In honor of the unveiling of Bon Appétit's latest spring cookbook collection, the Test Kitchen team orchestrated a vibrant potluck celebration. Staff members enthusiastically delved into the new titles, each selecting and preparing a dish to share, transforming an ordinary Monday into a delightful culinary gathering filled with diverse flavors and collaborative spirit. This event not only showcased the versatility of the new cookbooks but also fostered a sense of community among the food experts.
The gathering saw an impressive array of dishes, with salads taking a prominent role. Highlights included a zesty harissa Caesar salad, brimming with crispy chickpeas, from the pages of Madaq. Another fresh offering was a burrata, beet, and citrus creation from La Copine, adding a touch of California elegance to the spread. From Ohana Style, a scallion coconut chicken salad brought tropical flavors to the table, while Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt contributed a magnificently towering coconut cabbage slaw, artistically presented by Deputy Food Editor Hana Asbrink.
Beyond the refreshing salads, the potluck featured some remarkably satisfying stir-fries. A chicken and bell pepper stir-fry from Soomaaliya offered a robust savory option, and the spicy pork from A Day in Seoul, generously accompanied by rice courtesy of Food Director Chris Morocco, proved to be a crowd-pleaser. The event was a testament to the staff's dedication and creativity, as they reimagined and presented recipes from the new publications.
The remaining dishes contributed to a charmingly eclectic assortment. Guests enjoyed a smooth edamame dip topped with crispy onions from Hello, Home Cooking, and fragrant rosemary biscuits from Morning Baker. A unique Buffalo party pizza, creatively cut with scissors, emerged from The Book of Pizza. Hawaiian-inspired pimento cheese mochi balls, another hit from Ohana Style, offered a delightful textural contrast, while fluffy black-eyed pea fritters, also from Soomaaliya, garnered praise, especially when paired with leftover harissa Caesar dressing.
As the lively potluck drew to a close, a sweet selection awaited those with room for dessert. Coincidentally, many staff members brought banana-themed treats: a banana cake with an intriguing goat cheese frosting from Cake From Lucie, a rich Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding from Cake Picnic, and a decadent banana bread with chamomile chocolate ganache from More Than Sweet. The sole non-fruit dessert was a batch of Pistachio Fennel Biscotti from AMMAZZA!. Finally, a roll of plastic wrap was passed around, allowing everyone to lovingly pack up their remaining culinary creations and depart with memories of a truly exceptional shared meal.