Intro
*We’re giving away a copy of Modern Potluck! Leave a comment to enter.
It seems were on a bit of a trend with last week’s post and this week’s: How to feed people without losing your mind.
In her new book, Modern Potluck, Kristin Donnelly writes, “Like most people who write cookbooks, my greatest wish is to bring people together around food in a way that’s as easy and fun as possible. The secret to doing this is to share the work with your guests. And, as it turns out, guests love it that way, too.”
Kristin, after having her first child, felt her social life slipping away as the thought of fancy dinner parties like the ones she wrote about in Food & Wine seemed out of the question, as did going out to restaurants. It was then she remembered the potlucks of her own childhood. “What a brilliant idea!” She writes. “I could focus my energy on making one dish and get a full meal in return, all the while hanging out with my friends or meeting my neighbors.”
I remember potlucks from my childhood too, like Kristin I adore the idea of them, but the food doesn’t appeal to me in the same way it did then. I once loved those miniature cocktail hot dogs simmered in a crock pot filled with grape jelly and ketchup. They don’t excite me in the same way today. There are no long-simmered grape jelly hot dogs in Modern Potluck, instead Kristin writes of Green Bean Salads with chiles and walnuts, Cornmeal-Crusted Oven-Fried chicken, Pumpkin Beer-and-Turkey Chili, and Caramelized Kimchi Corn Bread. Not the sort of potluck food I remember but exactly the sort of potluck food I want.
Her point is to gather and she’s giving us the easy-to-follow road map for how to do so.
*A winner has been selected and notified. Thanks so much to all of you who entered.
Of course you could always ditch the idea of a large gathering and simply make these recipes for your family. That’s exactly what I did with these Late-Summer Vegetable Enchiladas. It was the first time in awhile where dinner was more than a doctored up bean salad or something – anything – stuffed into a tortilla. And while we are a family of five and the appetites of my littles have grown right alongside them we still were able to enjoy leftovers for days. Potluck or not, the recipes inspire and are right in line with how I want to eat everyday.
To celebrate this stunning new book I would love to send a copy to one of you. Simply leave a comment below and I’ll choose a winner by next Friday, September 2. (HOW IS IT SEPTEMBER NEXT WEEK?!)
In the meantime go raid the garden or the market for all that zucchini and enjoy some enchiladas.
Late-Summer Vegetable Enchilada Pie
from Modern Potluck
Serves 8 to 16
For the sauce:
1 1/2 ounces dried Ancho Chiles (2 to 3)
1 cup boiling water
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the filling and pie:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
2 teaspoons mild curry powder
1 pound zucchini or other summer squash, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
2 medium ears of corn, kernels cut from the cobs (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 3/4 cups cooked black or pinto beans or 1 (15-ounce) can, drained
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
12 (6 to 7-inch) corn tortillas
1 1/4 pound Monterey jack cheese, grated (5 to 6 cups)
Make the sauce: In a large, deep skillet, toast the anchos over medium-high heat, turning frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. When they’re cool enough to handle, stem the chiles and shake out the seeds, tipping the chiles if you have to. Transfer the chiles to a blender (or a cup that’s heat-safe if your blender jar is not) and cover with the boiling water; let stand until softened and cooled. Add the tomatoes and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Make the filling and assemble the pie: In the same skillet used to toast the anchos, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeños and cook until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring, until tender but not mushy, about 5 minutes. Add the corn and beans and cook, mashing the beans slightly, until hot and stir in the lime juice and 1/2 cup of the cilantro.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the pan (about 1/2 cup). Arrange one-third of the tortillas in the baking dish, tearing them in half as necessary to create an even layer. Spoon half of the filling over the tortillas and top with one-third of the cheese. Top the cheese with another layer of tortillas, followed by half of the remaining sauce, the rest of the filling, and another one-third of the cheese. Finally, layer more tortillas, followed by the remaining sauce and the remaining cheese.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the edges are starting to brown. Let cool for 10 minutes, and then serve.
A few things to note: I cut down on the amount of jalapeños from two to one as my children are quite spice averse. I also skipped the curry powder and added a bit of cumin a touch of chipotle powder instead. In place of jack cheese I used sharp cheddar as that’s what I had on hand. The best recipes are adaptable – this one was perfect.
I’ve been seeing this book pop up everywhere and the recipes sound fantastic. I’m inspired to have a potluck gathering soon.
Would love a copy of this book. Paged through it on Amazon and it looks great!
I truly understand the comeback of potluck dinners. It’s not just the time in your life when you have little ones, it’s also the time when you have bigger ones and you’re constantly running to take them to every activity under the sun!! It’s also the time in your life when formal dining gives way to you being you, letting your hair down, not getting together to make connections or impress, except those of a personal, true and honest nature…………
I love your website Ashley! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi Ashley!
This book sounds wonderful! I’d love to try a copy! 🙂
Molly
Beautiful veggie pie! We entertain quite often so would love some new inspiration!
I need to host a dinner party just so I can make this. It looks so delicious. I would love a copy of this beautiful book. I know it will be well loved in my house!
Just sounds like heaven in a tortilla! Thanks for the recipe and chance to win!
This sounds delicious! Zucchini by the bucket load here. Happy to find new ways to use it. We can only eat so much zucchini bread.
As a beyond organic avocado farmer, I’d love to have this cookbook to see more yummy ways to share my blissful avocados!
As a beyond organic avocado farmer, I’d love to have the cookbook to discover more ways to share our avocado bliss!
This looks scrumptious!! I would love to make it soon and take a peek at that book too!
these look wonderful, and I love that they could be adapted for vegans and omnivores alike!
We have just had our first child, and though I am basking in the joy of all that it brings, I find myself longing (just a little 😃) for those days my husband and I would spend in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and foods. I would love to check that book out!
Since Mexican or faux-Mexican cuisine is unknown in these parts, and since late-summer vegetables can be had until December, I will save this recipe to try out on my French neighbors when the weather turns cooler. Right now is no time to light an oven.
So many beautiful salads, slow cooked foods, and casseroles all rolled up into one great compilation. I can’t wait to try the recipes!
Love your website. thanks for this giveaway chance
Love your website
The recipe looks fabulous, and the cookbook is gorgeous!
This looks delicious! I am always looking for good vegetarian recipes. Can’t wait to try it!
This looks delicious! I would love a copy of this book!
this looks delicious!
Potlucks are one of my favorite ways to bring people together.
these look fabulous! and cheddar is always better 😉
I love lasagna and I love enchiladas so I’m sure I’ll like this. Looks pretty easy to put together. (And the cookbook looks good too.)
Was bummed to miss her event at the Book Larder. So cool to see her book profiled here – the recipes you mentioned sound delish!
I completely agree with you on revolutionizing the food served at potlucks! The recipes in the Modern Potluck sound fantastic!
These enchiladas look delicious! I would love the book, thanks for the chance!
This recipe looks amazing…and so does that cookbook!
Wow! This dish looks delicious-and a fantastic way to use summers bounty! Kristin Donnelly’s book Modern Potluck sounds wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
This dish looks delicious – and right up my alley! I’d gladly make this to enjoy myself.
Can’t wait to try this out!
Everything looks so good! I grew up in an enormous family and now have to work hard to only cook for my small one, so this might be a reversion to my old habits… all the more reason to throw an impromptu block party!
What a great book. Looks lovely!
I would love this!!!
Thank you for sharing! I’m always on the hunt for simplicity. With 3 kids ages 5 and under, I need something that looks and tastes great. As the co-chair of the Mom’s Group at our church, there are so many events where I have to wow people with a dish. This looks like just the book for me to share with all my Mommy friends in Atlanta! Keeping my fingers crossed to win! Thank you for all of your wonderful words and recipes Ashley!
Pot luck dinners with friends are a favorite of mine – low key, easy recipes, everyone brings something of their own… I’m the one who is always bringing desserts 🙂 These enchiladas look delicious!
What a great idea for a cookbook! This enchilada pie is perfect!
Yuuuummmm. I love taco/burrito/enchilada anything and I love late summer vegetables. Can’t wait to make this happen!
Love recipes like this! Most of my family members don’t eat gluten so we make a similar version to this and call it ‘taco lasagne’. I also make an enchilada bake using a cornmeal mixture crust, and they are both super hits with even the pickiest people in my house. You are so right that “the best recipes are adaptable” once you know the method you can make a meal out of whatever you have at home.
Holy moly, this is perfect timing. I could really use this book. We just moved to a new state and we’re starting to go to neighborhood parties and get togethers. Totally fun! The first one is this Saturday.
Yum! We just switched to the potluck format for our dinner club! Much less work for the host and so fun for everyone to make an extra fancy side to bring. I made your tomato tart for it last week.
This looks so fantastic!
Weeknight casserole dinner to celebrate back to school with a Mexican flair.. . what’s not to like?
I sooo wish I had some of this for dinner!!
Yum!
I’m not fond of the mini hot dogs w/grape jelly either although I’d happily devour a hot dog on a bun with stadium mustard, coleslaw, and chili sauce! This cookbook looks great. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.
Looks amazing!
I am sending this on to my daughter-perfect for her bountiful garden and back to school dinner time.
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to make it!
This looks like a summer yummy way to use up some squash.
Potlucks are the best. I dearly want to get in the habit of weekly gathering friends around food.
My birthday is in just a few weeks, and one of my goals for the next year is to host/entertain more. I would absolutely love this book to help me on my way! This recipe alone looks fantastic!
This recipe looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing!!! I started following you after seeing you at Floret’s workshops.
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it! I’m always looking for simple dishes for entertaining and now I have the chance to win a cookbook full of recipes like this?! AWESOME! The only thing better would be if I could reach my hand into the screen and take a bite of this!
oh my, this looks like the perfect way to transition right into fall!! lovely pictures as always. I will have to pick up Modern Potluck 🙂
This recipe looks yummy!!! I wonder love a copy of this book! Thank you!!!
Looks fantastic!
I grew up in rural Montana…potlucks are our love language. I have yet, however, to find my perfect potluck dish, and as a homeschooling mom of three I desperately need some good family recipes!
That looks delicious!
This book looks so great! Perfect as it seems I’m always attending some potluck and looking for the best recipes.
This looks like such a lovely un-fussy but still fancy summer feast! We have had the oddest winter here in Aus, felt like summer last week but parts are getting snow again this week. It fooled us into thinking summer was on it’s way so now I’m craving all things summer… which as of now, includes this enchilada pie! 🙂 x
Being Southern Baptist and in Louisiana, potluck is part of our theology! Hahahahaha
This recipe looks like a good one!
Love cookbooks❣
This came at such a great time- I’m always at a loss with what to serve large groups. Thank you!
Hi Ashley! This would be great for our church potluck!! I would love a copy of this cookbook!!!
looks delicious! and i second that, how is september next week??!
Oh wow. Yummy. I need to visit the farmers market again today so I can make this tomorrow!
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it for my family
The book and recipe look yummy, and I have all the ingredients!
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
I flipped through this book recently and would love to add it to my library! Love when a cookbook is inspiring for weeknight meals.
Great recipe!
This looks delicious. I would love to check out the cookbook.
I’ve been making a green chile version of this for several years, can’t wait to try a new recipe and shake things up!!!
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sounds totally brilliant. thanks for sharing such a nice one!
What a delicious sounding recipe — and I love the cookbook concept!
This looks incredible!!
This looks incredible! yum
Delicious
This book sounds full of things I’d want to cook, or have others cook for me!
Yes. It’s about time we freshened up potluck food. Date Night In is absolutely my favorite cookbook, but I would love to add this one to my collection!
Ashley! I love your blog. The recipes are fantastic, easy to follow, and absolutely beautiful. You inspire me to work harder and enjoy more. Thank you!! Your cookbook would be an excellent bday present 🙂 (sept 3rd!!)
Looks yummy! Thank you for sharing this!
This looks like a recipe our whole family would enjoy! Looks very yummy!
I love potlucks! And throwing a bunch of things together in one dish. Also – your blog=so great. 🙂
I don’t think my last comment worked, but sorry if I posted twice! I love potlucks and throwing a bunch of food together in one dish. And I love this blog. So good.
I think potlucks are the only way to do dinner! why should one person stress when we can share the load and get creative??
Looks delicious…uncomplicated and tasty. Thanks for sharing.
Love your posts! Thanks!
Love your site! Thanks for the giveaway chance!
My mom used to make something similar to this when we were growing up. She is a great cook who had 4 kids at home and so I’m sure that this recipe is great as well and is perfect for a group!
Potlucks are a common occurrence in military life!
I don’t even usually like enchiladas but these look gorgeous AND delicious! I’d love a copy of the book to see what else is in store!
my mouth is literally watering looking at this photo. need to make these ASAP!!
Love all the summer veggies in here! All home cooks need recipes that use up zucchini and corn this time of year – thanks for sharing!
These look wonderful and a perfect use for all of the produce that I have sitting in my kitchen now. Looking forward to trying!
Beautifully photographed. Thanks for sharing a recipe from the book.
Thank you for the giveaway..
These look divine! I always struggle with what to bring to a potluck. I’ve seen snippets of this book, and this will definitely bring inspiration!
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Yay for giveaways!
Looks great. Would love to have this book and cook for all my friends.
This looks amazing and a perfect dish for our upcoming book club. Thanks for all the yummy and delish recipies on your blog!
I too would love a copy of your book! I’m sure it’s filled with more wonderful surprises!
Great giveaway!! & this recipe looks amazing, too!! 😉
I love potlucks and agree about wanting them to be less ‘Midwestern/childhood/slop’ and food as good as a 3 course meal.
This looks beautiful.
This looks so good and just in time for garden squash overload.
This looks delicious and like something my meat loving husband would even enjoy!
This cookbook looks amazing!
I’d love to try the book- yummy!
The recipes look perfect for a big family meal, too!
The sauce is so simple but sounds so delicious! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
Looks delicious and I have everything in house…so we have new plans for dinner tonight.
I recently started a cookbook club with a few friends who love food, and their friends who love food, and their friends who love food. It’s part of a quest to make new friends in this funny stage of life where my world seems to shrink at the same time the greater world is opening up to me. The idea of each bringing a recipe from a cookbook and sitting together and sharing, a bite here, a bite there – its about connection and shared experience and food. I would love to bring Modern Potluck to my own treasured version of the modern potluck.
There’s something to be said of the beauty of simple meals that bring people together. This book looks amazing, as do the enchiladas!
I’d love to cook from this book for my roommates once school starts again. It’s so hard to get everybody together with our crazy schedules, but carving out a time to sit and eat and laugh with each other over a delicious meal sounds like the perfect opportunity 🙂
I made this last night for my Aunt and Uncle who were visiting, and everyone loved it! If the rest of the recipes are as good, I’d love to get my hands on this book! Potlucks are my favorite way to entertain- takes the pressure off while allowing everyone to show off a little (or slack off by bringing cheese and crackers which are always welcome).
Mm! Sounds so comforting and spicy.
Oh man, I also love potlucks. I feel like they happened all the time at church growing up. Lots of fond memories there.
We were just throwing around best potluck dinner ideas with friends today! And to be honest we could use an update on fruit salad, pasta salad and hommous! 😉 would love a copy of this book and a slice of enchilada pie.
I got invited to a potluck this weekend. I was going to bring my usual Mac and cheese. You’ve inspired me to bring something new.
I totally relate to this – in our group of friends we all have young kids and sharing the making of the meal is so nice and more relaxed for everyone!
I would love some new ideas for shareable dishes!
I love the approachable feel and comforting visual this post lends. I also have a few zucchini lying around that need to be used…this may just be our Friday dinner! Love the idea of sharing meals and making things easier on everyone!
Thanks for the opportunity for the cookbook. I can NEVER have too many! The recipe looks great and I will try it this weekend!!
Looks delicious, and thanks for the giveaway! The book looks inspiring and a wonderful addition to any kitchen 🙂
We host Saturday night after Thanksgiving as well as New Years Eve potlucks. Some day we may venture into potlucks at other times of the year, but summer is really busy for everyone out playing and gardening. There is a community wide fall harvest potluck with a different theme each year.
In the early years of grad school we had a long-running weekly potluck. Now so many people have moved away, and we have a 1 year old. Thinking we need to start a new potluck group with the daycare set…
This recipe looks great, just like everything on your website. I love your recipes, thanks for all the great ideas!
yum! looks amazing
This book looks so great! My sister and I like to do mini potlucks with our two small families as it cuts the work in half and doesn’t have to be a big production, so it is perfect for a weeknight. I’d love some new recipe ideas, and all those sound delicious!
I would love to win this book because now that we are settled in our home I would like to host a potluck with my new friends.
Yum – I love enchilada pie and this looks amazing! And here’s to pot luck dinners – they sound like a fantastic idea.
This looks so gorgeous! I’m excited to see what my friends say or what the other recipes are like.
Late summer vegetable pie will be great. Wow I will surely try it soon and will have it with my coffee https://freshpresso.net/
Late summer vegetable pie will be great. Wow I will surely try it soon and will have it with my coffee https://freshpresso.net/ 🙂
Oh please! If I bring carrot salad to one more potluck I may never be invited back. Enchilada pie is a start, but I could desperately use further inspiration! Thanks for the chance to win!
This looks great! Definitely bookmarking to try ASAP!
I love that this recipe has a delicious looking base but can be adapted…so great for nights when I don’t want to run to the grocery store but have random veggies etc on hand.
I’m always looking for cookbook recommendations, and this one sounds great!
I’ve never made an enchilada pie, but I’m a huge fan of one pot/dish meals and this recipe looks delicious.
There is always a first – enchilada pie – can’t wait to try!
That looks delicious and highly creative!
I love this! (And need this book!)
I am expecting our second little in mid October and I have been racking my brain for great meals to put together that I can both freeze and have ready for when baby comes and my husband is suddenly in charge of meals, wrangling our 18 month old and fetching me endless glasses of water.
Love your blog Ashley!
Ooh this recipe looks delicious! Can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
The concept of this book absolutely resonates with me! I love to make people happy with home-made food. Sharing a table is a great way to connect. And at the same time a soft kind of panic comes over me… what would my guests like to eat? This book may be the perfect remedy 😉
Would love to win the cookbook to try some amazing new recipes. Thank you for the ability to try to win.
I have never hosted my own potluck but it is on my list of things to do. People coming together and sharing their food and their stories would be so fantastic!
sounds like a book i would use all the time
I agree! The best recipes are adaptable. Recipes that can be made ahead, require little last minute fussing, use easily obtainable ingredients, and make enough to feed a gathering or produce delicious leftovers are pretty much guaranteed to create peace and happiness. If it calls for a 9 X 13 baking dish, its a good sign, and you’ll probably keep on making it for as long as those baking dishes last. Some of my long-standing faves are the polenta and mushroom gratin from Gourmet’s September 1995 issue and the Make-ahead potato casserole from the 1993 Canadian Living Christmas Book. I have a feeling the enchilada pie is about to join the list of keepers.
These look delicious! Enchiladas + Beer…what could be better?!
cool beans!
I LOVE potlucks!! I could give this book a good home 🙂
These photos are wonderful. I love cooking for other people and would love to get some new recipes to share.
Up middle of the nite, can’t sleep, now I’m hungry reading your post. Will make it tonite!
how fun does a potluck with good tasting meals sound!
Hey Ashley, It would be lovely to win that delightful sounding cookbook! I’ve been enjoying your blog! Thanks, Jenn
Just got the ingredients to make this. Can’t wait!!!
I am 2 weeks from my due date with my first baby and I am mourning dinner parties already!! Would love this book!
I love a pot luck! I remember one family reunion that was EPIC! Thanks for writing.
Yum! I am super excited about this one, I have a bunch of sweet potatoes and I might just try it with those too. as always love your blog.
I love potlucks, and the book looks like a great source of ideas!
I really love enchiladas. I will have to try this recipe!
This enchilada recipe looks great! Fingers crossed for the cookbook drawing 🙂
I want this book so badly! It’s been at the top of my list along with Sunday Suppers!!
This looks amazing! Would love the cookbook.
Love these types of dishes!
Looks delicious
Now with kids, we enjoy having potlucks with our friends to enjoy each others company, good food, and let the kids get their energy out. It has been really good for our relationships.
Enjoy your site immensely. Looks like a great cookbook to add to my bookshelf!
Exactly what I was looking for! This recipe is being made this weekend. Thank you! Beautiful photography, BTW.
Greetings from Oklahoma! This dish looks awesome, can’t wait to try it 🙂
Greetings from Oklahoma! This looks awesome, can’t wait to try it 🙂
Looks good! I’m making this over Labor Day weekend when my oldest comes home from college. I’d love the pumpkin beer turkey chili recipe, too!
that looks yummy!
Potlucks are the **best**. Why is it easier to divy dishes and assign sides with family than friends? Not every meal needs to be a time consuming process for the host or a solo production of Sunset Magazine. A potluck can be a chance for many people to share their skills (and sometimes missed targets). There is a trick to making it affordable and serviceable for a group, looks like this book nails it.
Love the idea of any kind of potluck! Can’t wait to check out this book.
Perhaps I can squeeze in a contest entry? The book looks terrific!
I would love a copy of this book! There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and sharing some delicious food!
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance at this!
Andysavi.Mom@gmail.com
I would like a copy of this book, hopefully it was not to late to enter.
This dish looks perfect for our gray and drizzly Seattle days now that we are back to school. I’m going to buy this book as a birthday gift for a friend who just moved to a new neighborhood. No one enjoys feeding people more than she does!
Thanks for the great idea!
This recipe combines an old favorite – Mexican with a new favorite – casseroles! Thank you!
Yes, please! Looks like a wonderful book.
Oh goodness! This looks super duper luscious! Can’t wait to try one on my own. 🙂
Excuse me whilst I stop drooling 😂 Looks AMAZING!
I bet the cookbook is filled with wonderful recipes like the LATE-SUMMER VEGETABLE ENCHILADA PIE. I can’t wait to try it! Love your blog.
Would love a copy of this book!
I love entertaining guests and enjoyed some fresh ideas for menu options, especially using my fresh garden produce.
I’m going to make this this week! I have a question, though, about the possibility of a cilantro substitute. Could I just use fresh parsley? A member of my family dislikes cilantro ) : but I feel this recipe’s gotta have a fresh green herb to truly sing. Suggestions?
Absolutely! Or chives.
Looks great. Going to make it for a party. Can’t wait to see the cookbook.
Beautiful veggie pie
Looks great. Going to make it for a party.
Just sounds like heaven in a tortilla! Thanks for the recipe
I love entertaining guests and enjoyed some fresh ideas for menu options, especially using my fresh garden produce.Thanks for sharing.