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.
My favorite is a broccoli slaw with apples, dried cranberries and pecans. I also love to make cream puffs in a sheet pan with pudding, whipped cream and fruit on top. I only make the cream puffs at Christmas.
I have different favorites for different times of year, but I usually bring something green or in the fall/winter I tend towards vegan quinoa butternut chili! That way almost anyone can try it, even with dietary restrictions. And it’s so easy to top with avocado, cilantro, and even cheese and sour cream for the dairy inclined.
I can’t wait to check out this book!
Chicken pot pie is always a favorite in my circle. Made just for Wonderful fall dinners!
For our Christmas luncheon at work, I bring a salad. I can guarantee I won’t be duplicating anyone else. Bitter greens (red & green), dried cranberries, Asian pear slices, candied pecans & a cranberry or pomegranate dressing.
I love to bring a big bowl of tabouli. It’s healthy and a treat.
My go-to potluck dish is dairy free chocolate chip cookies. Who doesn’t love a well made chocolate chip cookie?
My favorite potluck dish to bring is a big pot of butternut squash & coconut soup, because a) it’s super easy to prepare and b) no one else thinks to bring soup! I usually serve it in a cup for easy sipping and because there isn’t any dairy or meat, it’s both vegetarian and safe to have sitting out on a buffet.
I don’t have a regular dish, but I usually find myself bringing some type of salad because most of my work potlucks are a little short on green food. 🙂
When I need to bring food to a family gathering or pot luck I’m usually asked to bring one of my pies, the favorite is my pecan pie followed by apple and cherry.
My favorite potluck dish will always be what we refer to as “Funeral Potatoes”, but is more commonly known as cheesy potatoes. You use frozen hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, cheese, and cornflakes to make it. Probably not the healthiest, but I love it!
My autumn favorites are pea salad, southwest chili and cornbread or a boozy bundt cake.
During the fall & winter, my go to is a deep dish casserole my mom concocted. Layers of sliced potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples and browned loose sausage .
For picnics, I like to bring a bean salad with chick peas, black beans, kidney beans & black eyed peas with a honey mustard vinaigrette. I like it because it’s a bit different than the usual picnic fare and you don’t have to worry about a mayo dressing in the heat.
I like to make Chicken Devan!
I try to take something I can leave and forget until it’s time to eat: A slow cooker full of soup or chili, a potato salad, or if I’m feeling festive a baked brie with some of my jam topping it. I feel I need a brie now…
A potato salad that I grew up on and the only kind my husband will eat. Red potatoes, banana peppers, red onion, parsley, garlic…always better if it sits overnight before serving.
I love salads so I usually end up making one for potlucks, always with some form of toasted nut or seed. Changes the whole texture 🙂 If I bring dessert, I usually make a banana or zucchini bread (gotta find a way to use all that frozen grated zucchini!)
I make a yummy peanut stew. Lots of veggies, a little spice, and super hearty.
I like to bring desserts, usually a cheesecake from scratch.
I love to take a plate of deviled eggs made with homemade zucchini relish.
I really like to keep it simple- fall and winter I love to take gingerbread or apple cake.
During the winter, I love taking big pots of soup, especially minestrone, loaded with everything but the kitchen sink. During the summertime, I have a recipe for a cheese salad given to me by a dear friend that is always enjoyed.
IN the growing season, my favorite potluck dish is grilled veg w/ a drizzle balsamic. A few weeks ago, I brought stuffed peppers to a potluck.
Depending on the time of year my favorite pot luck dish to share is either potato salad, cucumber salad or for dessert a sour cream custard apple pie. For appetizers I bring my homemade habanero gold pepper jelly w cream cheese & crackers.
Chicken enchilada casserole- always a hit.
I love hash brown casserole.
my favorite dish to bring to winter potluck is my homemade chili. In warmer months I like to bring my breakfast casserole.
If I bring dessert, it is just about always lemon ice box pie because it’s super easy. Dill dip is a fave and you can’t go wrong with good ol’ tater salad.
My favorite potluck dish is a huge fruit salad. I like to go heavy on the melons and berries, but whatever is seasonal is good. In the colder months, chicken salad with toasted almonds, celery, and red onions is good too, because the leftover chicken carcass for soup-making is a huge bonus!
Potluck is an amazing tradition. I’ve done lots of successful dishes and there are wonderful recipes here. But my favorite potluck Co tribute on was the night when I didn’t have anything to bring so I offered foot rubs instead
What a hit! 🙂
My mother’s broccoli salad, or puff pastry squares with whatever (jam/cheese/smoked fish/pizza dabs) on top.
This time of year, I like to make a big macaroni and cheese dish, or a pan of brownies.
I love to take Orzo salad to potlucks,it always seems to be devoured no matter how much I make 🙂
I browse the bookstore about once a month and spend my time in the cookbook area. I’m drawn to ones like Alana’s the pictures and the type. I’m all for a homemade type recipes using the freshest ingredients. This is an amazing gift, thank you so much for the chance
My favorite potluck dish, is my mom’s recipe for Chicken Cacciatore
Favorite potluck item, I like to make green chicken curry. Feeds a lot and tastes amazing!
Over the years my go to favorite potluck dish has evolved, current favorites for autumn are fresh picked apples in an apple crisp and a large pan of warm deep dish brownies. For a filling warm dish I frequently bring a large hot baking pan of scalloped potatoes and onions.
My favorite thing to take is Cucumber Triangles. They are easy to make & the ingredients are available year round! 🙂
My best friend bob’s French potato salad. We go to potlucks together and he brings the food.
Homemade hummus when I’m not sure there will be lots of vegetarian options, brownies (classic Baker’s one-bowl) when dessert is a better choice.
I usually make a pasta salad…it can be served at room temp if necessary and everyone seems to enjoy it.
For a autumn potluck I make a layered casserole of quinoa, delicata squash (no peeling!), sliced fresh mushrooms, greens (kale, chard, spinach, whatever), topped with Parmesan breadcrumbs. If the crowd is vegan or gluten free, I substitute toasted quinoa and/or ground, smokey nuts as topping. It’s great hot, room temp, and even better the next day!
That sounds amazing!
Chili always tends to be my go to pot luck dish, especially this time of year.
I love potato salad or I love an adapted broccoli salad. I think any time you get to take food somewhere and get to eat a variety then that’s where I want to be lol!
I’ve taken all kinds of thing for potlucks… but this time of year, I usually take my homemade pumpkin muffins or apple pie. Later in the fall/early winter, my gingerbread is is high demand for family and friends potlucks… I love taking old recipes and making them nutritionally dense, and just as tasty as they always were.
2 bottles of champagne and 2 bottles of a good red wine are always hits at a potluck!! Plus they go with everything.
Other favorites include carrot cake with golden raisins and cream cheese frosting-at least carrot cake sounds healthy!!
My favorite side is a creamy cheesey polenta- complements almost any dish and gluten free!
Honestly, I enjoy cooking so much I usually ask the host/hostess what to bring and then find a killer recipe to fit the request.
Lately I’ve been bringing a big batch of chick pea and cauliflower curry-healthy and warm for chilly fall evenings.
hmm fave potluck dish has to be either hummus and veg platter or ginger chickpeas. The hummus is just so classic and there always seems to be a shortage of snacking veg at a potluck!
I have been bringing along a chicken southwestern chili over the last few years…..goes over well and is relatively healthy to boot.
Favorite potluck dish? My family pushes for sweet and sour meatballs; I love an old fashioned bean salad with diced red and green bell peppers for color and crunch. Thanks for lots of fun and practical giveaways.
My favorite potluck dish is homemade jam. Either a fruit jam with bread & cheeses or a jalapeño jelly on top of cream cheese with crackers. Bonus if there’s time for homemade cream cheese!
We have a lot of pot luck lunches at my workplace, so I don’t really have a signature dish. However, my co-workers love it when I bring a giant sandwich piled high with lots of toppings (caramelized onions, olive salad, roasted red peppers, etc.)