Last spring, I spent the better part of four days tucked into a tiny cabin near Neumann University, working on my natural sweeteners book. I took a cooler full of food, a pile of cookbooks to use as reference when my own inspiration failed me, and a few things to read simply for fun.
Included in my pleasure reading was a PDF of Alana Chernila’s book The Homemade Kitchen, provided by her editor in the hopes that I might write a sentence or two of praise. After my first day of writing was over, I warmed some soup for dinner and settled down to read.
My original intention had been to read just a bit that night and then go to bed early. Instead, I sat at that little, formica-topped table and hungrily took in every word. Friends, I devoured this book.
Now, I had a feeling I would like The Homemade Kitchen before I even opened up the document. I am a fan of Alana’s writing and always feel a moment of anticipatory pleasure when I discover she’s posted something new on her blog. What’s more, since we met four or five years ago, Alana has become a dear friend. We don’t get to see each other too often, but whenever I find myself passing through Western Massachusetts, I point my car in her direction.
The reason I tumbled head first into these pages is that they bring together everything I want from a cookbook. It’s got appealing food, smart and sensible kitchen advice, wonderful writing, a glimpse into the author’s life, a pretty design, and glorious pictures.
When the physical book landed in my mailing box late last week, I was reminded of my time with that PDF all those months ago. While I haven’t cooked anything from it yet, I’ve broken the spine in half a dozen places and have littered the pages with post-it notes.
Just a few of the recipes I’ve marked include Broccoli Raab with Cheddar Polenta (page 61), Roasted Salmon with Yummy Sauce (page 163), and the Congee with Chicken and Greens (page 202). I’m hungry just listing them out.
Disclosure: The nice folks at Clarkson Potter sent me a copy of this book for review and photography purposes. No additional compensation was provided.
Besides being a cookbook junkie, I love the fact that she’s in my backyard!
Whenever asked to being something along….the request is almost always my signature Guacamole. Lots of cilantro and scallions, slightly mushy avacadoes, loads of lime juice, and then the organic salsa. Sometimes even with rustic homemade tortillas.
My favorite is Dirty Rice.
Broccoli pesto pasta salad…..practically cooks itself.
Favorite pot luck dish would have to be the 7 cheese mac-n-cheese my sister made. It was so rich and decadent that you couldn’t help but go back for more. It was gooey but the texture was just right. It had to be served with a spoon like a good mac-n-cheese should be.
My go-to is a variation on a good old bean salad. The most recent iteration was kidneys, pintos, and spaghetti squash in a chipotle dressing. It was a hit!
my favorite potluck dish is a lentil carrot salad. Has parsley lemon olives garlic and olive oil in it.. Yummy!
I make a veggie pizza..everyone loves it and that’s what they request and I’m happy to bring it.
My fave potluck dish is red rice salad or winter fruit salad with gorganzola
Hummus and homemeade pitas
My mother’s fried rice is probably my favorite to eat, but I typically end up bringing eggless cupcakes (I have an egg allergy).
When I first met my husband, his ‘signature’ potluck dish was sweet potato shepards pie with chipotle and venison. It won me over for sure! Now I steal his glory and make it myself. Would love to win this beautiful new book, thanks for the chance!
A good friend once told me “You don’t win friends with salad”, so I usually bring a dessert like Smitten Kitchen’s Popcorn Cookies. But I love salad! So I bring a green salad chock full of interesting flavors to family dinners.
I love to take an Alsatian onion tart. It’s super simple, but looks and tastes luxurious! I use a rectangular tart pan to make slicing portions easy too. I love Alana’s 1st book, and can hardly wait for this one!
I bring a different thing every time- which means about 1/3rd of the time I’m trying to hide some total disaster toward the back of the table…
Favorite fall pot luck dish: Roasted (chunked up) squash with lots of garlic and fresh sage. So good.
I like to take rice bake casserole with chicken and spinach
the dish I like to take to a gathering; is hamburger/noodle/velveeta cheese dish.
My favorite to take is a pan-fried cole slaw. I also make it with some smoked sausage and cubed, cooked potatoes to make it a main dish.
My favorite potluck dish to eat is Ambrosia because my Mother never made it so the only time I get to have it is if someone brings it to a potluck.
My favorite potluck dish to make is a cold curry rice shrimp salad.
You cook a package of rice mix. I like a wild rice mix. Then you add a half cup chopped green pepper and a half cup chopped celery. Add cooked shrimp, whatever size and kind you like.
Then whip a half cup of whipped cream, add a half cup of mayonnaise and curry powder to taste.
The mix it all together and chill. I usually add a few shrimp and some parsley on top to garnish. Maybe a dash of paprika on the top for color.
It’s easy to make ahead. The color is a little offputting but the minute people start eating it, I never have leftovers to bring home.
Go to potluck choices are some sort of muffin or bread and/or a grain salad featuring whatever fresh veggies I have around. My pantry usually dictates my choices.
My favorite potluck dish happens to be Green Bean Casserole. It’s unabashedly rich, and delicious.
How can you pick just one favorite?! Chili is always my go-to, but I often have people request thay I make a desert since I love to bake. This time of year, pumpkin cream cheese rolls are absolutely essential in my life.
I have a antipasti salad that I love to make for putlucks. Its roasted brussel sprouts, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, olives, cubed provolone and salami/pepperoni, artichokes, and croutons. Drizzle over my homemade vinaigrette the dish is ready to go.
I usually bring dessert – this weekend it was pineapple upside down cake.
If I go to a brunch potluck, I usually bring a quiche – usually with some green vegetable and/or mushrooms. If it’s a lunch or dinner, i bring deviled eggs and/or a salad of barley with cherry tomatoes and chunks of mozzarella cheese and herbs.
My favorite thing to bring to a potluck is mini cream puffs stuffed with creamy buffalo chicken salad. Easy and tasty!
Looks like a lovely book! I love to bring chocolate chip cookies to a potluck. Classic!
when i go to potluck i am asked to bring my red slaw or my german slaw. both are wonderful. the german cole slaw recipe was given to me by my gramma and the red slaw i found in the little seasonal recipe/coupon book found at checkout station. it has been shared and has gone to the south and east coast.
I almost always bring a baked thing. I brought rhubarb crisp to my husband’s family reunion and it stole the show, if I do say so myself 🙂
During the Summer, my usual potluck dish to bring is my Nanny’s (my Italian grandmother) green bean potato salad which is made with bacon and garlic.When garlic is an ingredient in anything, I usually double, if not triple, the amount. My friends like to joke about my love of garlic and have renamed this salad as Gina’s Garlic with Green Beans and Potato salad. It is really good with pancetta as well. During the cooler times of the year, I usually fall back to a sweet item, most often brownies or Banana Chocolate cake. This is a cake i once had at a gathering at a stranger’s house and HAD to get the recipe because it was so good. it gets the same response every time I make it.
Everyone gets super excited when I bring deviled eggs.
Depends on what is being requested – dessert, side, or meat dish, but everyone loves my homemade Jalapeno Jelly on Cream Cheese with Crackers.
My mom has a really easy peach cobbler recipe. Unfortunately it’s unhealthy. Sine I am usually in a time crunch, I do that. People love it, but I am always embarrassed to give out the recipe– lots of margarine ( can’t use butter).
Mom’s family recipe for beans!
I usually make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies because I just can’t seem to do anything else…
It depends on the season. This summer it has either been bruschetta or Smitten Kitchen brownies.
My go-to potluck dish is couscous salad with tons of veggies, goat cheese, caramelized onions, and a balsamic vinaigrette. It tastes great at room temp and travels and scales easily!
i like to bring baked Brie. I place the Brie on pastry dough ( either phyllo dough or crescent roll dough) put some of my homemade jams on it (I like chunky fig jam, but have used peach and spicy tomato, too) , wrap the dough around the cheese and make a topknot. Seal with egg wash and bake at 375 for about 15 minutes, til dough is cooked and golden brown..mmmmm
Fresh baked bread and herb butter! So easy but everyone raves over it and its gone before I get any.
I have serious potluck issues. I never know what to make. I usually go with some sort of bread, either banana or yeasted. Possibly with cheese.
quinoa curry vegetable stew
Depends on the season, but pesto chicken and pasta is a favorite. Soup often in fall or winter. If I’m feeling lazy, chocolate raspberry brownies come together quickly and use jam, which I usually have plenty of.
My favorite potluck dish is fresh bread and home made peach preserves, although my most requested dish is usually buffalo chicken dip.
I like making a trifle. With home canned peaches and angel food cake.
My favorite potluck dish is pasta salad with lots of veggies, garbanzo beans, cheese, olives, and fresh herbs. It’s a family favorite.
I like to bring a fresh fruit plate. It’s refreshing and I never have leftovers to bring home.
For a potluck always a baked good! This time of year definitely something pumpkin inspired like pumpkin roll.
My favorite potluck dish to bring is artichoke and spinach dip with crackers.
white bean soup or chili