About a month ago, I got an email from Christina who writes the fantastic blog Dinner at Christina’s about having a Chicagoland blogger potluck sometime in September, and I of course jumped at the chance! I love meeting other bloggers, and I also love cooking for other people, so it was the kind of event that just appeals to me.
We agreed on the date, and set out arranging carpools and what we were bringing. I decided to bring a crockpot full of my Chicken Chili Blanco as well as buffalo chicken dip. I packed up the car with my hot crockpot and ingredients for the dip, and set out to pick up Michelle from Lucky Taste Buds. We then hit the road to Christina’s house where we met up with her and Biz from Biggest Diabetic Loser.
We of course immediately started setting up our dishes…and the spread was AMAZING!! I put together my dip, which does not photograph well:
Christina had made a pitcher of delicious sangria, as well as a pitcher of water with fresh lemon. I had plenty of both!
She also made some of the Pioneer Woman’s jalapeno poppers with bacon, and a croissant wrapped baked brie… again, i had plenty of both 
There was a gorgeous veggie tray:
Michelle made a delicious Asian-inspired whole wheat pasta salad with a sesame-miso dressing, a recipe I’ll be stealing very soon!
Biz made a delicious pizza with homemade crust, red peppers, pepperoni, her amazing homemade sauce, and a mixture of goat cheese and mozzarella, and then a topping of fresh basil:
Then, Christina brought out the zucchini pie, a recipe that’s apparently so secret, she had to delete the email that included it!
I was so full at this point that I didn’t even have a bowl of my chili! In case you forgot what it looked like, here’s a recycled picture:
I feel terrible that I didn’t bring anything for the other women because I left with so many foodie goodies! Michelle had made us all goodie bags, Biz gave us each a jar of her tomato sauce, and Christina not only opened her house to us, but gave us a huge store of the homemade sausage she made with her dad. I can’t wait to try it all!
Thank you SO much for an amazingly fun day ladies! We’ll have to do something again soon!
Oh… I’m forgetting something, aren’t I? The winner of the HUGE cheese giveaway! I used random.org to determine a winner, using only the comments on the post. There were a whopping 191 entries to win the cheese tasting party!! I’m so thrilled that there was so much interest for my little contest, and a HUGE thank you to Alouette Cheese for the opportunity.
What, you want to know who won? Funny thing: the first number that came up was my own pingback to my post…and since I can’t win my own contest, the winner is:
KRISTIN FROM IOWA GIRL EATS!!! Ill send you an email to get your information and I’ll forward it to the company. Congratulations!!!
I’m off to enjoy some of Michelle’s banana cashew bread with some Turtle Mountain coconut milk ice cream…
Have a great Monday!
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
It was so nice meeting you Mara! Mama Rini’s has to be in our near future!
such a fun potluck! I wish I could go and meet you people and eat together!
.-= coco´s last blog ..Groceries madness & recipe! =-.
Sounds soooo fun AND delicious!!!
What a great post. Your pictures are so vidid they made my mouth water. I will bookmark for later.
That looks like such a fun time!
My Gram makes a Zucchini Pie just like that. She keeps her recipe secret, too!
.-= Marisa (Trim The Fat)´s last blog ..Eating In Two’s =-.
What a fun dinner! I really need to do that with whatever bloggies live in San Diego. And I am SO making that chicken dip next time I have a party…I’ve seen it all over blogland but I don’t think anyone around me has heard of or tasted it.
.-= Hallie (healthy twists)´s last blog ..Sleepy and Simple Sandwich Sunday =-.
OMG – amazing post! all the food looks AMAZING! anything with buffalo sauce, I’m in!
and zucchini pie?!?!?!?! heaven!
.-= allijag´s last blog ..Whirlwind =-.
What a great blogger event! Sounds like you ladies had a great time together.
Aww, Congrats to Kirstin! She is such a sweetheart and totally deserves to win this great prize.
Take care Mara. Have a great week!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Party Everyday =-.
I’m amazed!! You guys are all fantastic cooks – what a delicious spread
.-= K´s last blog ..Autumn Song =-.
food bloggers know how to eat well! sounds like a great meal.
.-= cinnamonquill´s last blog ..Madeleines Save the Day =-.
What a great spread! A blogger potluck would be SO fun!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..Bottle Collectors and Muffin Making =-.
My gosh you are totally on top of things!! What an impressive recap…i’m SO tempted to just link to your site for a full display of food and events. hehehee
I SO SO SO enjoyed seeing you again and catching up. Thank you so much for the ride to and back to Christina’s and making the meet-up even possible for me.
You’re fabulous at multi-tasking my dear. hehehe I’m SO exctied to be eating your leftover dip and chili later, it’s almost strange how chirpy I am this morning. hahaah
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Soy Joy Uncensored =-.
haha Wow, I saw this last night and was like – she works quick! Thanks for coming, it was so much fun to meet you guys – better than I anticipated!! After you guys left Johnny came downstairs hungry and attacked your chili – he LOVED IT!!! haha, so thanks b/c I didn’t have to cook dinner!
And I also ate Michelle’s bread for a relaxing late night snack. Mmm!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Winner! =-.
Mara, I have bunch of zucchini that must be made into that pie!!! I went to Christina’s site but there is no way to contact her. Pleas beg her for the recipe and post it. Tell her she is mean not to share. Just kidding. Looks like you guys had a fun time, now share with us non-food blogging followers. Thanks
What an awesome spread!! That sounds like so much fun. It makes me think I need to get together with some D.C. area bloggers! I’d love to meet many of my favorites in person. I’m glad y’all were able to get together.
.-= Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog ..Using Both Sides of the Card =-.
katklaw777 if you click on my profile there’s a link to email me!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Blogger Potluck =-.
Ahhh! I just read about this on Biz’s blog but didn’t catch that you were there, too! Um, seriously, if I could pick a handful of bloggers to eat with, you, Biz, and Michelle would make the Top 5. What a group!
.-= Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Loving Leftovers =-.
What a fun day that looks like and soooo much great food too!
.-= Simone (junglefrog)´s last blog ..Cooking Italy; Bolognese meat sauce =-.
What an awesome spread of food! I never thought about doing an asian pasta salad! I am totally going to have to steal that idea.
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Another One Bites The Dust… =-.
Wow, that looks like a fun blogger meet up! Great eats
Glad you all had a good time!
.-= Jenn (eating bender)´s last blog ..Unfamiliar Territory =-.
Mara, your food looked great! I’m so sorry I missed this great event!
And congrats to the lucky winner of your cheese basket, that is one deluxe give a way!!
.-= Jenn@slim-shoppin´s last blog ..Home made pizza + give-away winner! + Happy Birthday Mom! =-.
I think you gals should start your own catering business – I would have paid good money for a spread like you all made!
.-= Carole´s last blog ..Anyone Have a Good Potluck-Type Recipe? =-.
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