Potlucks are fun get-togethers where people come together to share food and recipes as well as camaraderie. Potlucks can be shared between friends, family, at church functions, or many other events. There are many great things about potlucks, but one for sure is that just about anyone can find soothing delicious to eat. The other truly great part about potlucks is that you can bring your own dish to share, which means that there will always be at least one item you can eat on the buffet line.

Potlucks also give you a great chance to show off your culinary skills and prepare something that people will truly enjoy. All you need is a great CKD potluck recipes, one that is not only delicious, but  safe for you to eat on your renal disease diet.

Simple Chicken and Rice Casserole

A kidney safe take on a classic casserole, this is a deliciously simple recipe that anyone can pull off perfectly. This recipe is adapted from the Davita.com recipe page.

You Need:

2 large bell peppers, chopped (your choice of colors, red and green are recommended)
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup low fat milk
3 cups cooked white rice
2 cups cubed chicken, cooked
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon salt free seasoning blend (table blend or herb blend is best)

Directions:

1.    Heat oven to 350° F.
2.    Prepare a 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
3.    In a large saucepan, heat olive oil and butter over low heat.
4.    Sauté peppers, onions, and garlic together.
5.    Keeping the heat low, stir in flour and black pepper, creating a roux.
6.    Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
7.    Try not to allow the mixture to brown much. Remove from heat.
8.    Stir in Worcestershire sauce, broth and milk.
9.    Heat to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for one minute.
10.    Stir in cooked rice, chicken, mushrooms, and salt free seasoning.
11.    Pour into baking dish. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
12.    Remove cover and continue cooking for 20 minutes.

Taco Surprise Casserole

Just about everyone loves tacos. You can please the whole crowd as well as keep to your kidney safe diet with this delicious recipe.

You Need:

6 corn taco shells, broken into pieces (you can also use salt free corn chips)
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup bell peppers, diced (red and green)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco® sauce
Shredded Lettuce
1/3 cup diced fresh tomato
½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

1.    Prepare your serving dish by placing a layer of broken taco shells down, reserving enough to make a second layer.
2.    In a large saucepan, brown ground beef.
3.    Halfway through browning, add onion, peppers, and garlic.
4.    Sauté until beef is cooked through.
5.    Drain off excess grease.
6.    Mix spices together and add to beef mixture, along with hot sauce.
7.    Add half of beef mixture to serving dish, topping with more shells and then the last layer of beef.
8.    Top with cheese, then lettuce and tomato.

You can also add a few dollops of fat free sour cream for garnish. Another variation of this dish would be to place the beef mixture in a bowl, topped with the cheese, lettuce, and tomato and surround the dish with unsalted corn chips. This may help prevent sogginess.

For more great kidney friendly recipes, click here.