Friends at the Table {cookbook} | Southwestern Potato Salad
I broke the cardinal rule of entertaining last weekend.
Don’t try a new recipe when cooking for guests.
It’s a rule I am often guilty of breaking, but I try to limit it to one course (with back ups in the refrigerator wings, just in case). But a whole meal? Gutsy, you might say.
In this case, I did not feel like I was taking a huge risk. Because I had a friend in the kitchen helping me, so to speak.
One of the friends I have made in this food blog world is Debi Shawcross; you may know her from her food blog Table Talk. If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area, you may have seen her in your television as a frequent guest on Virginia This Morning. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Debi founded Signature Menus, where she teaches specialized cooking classes. Her style of cooking is one I completely embrace – she approaches food with a focus on flavor, simplicity, and sensible sophistication. So when she offered to send me her newly released cookbook, Friends at the Table: The Ultimate Supper Club Cookbook to look at, I was quite excited. She was sweet to autograph it for me, too.
As Memorial Day weekend approached, I anticipated several days of food, friends, and relaxation. With dinner party guests one evening, and a food blogger brunch the next, I knew I had to buckle down and get my menus planned for the weekend. Now, after a crazy month of May, I was starting to peter out, I will not lie. So as I considered what I would serve to our friends, I realized, I would go by the book. Debi’s book.
And it’s as though she knew I needed that hand. Friends at the Table is organized not only by season, but by menu, as well. So, I took it step by step.
Since Memorial Day is a gateway to summer, I happily settled into the chapter on Summer Sensations. I paged through delicious summer menus.
And there it was. My mouth started salivating when I saw this menu. It was perfect. And it was all laid out for me! Not only that, Debi thoughtfully includes a comprehensive shopping list for the entire menu, and a very handy timeline. I just followed right along.
Before I knew it, we and our guests were seated. Friends at the table, as Debi’s cookbook intended.
We all agreed, what a bold and flavorful meal! It was the perfect way to gather after a long month, to dust of the grill, and enjoy everyone’s company.
The hot and spicy flavors of the chimichurri and the jalapeno vinaigrette warmed us up for the summer ahead.
I brought the Shrimp, Avocado and Black Bean Bruschetta to a super fun food blogger brunch the following day, hosted by the lovely Jean from Lemons and Anchovies. And again, Debi’s recipe did not fail – we all loved it.
Friend or not, I am sincere when I say that I love this cookbook, and I absolutely know you will, too. The recipes are real, authentic and classy. This is food you want to serve your friends. Perfect for the seasoned cook, or the newlywed couple just finding their footing when it comes to their first dinner parties, Friends at the Table is a welcome addition to the cookbook shelf.
And I’m not done exploring the book.
I want this.
And my husband, when he saw this glossy chocolate cake, said, “Stop. Make that.”
Well, now, you don’t have to twist my arm.
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Southwestern Potato Salad
Recipe courtesy Debi Shawcross from Friends at the Table: The Ultimate Supper Club Cookbook
All the dishes I served over the weekend from the cookbook were absolutely superb. The overwhelming favorite, though, was the Southwestern Potato Salad. We all loved the unusual flavors, the musky taste of cumin, and the fresh cuts of hearts of palm. It paired perfectly with the Mesquite Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce. I know you will love it, and I am very grateful to Debi for allowing me to share the recipe for the salad here.
- 2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes
- Kernels from 1 ear cooked corn
- 1/2 cup chopped Vidalia onion
- 1 (14-ounce) can hearts of palm, drained, cut into 1/3-inch rounds
- 1 1/4 cups chopped grape tomatoes
- 1 poblano pepper, roasted, seeded, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- salt
- 1 avocado, peeled and chopped
In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and cool. Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Ad the corn, onion, hearts of palm, tomatoes, poblano pepper, and cilantro. Drizzle dressing over the potato mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt. Gently stir in avocado and serve.
Dressing
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
In a medium bowl whisk the buttermilk, mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, coriander, and cayenne until well blended.
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What a beautiful cookbook and great review. Your dishes look like crowd pleasers too.
Liren – What a great dinner party! Debi’s book looks fantastic – putting on my list! I think you are brave to break the cardinal rule and hats off to you. I agree with your hubby – that chocolate cake is a must make. :)
Liren, looks terrific and so satisfying! Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful gathering. I only wish I was there. Hint, hint.
Looks wonderful! Must have been a wonderful party!
Debi’s cookbook is waiting for me on my Amazon ‘wish list’! I am going to love cooking through it!
I think I’m with your hubby… I like that choice, too…a lot!!
Liren, I meant to tell you that hubs polished off the salad as soon as everyone left. I was happy to have had a taste earlier because he didn’t leave any for me! What a great salad! Debi’s blog is wonderful and I know I’d love this book. :-)
Thank you for a allowing us to enjoy this beautiful salad at the brunch!
Wow!! Splendid dinner!! I also sahre this “kamikaze” attitude, and I try new things when guests are over….Sometimes, it was not that perfect, but gusts did not notice…or so they said…
Ooo, Liren this menu sounds amazing! I have had Debi’s cookbook on my “wishlist” for awhile now, and your mouthwatering photos and genuine experience of using are making me want to buy it right now. (Even if only to make that chocolate cake!) The menu you chose was perfect, and the recipe you shared really sounds like something I would like – I am intrigued by the hearts of palm in the potato salad, I really love them!
Delicious book review!
Yes, delicious review of Debi’s book. Her approach to food really resonates with me and including a shopping list is a lifesaver. Everything you made looks so enticing, but just in case we weren’t convinced, the chocolate cake really puts us over the edge :)