About us
I always have a long list of cookbooks I want to check out and there's nothing like a group of people to share the meal with that will inspire me to dive in to new recipes. The idea is simple: we pick a cookbook, everyone picks a recipe from the cookbook and makes it, we all get together for a delicious potluck, and then we pick a new book and do it again! All it takes is a group of people willing to cook one dish and bring it to share, and we'll get to try a variety of dishes, and connect with new friends.
I eat everything, but have a soft spot for vegetarian cuisine. I prefer creative vegetable focused dishes to heavier meat centered meals, so you'll see my cookbook suggestions reflect that. Feel free to chime in and recommend any next book that inspires you, no dietary restrictions.
Everyone is welcome, this is a friendly group, not a competition! Also, anyone is welcome to host events, that's how we can keep having events - just message me and I'll set you up. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the group and not enough events today for everyone that wants to participate so I encourage anyone to host, and it can be a group as big or small as you want :). Hosts makes the rules, so if there is a specific book you want to use the best way to do it is to host a meetup, or find a friend who is willing to! It can be in your home, a community center, the park, etc.
Treat the group and, especially the hosts, with gratitude and respect by taking your RSVPs seriously. Hosts spend time preparing, open up their home, and the group waits for most people to arrive before eating, so if you are not committed to coming, please leave the spot for someone else. Our events often have waitlists, please don't be a no-show. Of course life happens and there is nothing wrong with updating your RSVP if you can't make it, just please keep your RSVP up to date.
If you are bringing a guest, you have to RSVP with a +1 to respect the waitlist. Bring one dish per person, or double the dish you are making if you are bringing a guest.
Also, if you don't mind, please use your real name so that we know who you are when we see you on the guest list, commenting, and finally meet you in person. It helps people connect and stay in touch to know who you are!
Lastly, Meetup costs me as the host of the group about $330/year (prices went up significantly at the end of 2024). If you're enjoying the group please throw a few dollars my way to help cover this. You can give cash to any event host, sent me a venmo at katy-ionis anytime, use Pledge right through Meetup - that one takes a small fee, or message me for PayPal or Zelle info.
Lastly, we are not a for profit group, we do not offer or request payment to authors to attend our events, so if you get any such offers on behalf of our group that seem fishy, it's most likely spam and you should be wary. Feel free to reach out to the organizers to double check if you're unsure.
Welcome! We look forward to seeing you at a potluck soon!
-Katy
Upcoming events
5
Padma's All American by Padma Lakshmi
Brighton, Seattle, WA, USI really enjoyed Padma's TV show, Taste the Nation, in which she travelled around the United States getting to know the huge diversity of people and cuisines that make up America - from indigenous communities to immigrants from every corner of the globe that have made a home in America. This tapestry of backgrounds makes up an incredibly rich, delicious, layered, complex, and fascinating history and present that defines American cuisine. In this cookbook she shares the recipes she collected throughout those travels and those from her own family that had me saving page after page. Coming off the 4th of July this feels like a fitting celebration in my preferred way: at a table of friends, new and old, eating tasty food from near and far, focusing on a timeless uniter - dinner!
Please choose a recipe from the Padma's All American cookbook - on Amazon, at your favorite local store, or the library has multiple copies available. One dish is required per person, so if you have a +1 please bring two dishes or double a recipe. Please post what you will be making in the comments so we have a balanced menu.
This event will be held outdoors in the backyard at Katy and Cebron's house in South Seattle. This is a limited attendee event, so please do not RSVP if you are not committed to coming. If something changes and you can't make it, please update your RSVP as soon as possible, preferably at least 3-4 days in advance. We usually have a waitlist and people need time to plan for a recipe, so no-shows are not welcome for an event like this. If you're not feeling well, please stay home. If you don't post what you are bringing by 8/2 or respond to messages we will move you to "not going" to make room for waitlist attendees. Thanks for your cooperation.
Additional reminders:
- Make sure your Meetup settings allow event updates from organizers. If you don't get the emails, check your spam, or social folders (for those on gmail).
- Bring serving utensils for your dish - and remember to take them home.
- Bring a plate/bowl/cup/cutlery for yourself - it makes cleanup much easier for hosts and reduces single use items going in the trash.
- Feel free to bring a beverage to share, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
- Your dish must be prepared in advance and ready to serve when you arrive. (if you need to reheat please message host to confirm space)
- Please bring a few dollars to help cover the Meetup fees that I pay for hosting this group ($330+/year), Venmo (@katy-ionis) or PayPal equally appreciated. Thanks!
- Weather permitting we will be outside, bring what you need to stay comfortable.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
14 attendees
Aloha Veggies
Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA, USAloha friends! We're excited to host this summer outdoors, fingers crossed for a good, not-smokey day. Aaron has a major love affair with Hawaiian food, but after going vegetarian, some of the previous recipes he loved needed more adaptation and effort. Imagine our delight at seeing a favorite Hawaiian cookbook author write a veggie focused Hawaiian cookbook! A dream come true! 🤙
Official cookbook blurb:
Explore Hawai‘i’s diverse culinary heritage through 100+ flavor-packed, approachable, plant-based recipes for local Hawai‘i favorites from the bestselling author of Aloha Kitchen.When Hawai‘i-born Alana Kysar returned home as an adult, Maui’s flourishing farmers’ markets and community crop shares inspired her to create veggie-centric spins on beloved local dishes. Hawai‘i's most iconic foods came to life with vibrant freshness and satisfying new textures. Aloha Veggies brings this evolution of local Hawai‘i food to your kitchen, offering simple, irresistible, and nutritious recipes for everyday meals.
Alana’s equation for a balanced veg-forward meal is based on the local Hawai‘i plate lunch: Main + Starch + Side = Complete Meal, plus a bonus sweet, of course. The recipes in Aloha Veggies are organized by classic local flavors and dishes—from Mochiko, Loco Moco, and Adobo to Fried Rice, Poke, and Potato Mac Salad—each with four variations to try. Classic Mochiko sets you up with the batter typically used for fried chicken, tweaked to accommodate any veggies you please. For a twist, try Ginger-y or Sesame-y Mochiko variations. Pair Cabbage Adobo with Butternut Squash and Black Lentils with some Mushroomy Rice and an Everyday Quickle. Next week, try Braised Miso Eggplant with Pan-Seared Crispy Rice and Namasu Sweet Potato Salad. Since no meal is complete without a treat, Alana offers a rainbow of variations on favorite local Hawai‘i desserts from Passion Fruit Chiffon Cake to Ube Butter Mochi and more.
Alongside mouthwatering recipes, Alana profiles farms and farmers growing some of her favorite produce, encouraging a renewed connection to the land and the people who grow our food. Aloha Veggies reveals the limitless possibilities that arise when you center vegetables on your plate, inspiring a new generation of home cooks in Hawai‘i and beyond.
Recipe sources (libraries, blogs, indie bookshops, and one more):
Libraries:Indie bookshops:
Articles:
- Huli Huli zucchini with crispy chickpeas
- Watermelon poke and passion fruit butter mochi
- Roasted miso sweet potato with pumpkin seeds
- Kale and Shoyu Mushroom Salad
We have pics of the book's recipes here for the event as well, but please note they will be taken down soon after the event:
Please post your contributions to our feast in the comments, I'll work on compiling a menu closer to the date to help guide the direction and avoid duplicates. Additionally, Aaron has a tree nut allergy but peanuts are fine and Aisha is allergic to black fungus / woodear mushrooms so please avoid these where possible or note dishes that have them. We will have post-its and pens to write down any allergens and the recipe name!
This is a unlimited attendee event, but please still do not RSVP if you are not committed to coming. In order to confirm your RSVP, pick a dish and list what you'll be bringing in the comments below, no later than Monday, August 24th. The rule of thumb is one dish per person scaled to allowing everyone attending to have a small portion. If you have a +1 please bring two dishes or increase your chosen recipe accordingly. If you're not feeling well, please stay home.
Additional reminders:
- Make sure your Meetup settings allow event updates from organizers. If you don't get the emails, check your spam, or social folders (for those on gmail).
- Bring serving utensils for your dish - and remember to take them home! Your dish must be prepared in advanced and ready to serve when you arrive.
- Your dish must be prepared in advance and ready to serve when you arrive. (if you need to reheat please message me to confirm space)
- Please bring a few dollars to help cover the Meetup fees that Katy pays for hosting this group ($330+/year), Venmo (@katy-ionis) or PayPal equally appreciated. Thanks!
- Feel free to bring a beverage to share, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
29 attendees
Past events
210
