I recently learned that coconut cream pie is one of my Louisiana friend’s favorite desserts, so of course I’m going to make at least one of those. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell
Earlier this month I launched the Lost Supper Club, which is mostly an excuse to have dinner with people as we travel around the country. :-)
One of the Lost Supper Club events will be in the New Orleans area in the home of, I am not over exaggerating here, the QUEEN of southern entertaining. It’s going to be a Party with a capital P - but she’s doing something she doesn’t usually do when she throws a party: She’s invited guests to bring a favorite dish that shows off Louisiana cooking.
My contribution to this shindig is dessert (my comfort zone) but I’ve been thinking about what I would bring if I was invited to a potluck-style party and really wanted to put my best foot forward, so to speak. So, naturally, I want to ask you the same thing:
What is your go-to crowd pleasing potluck dish? The thing you make that everyone goes crazy for?
Also - do any of you live in the New Orleans/ Covington area of Louisiana and want to come to a party???
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Ooh, this is difficult. Mostly because I am always experimenting and getting friends and family to try new dishes...
I was going to say a classic British roast. But you can't really bring that to a party.
And then I realized, of course, it's a box of my macarons. They always disappear and I get asked for them again and again. Generally for sharp fruity flavours; blackcurrant, raspberry, lemon or orange curd.
Hmmm, this is tricky. Given my sweet tooth and love of baking I’m usually in charge of bringing a sweet treat. And Claire Ptak’s Rye Brownies with Sea Salt always go down a treat!
Unfortunately, I live in E Tenn, too far from NOLA... My fav potluck dish is Chicken Pot Pie; it always gets rave reviews and I come home with an empty dish. Next is Sausage, Peppers and Onions w/provolone melted on a grinder. Now, I'm going to have to cook one of these this weekend!
I blend evoo with fresh juice from the blood oranges and a little apple cider vinegar with salt. Then sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, toasted pine nuts and fresh orange-juice-soaked raisins. Such great texture mix. Slice the fennel as thin as possible, if you have a mandolin, use it!
Mood, season, occasion, ask—all play into the choice! For apps, I love to bring a spicy pimento cheese dip, always with Ritz crackers, or a very rich smoked trout dip that can double as “butter” for whatever bread is being served.
A salad might be tomatoes, corn and peaches, or a raw “marinated” broccoli, where the florets are as addictive as potato chips.
For dessert, rhubarb upside down cake or my absolute fave—hummingbird cake. Spectacular and spectacularly easy 😊.
Um, trout dip that can double as butter??? Yes, please and with a slice of that rhubarb cake thankyouverymuch. I also wish you lived closer and could join the party!!!
For appetizers, I like to bring a platter with a block of cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly and crackers on the side. This is gone in no time. For a side, I like to bring a salad which can vary depending on the main course.
I love this idea! I grew up going to potlucks organized by my mother’s friends at least once a week. It was always exciting to get a glimpse at what other families liked to make and to taste something different. My mom would make a really creamy tray of scalloped potatoes, or bring some sort of apple crumble.
These days, I think potlucks are brilliant for large gatherings and take some of the pressure off of the host. I usually bring something like dark chocolate & tahini brownies or a crispy eggplant caprese salad, depending on the season.
Tell me more about that eggplant salad... is the eggplant breaded? Fried? How do you get it crispy? Also - I love the idea of a weekly potluck. And once a week is inspiring! Was it the same group of friends every week?
Oh, you will love this recipe! So I oven fry slices of panko/spiced eggplant in avocado oil in the oven. They come out sooooo crispy! Then layer with tomatoes, basil, and creamy mozzarella. The recipe is in my cookbook!
Potlucks; it tended to be the same large group. The potlucks were often held after a night of contra-dancing (folkish dancing). My parents were hippies, so we did a lot of community activities!
It really depends on the vibe! If I have no direction from the host I like to bring a spiced cranberry bread or pumpkin loaf to hit the middle ground of sweet, savory, and filling.
I'm going with potato salad and I don't even LIKE potato salad 😂 It's my husband's favorite though and I always get asked for the recipe, so I guess it must be good!
First of all, can we talk about that pie??? I love coconut cream pie and that looks fall-over delicious! I'd say the potluck dish would be my arugula and baby spinach salad topped with fresh blueberries, blackberries, avocado, cucumber, almonds, and goat cheese. My friends call it the "spa salad," lol!
Haha! The pie doesn't suck. :-) I love, love, love a salad that includes both fruit, veggies and cheese! Maybe the next time I'm in socal, we should book a spa day where we bring our own lunch - you bring the salad and I'll bring the pie.
I am always turning friends on to Erin French’s (The Lost Kitchen in Maine) Rhubarb Spoon Cake — and it’s baked in a cast iron skillet! I never knew I liked rhubarb until I made it for my husband and it was delicious.
Ooh, this is difficult. Mostly because I am always experimenting and getting friends and family to try new dishes...
I was going to say a classic British roast. But you can't really bring that to a party.
And then I realized, of course, it's a box of my macarons. They always disappear and I get asked for them again and again. Generally for sharp fruity flavours; blackcurrant, raspberry, lemon or orange curd.
This New Orleans shindig sounds A.Maze.Ing.
Wanna come to the party? Admission will cost you one box of macarons. :-)
Hmmm, this is tricky. Given my sweet tooth and love of baking I’m usually in charge of bringing a sweet treat. And Claire Ptak’s Rye Brownies with Sea Salt always go down a treat!
It really is impossible to beat a good brownie, isn't it? Especially if they include salt!
Yes and for me they also need to be perfectly fudgey then I’m in heaven. And sea salt is a non-negotiable!
Seven layer dip! Always a winner!
I like the sound of that.
Always!
Unfortunately, I live in E Tenn, too far from NOLA... My fav potluck dish is Chicken Pot Pie; it always gets rave reviews and I come home with an empty dish. Next is Sausage, Peppers and Onions w/provolone melted on a grinder. Now, I'm going to have to cook one of these this weekend!
I would happily devour both of those meals any day. Delicious!
I almost always bring a salad! In summer, an Ottolenghi spinach with dates, almonds and buttery sumac pita chips. In winter, fennel and blood oranges.
Adding fennel and blood oranges to my shopping list. Do you dress it with a basic vinaigrette?
I blend evoo with fresh juice from the blood oranges and a little apple cider vinegar with salt. Then sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, toasted pine nuts and fresh orange-juice-soaked raisins. Such great texture mix. Slice the fennel as thin as possible, if you have a mandolin, use it!
I am going to make this as soon as I can get my hands on all the ingredients. Thank you!
Lmk what you think when you do! x
Mood, season, occasion, ask—all play into the choice! For apps, I love to bring a spicy pimento cheese dip, always with Ritz crackers, or a very rich smoked trout dip that can double as “butter” for whatever bread is being served.
A salad might be tomatoes, corn and peaches, or a raw “marinated” broccoli, where the florets are as addictive as potato chips.
For dessert, rhubarb upside down cake or my absolute fave—hummingbird cake. Spectacular and spectacularly easy 😊.
Wish I lived closer to join in on the fun!
Um, trout dip that can double as butter??? Yes, please and with a slice of that rhubarb cake thankyouverymuch. I also wish you lived closer and could join the party!!!
I looooove Hummingbird Cake, great choice!
For appetizers, I like to bring a platter with a block of cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly and crackers on the side. This is gone in no time. For a side, I like to bring a salad which can vary depending on the main course.
I love cream cheese topped with jalapeno jelly and have not had it in ages! Adding both items to my shopping list asap.
I love this idea! I grew up going to potlucks organized by my mother’s friends at least once a week. It was always exciting to get a glimpse at what other families liked to make and to taste something different. My mom would make a really creamy tray of scalloped potatoes, or bring some sort of apple crumble.
These days, I think potlucks are brilliant for large gatherings and take some of the pressure off of the host. I usually bring something like dark chocolate & tahini brownies or a crispy eggplant caprese salad, depending on the season.
Tell me more about that eggplant salad... is the eggplant breaded? Fried? How do you get it crispy? Also - I love the idea of a weekly potluck. And once a week is inspiring! Was it the same group of friends every week?
Oh, you will love this recipe! So I oven fry slices of panko/spiced eggplant in avocado oil in the oven. They come out sooooo crispy! Then layer with tomatoes, basil, and creamy mozzarella. The recipe is in my cookbook!
Potlucks; it tended to be the same large group. The potlucks were often held after a night of contra-dancing (folkish dancing). My parents were hippies, so we did a lot of community activities!
That sounds soooooo good! And I just ordered your book!
Omg!!! Thank you so much!! That is very very generous of you. ❤️ I hope you love it as much as I did making it.
It really depends on the vibe! If I have no direction from the host I like to bring a spiced cranberry bread or pumpkin loaf to hit the middle ground of sweet, savory, and filling.
If I were the host, I'd be pleased as punch with either of those options!
I'm going with potato salad and I don't even LIKE potato salad 😂 It's my husband's favorite though and I always get asked for the recipe, so I guess it must be good!
First of all, can we talk about that pie??? I love coconut cream pie and that looks fall-over delicious! I'd say the potluck dish would be my arugula and baby spinach salad topped with fresh blueberries, blackberries, avocado, cucumber, almonds, and goat cheese. My friends call it the "spa salad," lol!
Haha! The pie doesn't suck. :-) I love, love, love a salad that includes both fruit, veggies and cheese! Maybe the next time I'm in socal, we should book a spa day where we bring our own lunch - you bring the salad and I'll bring the pie.
This sounds like a FABULOUS idea!
I love, love New Orleans. Can I please come to the party?!
YES!!!! How much fun would that be???
You are too kind. Allllll welcome! 😘
I am always turning friends on to Erin French’s (The Lost Kitchen in Maine) Rhubarb Spoon Cake — and it’s baked in a cast iron skillet! I never knew I liked rhubarb until I made it for my husband and it was delicious.