Potstickers: minced pork and shrimp and ginger wrapped in a wonton shell, fried, then after frying you boil them in a chicken stock until the stock evaporates

Twice baked potatoes: you bake a potato, scoop out the insides, mash the potatoes and add cream and nutmeg and chives, then stuff them back into the potato skin, sprinkle with oil and broil them for a crispy coating.

Potstickers: minced pork and shrimp and ginger wrapped in a wonton shell, fried, then after frying you boil them in a chicken stock until the stock evaporates.

Candied carrots: baby carrots rubbed with brown sugar and cinnamon and baked until the sugar caramelized.

Corn avacado salad: butter corn on the cob and roast on a BBQ, then slice the kernels off. Cut an avacado into little cubes (it will be messy but that's okay), add a torn bunch of cilantro, and chop up a red onion and a deseeded jalapeno or chipotle peppers. Mix a dressing of honey, oil, and lime juice and shake vigorously. Toss everything together in a bowl and cover with plastic until ready to serve.

Scalloped potatoes with greuyer cheese: I don't care for it but my parents love it. Use a mandoline or sharp knife to thinly chop a potato into potato chip rounds, then layer them with greater cheese, nutmeg and other spices, and bake until the top is super crispy.

I am assuming from your question that you are a guest at someone else's house and you are looking for something to bring because you are polite and don't want to arrive empty handed. High five to you for your thoughtfulness!

Generally speaking, unless your host has specifically asked you to bring something, he/she has ALL the bases covered for dinner-- and then some! So why not make something that can be enjoyed by the host the following day-- when he/she probably doesn't want to cook OR eat leftovers.

Think brunch, for example. You could make a quiche that could be eaten cold or warmed up. You could even add a fruit salad-- it would be especially refreshing after the prior day's heavy meal. Or you could make muffins (pumpkin or cranberry would be very holiday appropriate!) so the host had a treat to wake up to. (Maybe bring some great coffee beans, too.).

Another option is to make a handmade sweet that can be placed out with dessert and/or enjoyed later. Chocolate truffles are always a hit. I like Chai Chocolate Truffles from Giada DiLaurentis. Another favorite are these Espresso Caramel Bars-- easy to make but they make a great presentation and they are so delicious. (They keep well, too!).

I used to have a recipe for making salami, took three days: Mix on day one, add more spices and mix on day 2. On the third day formed it into logs and baked at a low temperature. Since we were both working 8-- 5, we did the mixing in the evening then the baking overnight. Woke up in a deli! I do see some recipes on line, but their all one-day recipes.

How about hot buttered rum? Make a batter of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ground cloves etc. Use apple cider. Warm the cider after all the other cooking is done, so it's ready to have with dessert or as dessert or after dessert. Great with or without the rum.