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 potluck dish to take has become a huge salad – I have a big lightweight salad bowl – with fresh herbs and a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. I make wonderful salads – don’t think many people do – so this is always a hit.
Potlucks are fun, but challenging for our family who likes to try everything. My dad is famous for his “a little of each” rule when it comes to which foods to eat! Traditional green bean casserole is a favorite, but another popular dish was a knock off of whole foods orzo pasta salad.
Macaroni and cheese–crock pot style!
Baked beans because if I don’t take them everyone wonders why. I also like to add a sauerkraut that I cook in the slow cooker with half a head of cabbage and some roasted sausage.
A cheese plate with honey from my hive and habanero peach preserves.
For church potlucks I always make polish sausage and sauerkraut. It’s usually completely gone when we leave 🙂
I am the person who likes to bring vegetables to a potluck – something to balance out the rich foods that often show up. One favorite is a massaged kale salad prepared a day ahead so that the kale is less fibrous. Another is mashed potatoes for the gluten-free crowd.
I love to bake, so if possible, I bring a dessert. Carrot cake, lemon-zucchini pound cake, my grandmother’s plum cake. The list is long!
I don’t really have a go-to dish… I try to stick with a theme if there is one, otherwise my husband usually asks for something out of my repertoire.
I like to bring something a little out of the ordinary. One of my favorites sauerkraut, apple & onion, with smoked sausage. A sort of German-inspired stir-fry. I admit I am a little too liberal with the caraway seasoning….
My favorite poluck item right now is home grown sweet corn I freeze every summer. My family loves the sweet corn and always asks if I added suger. if you get it picked and processed the same day, it tastes super sweet. All I do is add butter to the pan of frozen corn and it is delish!
My go to is chocolate chip cookies made from my grandmothers old, time tested recipe. If dessert isn’t an option I’ll usually make a cold pasta salad with lots of fresh veggies, grilled chicken and a good vinaigrette. Yum! Thanks for the giveaway, the book looks fantastic!
I love variety so I usually try to bring something different except to one annual holiday party; roasted brussel sprouts by request.
My go-to potluck dish is The Pioneer Woman’s Pantry Lasagna…so simple and so delicious! It disappears in a flash!
My favorite go-to pot luck item is bacon blue cheese cole slaw.
I would really like to have this book!
Noodle kugel…it’s a bit decadent, new dish to many people but comfy flavors, and can serve as side or dessert.
I love devilled eggs! For some reason, I never think to make them at home so they become a special treat!
My most loved potluck dish is a dessert: peppermint patties. I make them for all holiday family gatherings and even make extra so people can take them home.
Depending on who will be at the potluck and the season, but a few of my favorites are homemade buns, something I have pickled (usually Dilly Beans), or deviled eggs (from my chickens).
This time of year I like to take sliced apples and pears with my 3 ingredient caramel dip. Yummy!
I like to bring hummus or another bean dip! So important to have a healthy dish for nibbling.
Baked mac and cheese – always a crowd pleaser!
If possible I always take a cake because my paternal Grandmother taught me to bake cakes and it is my best cooking skill. I know the rules and I know which ones can be bent and still get a delicious cake.
I usually just bring a big salad… I know boring….
Bean dip or pot stickers!
Baked spaghetti
I love to take baked beans or coleslaw to potlucks.
Recently I’ve liked bringing black bean and zucchini enchiladas. They’re vegetarian, use frozen zucchini shreds I saved from the summer, and individual portions of leftovers freeze well.
I like to bring pickled beets, because I always want to eat them. Usually I end up converting a few people who thought they hated beets, but even if no one else wants them, my two- and three-year-old daughters and I can finish off a pint pretty quickly!
This looks like a delightful book. My favorite dish to bring to potlucks is paleo chocolate chip cookies or another allergy-safe dessert. My son has food intolerances and my sister-in-law has celiac disease, so I am sensitive to people with a restricted diet and like to bring something that they can enjoy. I also like showing people that gluten, soy and dairy free desserts can be just as tasty as ‘regular’ ones.
Baked tomatoes, shallots, shrimp and feta
I love the look of this book! I’m the one to bring dips to a potluck most of the time. My favorite is a cream cheese and roasted tomato dip that’s cooked and kept warm in my small crock pot. Serve that with a sliced baguette – it’ll be gone quickly.
My safe bet is usually homemade mini pies with homemade jam for the filling. You can either change the filling depending on season or have a nice summer surprise in the dead of winter.
We have a lot of potluck dinners in this neighbourhood. There aren’t many weeks where I am not making an extra loaf of bread or a lazy daisy cake to share with friends. Thank you for your work.
I have a few goto’s, depending upon the occasion. Chili, cheesy vegetables, and five bean casserole are among the favorites.
Pound cake, so easy and delicious!
i usually bring a salad (greens with seasonal fruit& cheese) or the fabulous brownies from the Moosewood cookbook made with good chocolate.
I always love to bring dessert….almond bars are a hit, but recently I made a Middle Eastern salad with chickpeas, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, a tangy dressing that was just wonderful!
any type of dessert
I’m a sucker for salads. My favorite is a curried chicken salad.
I love bringing a super flavorful slaw. It can go with almost anything and always makes me happy to have something bright and fresh to eat.
Home made mac and cheese – !!!!!
My potluck go to is a seasonal dessert. I also have been bringing some cheese and crackers, with matching preserves from the summer canning! Always a big hit!
A good artisan bread and some cheese and grapes!
Thanks for the giveaway.
My favorite thing to bring to a potluck is homemade rolls.
I love to bring a slab pie with whatever fruit is in season. It’s nice to not be slaving over the stove right before leaving for a party, and homemade pie is always special.
I love using mac and cheese as a base for potlucks. The many options of pasta and cheese set up a nice base. I change up the flavor profile base on my mood or the occasion- Latin with rotated poblanos and roasted cherry tomatoes, or a salute to autumn with purred butternut squash and kale.
If it is a vegetable dish, the children always ask for my Potato Salad. If it’s dessert, “Mom, will you please bring your Pecan Pie or Mississippi Mud Cake.”
Individual chicken pot pies which can be enjoyed as an appetizer, A main course. they also make a great thank you gift for the host do you enjoy later!