What to bring to an inter-faith potluck that all can eat? (Jewish & Muslim diet guidelines question)

[Gendenwitha]

If I recall correctly, Jewish rules say meals either involve milk & eggs or meat, not both. So macaroni salad w/ mayo and tuna would be out? I've got some vegan mayo. How about chocolate cake? No shellfish, right? Is shrimp okay? No pig products either right? I've got a recipe for shrimp stew... presuming I leave out the bacon.  All I know about Muslim dietary guidelines is that they're similar to Jewish.

Thanks!!

[Tradd]

Shellfish is not allowed under Jewish dietary laws. I don't know about the Muslim take on shellfish.

Your best bet - something vegan!

[lilyka]

Pick something vegan.  No one has any beef with veggies.

[Liquesce]

I'm pretty sure fish is not considered meat in terms of Jewish dietary laws, but I wouldn't rely on my word on that.

Islamic dietary laws for the most part come down to no pork products (the big hidden offender being some types of gelatin), no alcohol (for most part including in cooking even where the actual alcohol would burn off), and while the vast majority of Muslims do eat any type of seafood there is a minority which avoids shellfish.   

[Gendenwitha]

Thank you!  I ran out of time to cook anything anyway, and so went with a fruit platter from Costco.  :-)

[seawitch]

I know this is a bit late in the game, but Kosher involves a bit more for many people than just not mixing meat and milk - they have to use special dishes that have been purified, etc. Chances are that if someone was very strict in their dietary guidelines they wouldn't eat much of anything at a potluck, but TMMV.

[lilyka]

That is a good point.  I think when going to potlucks, any potluck, it is best to just post the recipe and let people choose if this is something they feel comfortable eating (if it is not religion it is allergies or person preferences).  Everyone has different rules and you will never be able to cover everyone.  And no one expects you to.  

But vegan is usually a good choice for most people and you can never go wrong with a fruit tray :D

[serenbat]

go with hummus and veggies next time and some olives

[kristandthekids]

I know you already had your potluck, but Jew Mom checking in just to clarify some things.

Shrimp is a no go.
Fish and eggs are parve. It's not meat or dairy and can go with either. So a tuna salad with mayo would be fine. You could even throw cheese into it. (Assuming you're using a vegetarian rennet.) But something like catfish would not be kosher.
Any meat would have to be kosher meat, not just not from a forbidden animal. That might be a PITA for someone who doesn't know what they're doing so just skip it.
When in doubt, go vegan is good advice.

When I decided to start practicing it took a long time to learn all the ins and outs. I would never expect someone to learn everything overnight for a potluck. I'm so touched any time anyone makes an effort. I was invited to a dinner once where the hostess told me with pride that her sweet potatoes didn't have marshmallows on them. She had found out that marshmallows are usually not kosher. (Gelatin is usually a pork product.) It was so nice of her to do! Then she served them. In a pie crust. Almost all frozen pie crusts have lard in them. I smiled and ate around it and didn't say a word. It was just nice that she cared enough to try in the first place.