Out of Town Thrifty #1 Pamphlets ~ Southern Living Cupcakes and Nestle Sweet & Savory

Southern Living Cupcakes, Cookies & More, published in 2012. Another recipe card booklet, this time with 72 recipes and a few notes on baking essentials. Beside the cookies and cup cakes, there are recipes for pies & cobblers, candies, cakes and brownies/bars. I have a weird fascination with Lemon Bars/Squares and have made over 20 different recipes over the years and there is a Lemon Cheesecake Bar in the booklet that is calling my name!

Nestle 62 Sweet & Savory Recipes, published in 2009. All the recipes in the booklet use Nestle chips, Carnation evaporated milk, Libby's pumpkin or some combination of the three. The sweet chapters focus on breads, brownies, cookies, fudge, cakes and other desserts. While the savory includes entrees, soups, casseroles and vegetables.

The recipe for a Buckeye Cake caught my eye, it's like a GIANT Buckeye cookie, but covered in Chocolate Ganache. I am filing this recipe away for a future birthday celebration.

Page from Southern Living:

Page from Nestle:

Local Thrifty ~ The Opera Lover's Cookbook

The Opera Lover's Cookbook, published in 2006. There are only 125 recipes in the book comprising party menus for elegant entertaining based on famous operas or operatic themes. Photos of Metropolitan Opera (New York) productions fill the pages along with opera lyrics and notes from composers. A chapter on entertaining, setting a table and table decor rounds out the book, which was a gift to the previous owner from his grandmother.

A few of the menus include a tapas party ("Carmen"), a "Gershwin" brunch, a pub party ("Gilbert & Sullivan") and a "Puccini" Italian buffet. I did find one interesting drink recipe in the Vodka Tasting party (Russian composers) ~ a beer flip which is made with beer, an egg, orange juice and spices (the drink dates as far back as the Middle Ages).

Thrifty Time August Week 4 ~ Cupcakes and Once Upon a Stove

The Cupcake Cafe Cookbook, published in 1998. The Cupcake Cafe opened in 1988 (in New York) and is is renowned for their elaborately decorated cakes and cupcakes, usually done in a botanical theme. Besides the obvious recipes for both cakes and cupcakes, there is a myriad of  recipes for baked goods ranging from doughnuts, muffins/scones, cookies and pies. Tips and hints for cake decorating and a full chapter on butter cream frosting (including coloring techniques) - round out the book.

Once Upon a Stove, published in 1986. The book was sold as a fundraiser for the Birmingham (Alabama) Children's Theatre and is a bit massive for a community cookbook clocking in at 380 pages. In another twist, unlike most community cookbooks, the dessert section is only 100 pages long, or barely one-third of the recipes (I usually find a 50-50 ratio). Lots of great home cooking recipes fill the pages. I did spot two recipes I may try - the first "Ritz Delights" is very simple - dab peanut butter between two Ritz crackers and then dip in melted chocolate! The second recipe is for the "Pecan Roll" - a Southern staple often found at truck stops (i.e.  Stuckey's)  and convenience stores from Florida to Texas. I may make a few to give out as Christmas gifts along with homemade cookies.

Atlanta Thrift Finds #6 ~ Emeril's New Orleans Cooking and Christ Church Frederica

Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking, published in 1993.  The first cookbook authored by Mr. Lagasse, it was printed three years after his newly opened eatery Emeril's was named restaurant of the year by Esquire magazine. The recipes reflect the Creole or Cajun cuisine that brought world wide recognition to Mr. Lagrasse. There is a chapter on basic recipes (sauces and stocks) that are also utilized in many of the dishes, plus another on cooking techniques. The book is filled with lots of great B&W photos of New Orleans in the 90's.

Christ Church Frederica Cookbook, published in 1994. All the recipes in the book were collected and tested by the Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Frederica, St. Simon's Island, Georgia.  The book was a gift to the former owner by a docent of the church. Christ Church was chartered in 1808 and the first building erected in 1820. The church was rebuilt in a Gothic style after the Civil War. Each chapter's title page is a photo of the many stained glass windows that cover the church and were donated by church members with dates ranging from 1880's to (almost) present day.

The recipes are the usual fare found in church cookbooks, but there is one section ~ "Man's, Restaurant and Olde Time" that yielded a few unusual recipes. In the "Man's" section, an 11.19 POUND Lasagne is featured, while in "Olde Time", there are recipes for making hand soap and a dysentery cure!

Atlanta Thrift Finds #5~ Busy Peoples Slow Cooker Cookbook

Busy Peoples Slow Cooker Cookbook, published in 2003. Quick and easy recipes with 7 or less ingredients for the cook with little time on their hands. The recipes run the gamut from appetizers. breakfast , breads, desserts, entrees and the expected soups and stews. One difference is the author also employs food pouches on top of the entree for vegetables to keep any accompanying veggies from being too mushy to serve with the main meal. A good example is the Roasted Chicken with a pouch of quartered potatoes.  I LOVE using my crock pot all year round, especially in the colder months , but also in the summer to avoid heating up the house when the outside temperatures soar into the triple digits.

Atlanta Thrift Finds #4 ~ The World's Finest Foods

The World's Finest Foods, published in 1994. It's not really the World as only 12 countries are presented, including the United States. The book is printed on very nice art paper and the photos are amazing, both of the food and locations. Each chapter opens with a two page introduction of each country followed by the recipes. Most of the recipes are 1-2 pages long and featured beside each dish is a map of the region where it originated, wine notes and a small blurb on a specific ingredient in the dish.

Atlanta Thrift Finds #3 ~ California The Beautiful Cookbook

California The Beautiful Cookbook, published in 1991. Large coffee table style cookbook filled with glorious photos from every corner of California. The 200 recipes are categorized by areas of the state - the Southern Coast, the Inland Empire, the Central Valley and Coast, Gold Country, the Bay area & Far North and also using the usual boring monikers - Fish/Seafood, meats and desserts. At the intro to each chapter are long write-ups of the history, culture and people in the area.

It seems the late 1980's and early 1990's were a boom time for over sized coffee table style cookbooks as the other titles I own were also printed during that time period including another book (the next entry) that I found at the same thrift store as this book.

Atlanta Thrift Finds # 2~ In the Kennedy Style

 In the Kennedy Style - Magical Evenings in the Kennedy White House, published in 1998.The book was co-authored by Letitia Baldridge, Jackie Kennedy's social secretary and Rene Verdon, the White House chef hired by Mrs. Kennedy in 1961. Chef Verdon is credited with taking the food served at the White House to a new level, as the previous meals were prepared by caterers or Navy stewards.

There are only 35 recipes in the book taken from five actual menus served during the administration. The menus include a Moonlight Dinner at Mt. Vernon, Pablo Casals' cello performance at the White House, a banquet for Noel Laureates and Verdon's first task - a luncheon for  Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monaco (he served soft shell crabs and a lamb dish).

For Letitia's contribution, there are numerous seldom seen photos of the Kennedys at home in the White House, memorabilia and personal recollections. The book is also an autographed copy, signed by Ms Baldridge.

Chef Verdon continued on as chef after the Kennedy assassination, but quit when he was tasked with making a cold garbanzo bean puree (which he detested regardless of temperature) for the Johnsons.

Atlanta Thrift Finds #1 ~ Paula Deen Celebrates

Paula Deen Celebrates, published in 2006. This is the 5th cookbook published by Paula and was probably printed to coincide with her new show on the Food Network - Paula's Party - as they both occurred during the same year. There are menus and recipes for assorted holidays. Besides the usual suspects; birthdays, anniversaries, New Year's Eve, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter, a few unusual holidays are thrown in for good measure. There's the Mardi Gras party with a recipe for King Cake and the Elvis birthday which features a Peanut Butter Gooey Butter Cake and the traditional Fried Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich. The most glaring inclusion is for a Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Rum sauce (Mardi Gras celebration) and yes Krispy Kreme doughnuts are utilized in lieu of  the usual French bread. The doughnuts are doused with a can of sweetened condensed milk, canned fruit cocktail and raisins.  I guess the Rum Sauce is to make you forget the sugar coma you lapse into after eating a few bites!

Friends of the Library Sale - Summer Version ~ Quick Fixes and Happy Cooker

Southern Living Quick Fixes (with mixes), published in 2010. Super speedy recipes for the busy cook with each dish requiring only 15 minutes or less to prepare. Most of the recipes utilize canned goods, pre-shredded cheese, bags of greens and frozen foods. Surprisingly the recipes range from appetizers, main dishes, breads and desserts in addition to the expected soups, sandwiches and salads.

Since I cook almost every night (the exceptions are pizza night or leftovers night) I am always looking for quick meals to make the dinner process a bit more bearable. I have cut down on some of my cooking time by doing most of my prep work when I return from the grocery store and by planning and buying all the ingredients for at least 15-20 meals in one BIG shopping trip each month.

Happy Cooker, published in 1975. Recipes were compiled by the Women's Committee of Temple Sinai in Atlanta, Georgia.  Another book filled with yummy recipes from the ladies of the church/temple. The previous owner must have enjoyed making the Hawaiian Short Ribs as the page is heavily stained with soy sauce! Like with most community cookbooks, the dessert section is one of the largest chapters and filled with many tasty treats. The book also has a section filled with Jewish recipes and a chapter on gardening tips.

One Year Anniversary GIVE AWAY!!

After a couple of false starts, I finally starting writing my blog in earnest almost one year ago. To celebrate my first anniversary I will be giving away three different sets of cookbooks. 


The rules are very simple:

1. Leave a comment with the title of your favorite cookbook

2. The contest will end at 12:01am (EST) on September 7, 2014.

3. All commenter names will be placed in a hat and the three winners will be chosen by a disinterested third party (my husband - who "tolerates" my book hobby)

4. Winners will be announced on the blog by September 8, 2014. 


***Contest open to residents of the United States ONLY***

(due to postage costs, sorry!)
 


Giveaway#1 (first name drawn): Williams & Sonoma ~ California & The South

Giveaway #2 (second name drawn): 1982 World's Fair Cookbook & Good Housekeeping International Cookbook

Giveaway #3 (last name drawn): Vintage Casseroles (2) and Salad community cookbooks

Good luck and many thanks for reading!

Friends of the Library Sale - Summer Version ~ French Cooking: Larousse, Le Guide Culinaire & Dion Lucas

Larousse Gastronomique, published in 1965.  The first English translation was in 1961 and this copy is the 6th printing. The original French edition was published in 1938. Although there are recipes in the book, it is really more of an encyclopedia with over 1,100 pages. Auguste Escoffier was one of the authors and is considered a legend among chefs plus he was one of the leaders in the development of modern French cuisine. Many cooks/chefs consider this book more of a reference guide for various aspects of French cooking and techniques.

Le Guide Culinaire, published in 1979. Another French translation from Auguste Essoffier, this book is the first complete translation into English of "The Complete Guide to the Art of Modern Cookery" which was first published in 1903, and includes 2,000 recipes omitted from the 1907 translation. Again more of a reference book than a true cookbook,  it is still used today by culinary schools as a textbook.

The Dione Lucas Book of French Cooking, published in 1973.  Another massive book, this one is an actual cookbook filled with 880 pages on all aspects of French cuisine. Dione Lucas was the first female graduate of  Le Cordon Bleu and also the first woman featured in a cooking show on television.. She helped open two additional Le Cordon Bleu locations, one in London and the other in New York. Her lasting contribution? She introduced the American public to the omelet!