama’s Favorite Potluck Items

I can't believe I'm sharing my tricks, but I figure the chances we'll bring the same dish to the same potluck are pretty slim.  I don't like to bring big complicated dishes to potlucks.  So I have narrowed my edible contributions down to a few amazing, delicious, easy, inexpensive standby's.    Bacon Wrapped Dates and Roasted Carrots.  Bacon Wrapped Dates are starting to show up in various forms with different cheeses stuffed in the date, like this recipe here, but  I don't even stuff them with cheese, I don't think it's necessary.  I buy bulk dates from Sprouts or Sunflower, already pitted, and wrap them in a half a piece of bacon and put a toothpick in it.  If I were to rename them, I would call them Bacon Taffy.  The dates get sweet and chewy and are hugged by crispy salty bacon.  These are the first thing to go everytime.  Now, if I want to bring a healthier option I go for Roasted Carrots.  Don't freak out, I know most people don't like carrots...but people DO like these carrots.  People rave about how good the carrots are and how they have never eaten a whole carrot before.  Here are my simple recipes.  Happy Potluck'ing!

Bacon Wrapped Dates

• wrap pitted dates in 1/2 a piece of bacon, stab with toothpick, put on baking sheet and bake at 400 until crispy.

Roasted Carrots

• Buy a bag of full sized organic carrots and clean them.  Don't peel them because the skin adds sweetness and crisp.  Place them on a baking sheet and roll in a little olive oil.  Then sprinkle with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese.  These will take at least an hour at 400 in the oven.  Your goal is a crispy browned carrot.  Let cool and be amazed at the sweet amazing thing you're eating...and yes, it's still a carrot.