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.
Depends on the potluck. Casual party with snacks? Some sort of cheese plate with really good cheese (not the CostCo party platter). Brunch? Either homemade English muffins or a sausage/cheese/sourdough brunch casserole. Lunch/Dinner potluck? I’ll probably a black & white bean/corn salsa side dish.
Great book! My favorite potluck dish depends on time of year. My grandsons request mac& cheese. But my favorite is during peck of cucumber season …..make a big batch of refrigerator dill pickles and take in my huge vintage glass jar. Add a set of tongs to fish out the one you want. Heaven. There is always room for a cold, crisp pickle. Put my name into the hat for this book. Thanks.
I usually go for a savoury bread pudding.
My favorite potluck dish is a kale-quinoa salad with lots of fruit, nuts, cheese, and herbs.
My favorite potluck is anything my granddaughter will eat. She is 3. Loves cheese and Vegetables. Sometimes a simple vegetables and fruit platter with dip will do. Ty for the chance
My favorite pot luck offerings are chile enchiladas & seven-layer cookies.
Often times it is a dairy kugel – noodles, cottage cheese, yogurt and raisins. Lately it’s been a “broccoli pie” – cottage cheese, parm cheese, cheddar cheese, frozen broccoli chopped fine, farm fresh eggs.
I love to bring chili or lasagna. They’re things that I’ve figured out how to make easily, and people are so excited when you bring them. But if I don’t have time, it’s cheese and a selection of things I’ve canned (pickles, chutneys, jams, etc.).
Roasted root vegetables and some fresh baked bread
I have a curried rice salad that I like to make for potlucks. It is easy and delicious.
I am the dessert queen so I usually bring a couple different options, one for the kids and one for the adults. Adults might get a unique pie or tart, like sweet potato or pear, and the kids get something fun, like mummy pretzel sticks or boston cream cupcakes. Now that the weather is turning colder I’m looking forward to more potluck suppers with friends!
I love my Aunt Glor’s Broccoli Shmutz – it’s an embarrassingly easy combination of broccoli, Ritz crackers, and Velveeta, among other things. At least the broccoli makes it healthy… right?
My favorite potluck dish is anything I can bake, like cakes, pies, breads. Since there’s only me living in my house (whooohoo! The kids are grown!) any time I bake anything, I’m eating it forever and ever and ever. Potlucks give me the opportunity to bake and enjoy some, without the forever cycle.
I usually make a salad for these events.
I know they aren’t fancy but I love the little meatballs in the sauce that’s made with bbq and grape jelly. So retro and delicious!
Cheese and fruit plate, with good crackers and bread.
Brownies or black bean salad
Swedish meatballs unless I’m told to bring dessert then it could be anything!
Shepherd’s Pie. Always a favorite and easy to adapt with seasonal vegies.I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes for the top.
I don’t really have a go-to. I like to mix it up!
I often bring salads to pot lucks, and customize them depending upon the season. I also often bring homemade chutney or jam (from FIJ recipes!) on a crostini with fresh goat cheese. I love Alana’s first book and would love to get the new one!
My favorite potluck dish is muffins from The Tassajara Bread Book… Always different and always good. Lots of dried fruit and mixed flours, especially rice flour and some corn or buckwheat; nutmeg, cardamon and a touch of ground cloves.These are crowd pleasers.
Hmmm. My go-to to make is a corn casserole/spoon bread thing. My fave to sample at a pot luck would be baked beans. Will try them any possible way. Yum!
I love doing a three-bean salad. It often turns into a 6 bean salad – I like that it’s flexible. Plus, vegetables! And my kids love it.
Whenever I have to go to a potluck, I always go the dessert route (even if I’m told to bring a salad or a side…what can I say, I’m a rebel!) The last potluck I went to, which was in August, I made this cake from Sweetapolita: http://sweetapolita.com/2011/02/campfire-delight-6-layer-rich-chocolate-malted-toasted-marshmallow-cake/ It was a hit! If it’s an autumn potluck I usually opt for pie or a nice crisp.
While I love baking, I always end up bringing a salad. Deb’s kale salad from her cookbook is one of my favorites.
For Autumn, my favorite pot-luck dish are my homemade pumpkin fritters! I make my own roasted pumpkin puree and fry them up in my trusty cast iron skillet. They translate well with gluten-free flour as well, so I can make sure all of my family members can have some!
My all time favorite is an Oriental Salad made with crunchy ramen, almonds and sesame seeds browned in butter, mixed in with chopped Napa cabbage and topped with a sweet dressing. It is necessary to put together on site but oh so worth the effort!
My favorite pot luck dish is a farfalle pasta dish with grapes, tomatoes and a balsamic dressing. It can be served warm or cold and always tastes better the next day.
I try to be aware of eating preferences and any sensitivities when making a potluck dish. I always bring a label with ingredients. Due to the preponderance of spaghetti squash in my garden my latest potluck dish is stuffed spaghetti squash with all those yummy summer veggies in a sauce. Vegan (unless I add cheese) and gluten free…and delicious!
Sweet potato casserole. I get asked to make it at church potlucks. It is delicious.
Walnut Lentil Pate!
I am usually asked to bring home baked Challah to any gathering. : )
While I don’t have a potluck go-to dish, I suppose my signature dish to pass/share is my homemade jalapeño jelly on cream cheese with triscuits. I can’t show up at a holiday or family gathering without it!
My favorite cool season potluck dish uses just four ingredients, chicken, corn, black beans and Pace salsa, cooked up in a crockpot. Have been asked for the recipe many times, so it must be a winner.
Wow – thanks for doing this! My favourite potluck dish is usually a variety of hummus flavours plus some home made pita chips
Rhubarb crisp.
Main dish, Chicken and noodles and for desert, peach cobbler.
My carrot salad made with pecans and pineapple is always a hit, along with a giant plate of cookies!!
I like to bring hot German potato salad. It’s hearty and can be served warm in a crock pot or at room temperature.
What a great prize, thank you for the opportunity to win this gorgeous book! The potlucks I’ve been to were always heavy on pasta dishes so I always tried to bring something different that would feed a lot of people. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs cooked in the crockpot with brown rice was my go-to, I had a few different seasonings…Mexican, Italian, Moroccan…and there were never leftovers.
(Pick me, please! lol)
Sue Blando
My favorite potluck dish is either Japchae …so many haven’t had Korean food before, which makes it fun!
Cowboy caviar with big chunks of avocado. It’s sure to be a hit!
I love to make red lentil dal for a potluck! People are always curious about it, and it’s mild enough that most like it 🙂
My favorite bring-along is a big tray of pepperoni rolls with sauce for dipping.
Taco salad is my husband’s favorites that I bring to potlucks.
Everyone always wants the Baked Zita at the potluck…Thanks for the chance to win the book…
I love bringing homemade bread to potlucks, especially with a spread like zucchini butter!
Smoky sweet potato salad in the summer and some sort of soup or winter squash casserole in the fall/winter!
I don’t know why, but I always go the appetizer or dessert route! Gougeres are easy, but delectable little cheese rolls that everyone seems to love, and my go-to dessert is olive oil cake: delicious, light and definitely not from a box! Alana’s book looks lovely– Please pass along my sentiment that her photos and fonts are incredibly pleasing to the eye. <3