What Can I Bring?

If everyone brings a dish, it makes for a win-win party. This is the book that will help you decide what to take to a gathering, potluck, or dinner party with friends. The title is the phrase you say almost instinctively when asked to a get-together. “What Can I Bring?” But what if after you ask that question, you have no idea what to bring. This multi-purpose, workhorse of a book, offers 200 recipes that travel well, and I offer tote notes for every recipe. From appetizers to desserts, main dishes to take or main dishes to make when you host the party, plenty of sides, dazzlings salads, and eye-catching appetizers as well as homemade gift ideas from the kitchen, you will take food to parties now with confidence.

Most popular recipes: There are so many. Deborah’s Hot Spinach Dip, Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing, Judy’s Mom’s Meatloaf, the Ham and Cheese Overnight Souffle we serve every Christmas morning, Susan’s Chicken Potpie, Barbara’s Oatmeal Cookies, Nashville Fudge Pie, these are just a few of the recipes we love.

Why I wrote this book: I knew in the South that bringing a dish is a part of the local culture. After traveling the country on book tour, I realized other regions of the country also have this tradition. And, I found younger people regularly potluck because it is a less expensive way to entertain. I wanted to provide some fresh new recipes for everyone who enjoys taking food to others.

Favorite cooking tip in the book: As a makeshift cover for a freshly frosted cake, create a plastic wrap tent so the frosting won’t pull off the icing. Stick four toothpicks into the top of a cake, and drape a piece of plastic wrap over the top to create a tarp. The cake remains covered during transit, and the frosting remains intact.