The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food - and Lots of It - for Parties, Gatherings, and All Occasions [Paperback]

Maryana Vollstedt (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Big Book of | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Maryana Vollstedt, Queen of the best-selling Big Book series, has put the luck back in potluck with more than 250 delicious, no-nonsense recipes. From Chile Cheese Wheels and citrusy Sunburst Salad, to Moroccan Chicken with Dates and Couscous and luscious Hazelnut-Cappuccino Cake, these crowd-pleasing dishes are perfect for toting to family reunions, book clubs, showers, church suppers, picnics, and parties galore - and have everyone begging for the recipe. With tips for streamlining preparation and suggestions for transporting treats safely, this heartwarming cookbook guarantees that dish will go home empty!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vollstedt (Big Book of Soups & Stews; Big Book of Casseroles; etc.) is no stranger to the single dish, and she knows party-size portions. The Oregon-based author offers tips on throwing a potluck ("give yourself enough time to plan") as well as guidelines for hosting or attending events including church parties, picnics or at-home celebrations. With more than 275 recipes, her helpful book offers an abundant selection of hors d'oeuvres, including fancy spreads (e.g., Greek Cheese Spread with Roasted Red Pepper on Toasted Pita Wedges; White Bean and Garlic Purée) and dips (Fresh Herbs and Walnut), and more traditional platters, such as Party Deviled Eggs. In addition to great salads (e.g,. Chicken Curry Salad with Chutney Dressing), Vollstedt's casseroles and other baked dishes stand out, with such crowd-pleasers as End-of-Summer Vegetable and Fresh Herb Casserole; Beef Enchiladas; and Ziti with Tomatoes, Artichokes, Basil, Cheese, and Olives.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Maryana Vollstedt is the author of more than a dozen cookbooks, including The Big Book of Soups & Stews , The Big Book of Casseroles , What s for Dinner? , and Pacific Fresh . She lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811838188
• ISBN-13: 978-0811838184
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maryana Vollstedt has written several Chronicle cookbooks in the Big Book series. She lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic, but good, December 23, 2004

By 

Dave Faris (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food - and Lots of It - for Parties, Gatherings, and All Occasions (Paperback)

After some not so successful experiments with dishes at a recent family gathering, I decided to pick this one up. It's certainly not full of gourmet fare, but its full of the sort of thing everyone loves and remembers from when they were kids... familiar, stick-to-your-ribs recipes. Though the food is geared towards crowds (most recipes serve 6-8 people, so they're definitely going to be leftovers in our house when I make them). None of the recipes are complex, nor do they require outlandish ingredients, and are well within the grasp of all but the most inept chefs. This is a good, basic cookbook that anyone who enjoys cooking for a crowd would love.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Would have liked it with pictures, February 5, 2008

By 

R. Cooper (Utah USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food - and Lots of It - for Parties, Gatherings, and All Occasions (Paperback)

Lots of good recipes but not a picture in the book if you like a picture now and then this ones not for you, Now if you can get along without them its a good book lots to make easy I seem to have most of the ingredients right in the pantry. I would have given it 5 stars if it had a few pictures.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YUM YUM YUM, September 10, 2005

By 

Captain Fun "Chris" (Placerville, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food - and Lots of It - for Parties, Gatherings, and All Occasions (Paperback)

Few items purchased nowadays live up to expectations. This is a delightful exception. The receipes are well done, simple, tasty, and there is plenty of variety. Want to minimize your time in the kitchen? Want quality eats? Get this book!