Hey friends, this is Masha. I usually do the photos and editing around here, but I am now venturing into doing some full posts as well. Today I’m excited to share some photos I took this past weekend in magical Woodstock, NY and its surrounding areas, along with a dish my boyfriend and I cooked there from Kristin Donnely’s beautiful new cookbook, Modern Potluck. True to its title, the book offers plenty of original, make-ahead recipes for gatherings, where contribution in the form of food is encouraged, along with useful potluck prep tips. Despite this wonderful theme, however, the recipes are very appealing to make and eat at home just as well. The book is not vegan or vegetarian (perfect for omnivores), but offers plenty of vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Some of the recipes that caught our eye include Potato Salad with Fennel and Pickly Things, Miso and Molasses Baked Beans, Samosa-Filling Stuffed Poblanos, Vegetarian Borscht Salad, and Vegan Caprese Salad. All the photography is done by Yossi, who is one of our favorite food photographers in this whole wide world. We are giving away a copy of the book too, so read on for the giveaway details.
I live in NYC, and my man and I have been thinking about getting away from the city to explore Upstate New York for a while. We finally got it together on one of the last weekends of summer and had the most incredible time. Woodstock exceeded all my expectations – I knew it would be nice, but didn’t expect it to be as breathtaking as it was, and now I daydream about one day moving there. The whole town seems to be woven into the woods, and this time of year, the forest is thick with green leaves and sweet summer air, accompanied by bird and cricket songs, scurrying chipmunks, and majestic deer. At night, it’s dark enough to see the Milky Way, of which we are very deprived in the city. We rented this Airbnb – a cottage built by the owner, an artist, and secluded in the woods, right off his main property. The place was amazing, from the layout and tree-filtered light streaming through the windows all day, to all the well-considered, hand-crafted details. The kitchen was very well equipped for all the cooking we did, and there is an outside grill, as well as a fire pit. It’s technically in the town of Saugerties, but very close to the main stretch in Woodstock, The Big Deep and Opus 40.
Big Deep
A popular swimming hole in the area. You leave your car in an unpaved parking lot in the woods and follow a short trail to the water. We were there right around golden hour and I felt like I was in a fairy tale – the water was clear and refreshing, with sunrays streaming through the surrounding tall trees. As we witnessed, it can get crowded at the immediate entrance off the trail, but if you walk away from the main area a bit, you can find plenty of quieter, semi-private spots for taking a dip.
Opus 40
A huge environmental sculpture, built by sculptor Harvey Fite over the course of 37 years in an abandoned bluestone quarry. Fite originally planned out the space as an outdoor sculpture gallery, and had a 40 year plan for finishing it, but died on the 37th year of completion. The structure is composed of curving steps, levels, passageways and water pools, and the entire thing is built without cement, inspired by ancient Mayan building techniques, and using old quarrymen’s tools. Everything about Opus 40 is incredibly impressive, and the whole time, I felt like I was walking around an alien-built playground. It’s also a great spot for eating lunch – there are plenty of places to sit down and enjoy the view.
Kaaterskill Falls
A 260 ft waterfall, one of the highest in New York. We overheard someone talking about it at a cafe and decided to check it out, and so glad we did. It’s a drive away from Woodstock, around 20 minutes, up a serpentine road and into the Catskills. The amazing thing about this waterfall is that there are trails leading to both the crest of the waterfall, where it first begins to drop, and the bottom, where it makes a nicely-sized pool, and you can swim in both places. As in, you can stand under a waterfall (!) and you can swim in river pools, in water which will be dropping hundreds of feet after it brushes past you. Insane. This was the last thing we did before heading back to the city, and it was the perfect closing to our trip.
Some food-related places we liked:
Kingston Farmer’s Market
There are plenty of farmers markets in the area, but we only got to try out this one. A very nice, medium-sized farmer’s market with a good number of produce stands. The August produce was absolutely beautiful – heirloom tomatoes the size of a baby’s head, jewel-colored eggplants, ground cherries, peaches, shiso leaf (!), purslane, etc, etc. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm.
Bread Alone
We buy this company’s bread in NYC and were interested in visiting one of their home stores, since the company originated in the Catskills. This location sells many different varieties of their bread, a ton of pastries, coffee (Irving Farm) and sandwiches. Good for breakfast and lunch.
Shindig
Good burgers (they do have a brown rice and beet veggie burger for the veggie-inclined) and sandwiches (veggie melt), but I liked the watermelon gazpacho special I got the most. The cocktails are also fun, generously sized, and unique – their booze of choice seems to be soju and sake.
Provisions
Went here for lunch. A modern deli that bakes its own bread, pickles their own veggies and uses local produce. Lots of interesting sandwich options and a few salads.
Sunflower Natural Foods Market
A very well stocked local health food store.
Fruition Chocolate
A local bean to bar chocolate company that offers a variety of chocolate bars for all tastes. They even sell a 100% cacao bar!
Vinnie’s Farm Market
A crazy place we stopped at on the way back from Kaaterskill Falls. A family-owned produce stand and store with a TON of homemade canned goods, from pickles to jams to hot pepper spreads, pastries and bread, homemade butter, farm eggs and milk. The amount of product they have is almost overwhelming, and the whole place feels like a step back in time.
Since the cottage we rented was so cozy, we had no problem staying in for dinner and cooking with all the amazing produce we got at the farmer’s market. I’d been flipping through Modern Potluck the week prior, and was really attracted to the cover recipe for Spice-Roasted Carrots Over Lentils, which seemed perfectly simple, and like a good accompaniment to the grilled pizza we were planning on making in Woodstock. We loved the dish, it was a breeze to make and had all the elements I love in a side dish – substance from lentils and carrots, sweetness from dates, complexity from the spices and a fresh finish from the herbs. I imagine that bringing a platter of these lentils to a potluck would definitely earn you a status of a famous cook among your friends.
Giveaway: For a chance to win a copy of Modern Potluck, leave a comment with your favorite potluck dish and a working email until Wednesday, September 7th, 2016.
- 3 pounds real baby carrots or other small carrots - scrubbed if organic, peeled if not
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup tender fresh herb leaves - cilantro/dill/tarragon/mint/basil - roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup finely sliced pitted medjool dates, dried figs or prunes
- 1 pound dried black beluga or french green lentils
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion - quartered lengthwise, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 2 large cloves)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves - roughly chopped
- plain yogurt or cashew cream for serving (optional)
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, coriander, paprika and cumin, and season generously with salt and pepper. Spread the carrots out on the baking sheets.
- Roast, rotating the baking sheets halfway through and shaking the carrots, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the carrots are nicely browned and tender. Let the carrots cool slightly, then transfer to a large bowl and toss with the herbs and dates.
- In a medium saucepan, cover the lentils with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the lentils, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid and season with salt.
- In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and season generously with salt. Cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the lentils and reserved cooking liquid, and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and the cilantro.
- Arrange the lentils on a platter and top with the carrots. Garnish with more herb leaves and dollops of yogurt/cashew cream and serve warm or at room temperature.
- The lentils and roasted carrots, without the herbs and dates, can be refrigerated separately, overnight; bring to room temperature before serving. Bring the dish to the potluck already assembled with the vegetables on top of the lentils, then garnish with yogurt/cashew cream and herbs just before serving.
Beth R. says
Favorite potluck dish would be roasted potato rounds and guacamole. It’s easy and always a crowd pleaser.
Karen says
I like to bring a Greek dish called Fassolia Gigantes, which is fava or Lima beans in a wonderful tomato sauce with coriander and oregano. It is a great side dish, but hearty enough to be a vegetarian main dish with crusty bread and a salad on the side. It has converted many, including me, who didn’t think they like Lima beans.
Debbie D says
Since I am a baker, folks usually ask me to bring a dessert to a pot luck. Probably my favorites would be a freshly baked apple pie or chocolate toffee bars. They go pretty quick along with my salted cashew brittle.
Kyle Plattner says
The best potluck dish is Cobb Salad with Watermelon Bacon because of the surprised faces and comments it provokes.
Natalia says
I am so in love with your pics, Masha! You are such a talent! Glad to know you more through this post, thank you!
This recipe sounds gorgeous, I thought i saw kasha in place of those lentils ;). My favourite potluck dish would be roasted sweet potatoes but all the vegetable make a great potluck!
Masha says
Thanks so much for the kind words Natalia :)
Kiki says
I’m a sixteen year old baker. People always ask me to bring dessert, so I bring chickpea cookie dough dip with Apple wedges and medjool date caramel sauce for dipping!
Masha says
Kiki, that sounds amazing!
Libby says
What a perfectly dreamy trip you guys got to have together. Such memories!
Your photographs are completely stunning.
Those carrots look delicious. I love the idea of this potluck book! In fact, a group of friends and I have a standing twice-a-month potluck meal together and I’m going to have to buy this book for sure!
Masha says
Thanks so much Libby!
Lynn says
I always love a nice potato salad. you can’t go wrong!
Heidi says
I like to make a big pan of blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream on the side.
Masha says
After my own heart :)
Katia says
I love to bring Tongue of the Mother-in-Law. This dish was a staple of Soviet Union home cooking and is still very popular.
It is an eggplant or zucchini cut into long slices to resemble a tongue. The slices are than fried and rolled with spicy stuffing.
Masha says
Very familiar with this dish :)
Jenn Messier says
I love veggies so one dish that I love to offer is this red cabbage, red onion, beet slaw with a balsamic dressing that I have a recipe for aptly named- Crimson Slaw. thx
Masha says
Love the name :)
Susan says
Mast-o-khiar – Greek yogurt, chopped cucumber and herbs, and can really make it look beautiful and change it up depending on what’s on hand!
Masha says
YES!
Sj Dc says
Love making large bowls of multiple dips…they’re even useful to dip any leftover bread and can be spooned over other carbs too
valentina | sweet kabocha says
Hi, Masha!
I really need a vacation right now, and this place seems awesome *____*
Well, potluck. We don’t really have something like that in Italy or, better said, we don’t have a word meaning that.
Anyway, one of my favorite recipe for those occasions, it’s a cauliflower couscous I’ve done for my cookbook : minced cauliflower boiled for 1-2 minutes, pan-fried red onion and chickpeas with spices, pine nuts, herbs….Everybody love that and they never understand what’s the main ingredient :P
Masha says
Hi Valentina :)
We don’t have the word in Russian either. That dish sounds amazing!
Cassy says
Per my hisband’s request, I often make an enchilada casserole. It’s easy, fast, feeds a small crowd, and is adaptable to the seasons. Our favorite variation is corn tortillas, red sauce, black beans, butternut squash, onion, red pepper and kale, either with chipotle cashew cream or chèvre.
Masha says
Sounds like a 100% crowd pleaser :)
janet says
A pressed cabbage and arame salad or coleslaw is always a favorite. The book looks amazing!
Masha says
Very intrigued by the pressed cabbage and arame salad!
Thia says
This carrot lentil dish is so pretty, it would be bound to make a splash at any potluck.
I tend to take a dish to insure I have a veg option, so I usually make some kind of bean salad, filled with loads of fresh veggies, maybe some chopped arugula or other salad greens, chopped fresh herbs, and a bright vinaigrette.
Ashley says
I love bringing spicy sweet potato rounds topped with guacamole! Thanks for the chance to win!
Ashley ammauceri@gmail.com
Candice says
I love to make green papaya salad for potlucks. Thanks for the giveaway!
Masha says
Mmmm, I would love to go to a potluck that serves papaya salad.
melissa K. says
I always make a big fresh salad to bring to potlucks….so I know there will be at least ONE thing I know is healthy and tasty!
This book sounds AMAZING!
melissa K. says
I always bring a giant fresh green based salad…at least I know that I will have at least ONE thing to eat!
Masha says
Hi Melissa,
Good trick and so true!
Linda says
My favourite potluck dish is potato salad with bacon.
clara says
My favorite potluck dish would be a spinach and feta cheese tart- easy to prepare and feeds lots of people, you can prep in advance and its delicious cold-
I really enjoyed reading your post and the lovely pictures. Hope to see you around more often :)
Masha says
Hi Clara!
I looove spinach and feta tart.
Thanks so much, I’m always around behind the scenes but will be doing more posts for sure :)
Hannah says
You can never go wrong with a good cookie- It won’t melt, doesn’t need utensils to eat, and chocolate especially is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Masha says
YES!
Melanie huttner says
I love to bring homemade cranberry sauce!
Masha says
That’s a great idea, Melanie!
kathy caulfield says
I love a nice spicy thai red cabbage salad for pot lucks. Its simple , beautiful and always a crowd pleaser!
Thank you for all the loveliness you share!!
Michele says
I like to make a cabbage slaw to balance out the heavy casseroles a lot of people bring to a potluck.
Carol says
I like to bring a big lentil salad with greens, herbs, & toasted seeds. This book looks wonderful!
Sarah Wallen says
I like to bring a Chili Egg Puff and a big green salad. I love your book and the giveaway book looks like a lot of fun.
Masha says
Thanks so much Sarah!
Julia says
Hi Masha, your trip to Woodstock looks absolutely dreamy! And isn´t it so cool that Shiso leaves are getting more popular finally? I even saw them at our local farmers market last year for the first time and this year there are also multiple recipes with shiso popping up over the internet – so nice! Also I would love to win a copy of that book, have read only good reviwes about it and also saw some mouthwatering recipes on some of my favourite blogs being made. So my favourite potluck food would be all kind of rolls or pockets, e.g. maki handrolls, summer rolls or even samosa-ish pockets… hmmm even thinking of them makes my mouth water :)
Much love from Vienna!
Julia
Masha says
Hi Julia :)
Yes! I’m all for shiso becoming more mainstream, it has such an amazing, unique flavor.
Love the pocket idea for potlucks. Every time I bring summer rolls to a gathering, they are always a huge hit, too.
Caro says
I often bring Kisir, a salad consistig of bulgur and finely chopped green onions, bell peppers, Italian parsely and tomatoes with paprika puree dressing.
garance says
Favorite potluck recipe is a cold ratatouille, sprinkled with goat cheese, served with crusty bread on the side! Yum yum!
Steph says
Homemade rolls!
manda says
I love casseroles at potlucks.
Alla says
Hello Masha :)
What a great post! Beautiful photos, what fun!
I’ve flipped through the comments, and it seems that the word “складчина” would be the closest for potluck, what do you think? Anyway, re favourite potluck dish, very simple in my case, and always disappears among the very first ones: 4 bowls of homemade Aquafaba mayonnaise (usually flavoured with curry, ginger and lemon confit, tamari, and tarragon- I have a huge round dish with 4 segmented sections in the middle, very handy for the 4 different flavours), and plenty of raw veg, yams, cauliflower, celery sticks, red peppers, snappy green beans, carrots, cherry tomatoes, etc. Always a treat!
Alexandre Fennell (Sacha) says
Hi ,
Thank-you for being so generous, Masha! Lovely giveaway idea (o:
We usually make a very green salad made of cucumber, semi-crushed avocado, reed or Pinkerton variety, sweet, juicy and not too oily, and heaps of dill, parsley, scallions, and cilantro, seasoned with just salt and lemon juice, and roll it into Lebanese flatbread. So far, I’ve only had excellent reviews!! (o; I must confess I tend to eat a lot of my own stuff at potlucks because I always bring what I love! Very often though everything is gone before I get to get a second helping …
(We also often make this salad at home but then we sometimes use iceberg leaves instead of flatbread)
Much love and encouragements from Belgium!
Jennifer Hutzel says
I like to bring some kind of quiche or savory pastry type dish. I think it makes a great brunch potluck addition!
Can’t wait to try the recipes you shared :)
Tiffany@yumamifood.com says
WOW amazing pictures! What kind of camera do you use?
Masha says
Thank you so much, Tiffany!
A Canon 5D Mark II, there’s also a breakdown of all our photography equipment here – https://golubkakitchen.com/essentials/photography/