Padma's All American by Padma Lakshmi

I 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!