Friends of the Library Sale Days 1 & 2 ~ Community Cookbooks: Colorado Cache & Our Delta Dining

Colorado Cache, published in 1981. All recipes compiled by the Junior League of Denver, Colorado in this large community cookbook (407 pages!) first published in 1978. The book was a gift to the former owner as remembrance of a trip and the inscription is written in calligraphy (don't see much of that these days). There are over 700 recipes, selected from over 2,800 submissions with each recipe being tested by 12 different committees.

Appetizers get the ball rolling with spreads, mousse, cheese, pates, egg rolls,, dips and wonton, while Soups is filled with the usual bisque, chowders, chili and pistou. Brunch fixates on frittatas, strata, souffles, crepes, pancakes, quiche and omelets (there is a long list list of suggested fillings), and Salads & Dressings offers a variety of salads made with fruit, veggies, rice, greens, pasta, a few molded options, plus recipes for cole slaw, homemade mayo and croutons.

Fish & Game has dishes featuring trout, pheasant, partridge, grouse, goose, duck elk and venison and Entrees delves into the usual recipes with chicken, beef, pork, lamb, veal and seafood. In Vegetables some of the preparation methods include baked, souffle and escalloped and highlights of the Pasta, Rice & Potato section include a pilaf and a Yorkshire pudding.

Breads include a sourdough bread and a recipe for the starter, muffins and coffee cake, while the Mexican Food chapter begins with beverages, then offers recipes for ceviche, empanadas, tortillas, flan and sopaipillas (LOVE these!). The short section on Microwave Cooking has a few dishes from appetizers, soups, breakfast items and desserts.

The Picnics & Camping part of the book gives us recipes for homemade GORP, trail mix, jerky, granola and lots of tin foil cooking ideas .Desserts is filled with yummy goodness ~ cookies & bars, cakes, pastries, brownies, pies, tortes, cupcakes, ice cream, parfaits, cheesecakes and a much used recipe for Brandied Green Grapes (lots of notations). In Potpourri, there are mustard, jam & jellies, chutney, relish, pickles, spiced nuts, popcorn, teas & punches and flavored coffees. Finally we come to Restaurants which has a few dishes culled from Denver eateries ~ Beef Wellington, Roast crown of Lamb and a Rack of Venison.

Our Delta Dining, published in 1970. Recipes compiled by the Mothers Club at County Day School in Marks, Mississippi. The school opened in 1965 as the private Quitman County Day School and is currently known as Delta Academy.

The book opens with a slight chapter on suggested menus for various occasions:  a seated dinner, brunches, ladies luncheon, a pool party and a cocktail buffet, then delves into Appetizers with cheese wafers (marked excellent by the former owner), dips, cheese balls and a recipe for chicken livers in wine. Beverages has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic takes on punches and teas, while Breads offers up coffee cake, biscuits, rolls, muffins, corn bread, hush puppies, pancakes and waffles.

Desserts - one of the largest sections in the book is filled with an assortment of dishes ~ flan, pudding, russe, torts, souffles, brownies, cookies, cakes and pound cakes, pies, candy, ice cream and a heavily used recipe for a Chocolate Sheet Cake. Seafood focuses on oysters, shrimp, cat fish, crab and lobster, while Eggs & Cheese has grits, souffles, quiche and rarebit. Meats features the usual recipes with beef, lamb and pork, while Poultry & Game offers up casseroles, croquettes and dishes involving duck and doves.

Pickles & Relishes lives up to its name with pickled watermelon rinds, chow chow, chili sauce and a few fig options. Salad and Dressings has aspic, molded options, several three bean dishes, and a slaw made with corn. Soups and Gumbos is next, followed by Vegetables with souffles, casseroles and several baked and or stuffed dishes. Th last chapter offers household hints and tips while the remaining pages are filled with advertisements from local businesses.