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Recommended Cook Books
A good cookbook plays a fundamental role in any cook's bag of tricks. We asked our customers to send us the name of their favorite cookbook and the reason why. We are pleased to share this list with you.

Cookbook Recommendation Drawing Winner:
Agnes Freas — Margaretville resident who recommended
Joy of Cooking
by Irma Rombauer
“I am a varied cook looking to cook and bake ethnic as well as Amercian dishes and whenever I am looking at recipes like Sauerbraten or Coq au Vin I will compare recipes and then adapt my own version. What I like about Joy of Cooking is that I can always find a basic version of the recipe I am looking for. Some cook books I have will not mention a certain dish at all.”

Joy of Cooking
by Irma Rombauer
Also Recommended by Janice Piedra:
“I have had mine since middle school, so it is somewhat out of date, but I use it frequently as a reference book. It is not the book I go to for a spectacular recipe but it has everything in it. How long and at what temperature do you cook a 2 pound meatloaf......what is kedgeree....what are the main ingredients for a bouillabaisse......how to draw, pluck, singe and truss a wild duck....you get the point.”

Eating European: Abroad and at Home - Volume 1
By Poppy Cannon
Recommended by Arthur Bartow:
“Here is Judy's cookbook recommendation. She's used this/these for years and loves them. It comes in two volumes. Volume 1 covers: France, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland, Ireland and Switzerland. Volume 2 covers: Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, Austria and Portugal. We have them in paperback but notice that they both have been published in a single hardcover volume. Judy's favorite recipes are Fondue and Coq au vin”

All Seasons Cookbook
Edited by Connie Colom / published by Mystic Seaport Museum Stores, Mystic, Ct.
Recommended by Nina Kasanof:
“Everything I have ever made from this cookbook is wonderful, but my very favorite recipe is their caponata , found in the index under "Eggplant appetizer (Caponata). I have tried quite a few caponata recipes from various cookbooks, and I think this one is the best! And when I have brought it to potlucks or cocktail parties, everyone I know seems to love it as well. I also frequently make their Black Midnight Mocha Cake with Fluffy Mocha Frosting — an excellent chocolate cake, and quite easy to make.”

New York Times Cookbook
Recommended by Nina Kasanof:
“I have been making his "Cuban Bread" for many years, and it is usually loved by all who taste it. It's his version of a James Beard recipe, and I find it simple to make, and relatively quick for a yeast bread.”

Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing
By Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn
Recommended by Carol Mauriello:
“I made the Duck Prosciutto. Came out amazing. Really very easy to make. It is the waiting that is hard.
I also made the lemon confit, that takes the 1-3 months-I have four more weeks to go-this will be great in stews, curries, sauces added to chicken will be my first dinner with the lemon rind. Yum!!
This a wonderful addition to anyones cookbook shelf.”

Low Calorie Gourmet
By Pierre Franey
Recommended by Patricia Adams:
“You can't go wrong with these recipes, and because they are "low calorie" they also tend to be made from pure ingredients without crazy long prep times. We always served the tangy almost-BBQ vinaigrette chicken breasts with rutabaga or another strong-minded vegetable ... and thyme-infused rice, which dances with the sauce from the sauteed chicken. OK, my mouth is watering, where is that damn book?”

Molto Italiano
By Mario Batali
Recommended by Michael Torelli & Maureen Torelli:
“The recipe that we like to most so far in this cookbook is the Onion Soup Emilia-Romagna-Style. It went perfect with multiple holiday dinners!”

Simple French Food, 1974
By James Olney
Recommended by George Warner:
" It's not very simple, but every recipe I tried worked out fine. One of my favorites is "Split, Stuffed, Baked Chicken." Everybody likes it."

Southern Living Our Readers Top-Rated Recipes
Recommended by Janice Piedra:
“If you want your family or guests to think you are a gourmet cook then pick a recipe from this book. It is full of great recipes that are not terribly difficult, (Breakfast Casserole or She-Crab Soup). The recipes are full fat, full flavor so they are impressive but not very diet friendly. My favorites are the desserts: Best Carrot Sheet Cake, Hummingbird Cake and Mississippi Mud Cake.”

The New Red Lion Inn Cookbook
Recommended by Janice Piedra:
“The Inn has been in Stockbridge, Mass. for more that 200 years. It was THE place to go for special family occasions for my mother, grandmother and great grandmother so the recipes have sentimental value for me as well as enjoying how good they are. The ones I use the most: Butternut-Cider Bisque and Red Lion Inn Bread Pudding.”

Greene on Greens
By Bert Greene
New York: Workman Publishing, 1984.
Recommended by Linda Wilson:
“Apple 'n' Parsnip sauce is a favorite winter recipe.”

The Natural Foods Cookbook
By Beatrice Trum Hunter / New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961.
Recommended by Linda Wilson:
“This is H. L.’s favorite. The basic millet recipe is his favorite, because we use it both as a cereal and to add to soups.”

Forum Feasts
By The Forum School, Waldwick, NJ
Recommended by Mary Lee Berry:
“THE best charity based cookbook ever….originally published in 1968, its format, accuracy of recipes, and recipes that will never be outdated have made it a favorite of many home cooks right up until today. From appetizers to sweets, it is a delicious experience, and has been my favorite source for inspiration in planning cocktail parties, brunches, dinner parties, Christmas teas, after ski meals, etc., etc., etc. I have worn out 2 books and I still go to Forum Feasts, even before checking the Internet. I have many, many favorite recipes from this book, but probably the most requested by friends is the Chocolate Top Oatmeal Squares.”

Best Recipes
By Ceil Dyer / Galahad Books, 1993
Recommended by Judie DV Smith

Soup: A Kother Collection
By Pam Reiss
Recommended by Iris Katzner:
“This soft cover book is a real Go-To book for both winter and summer soups. Good for the beginning cook or the accomplished one. The recipes can be simple, fast and healthy or elegant and mysterious (Still healthy) The recipes are listed by ingredients; Vegetarian, Dairy, Fish, Meats etc. The bottom of each gives nutritionals and methods of storing any leftovers. This book is a favorite gift of mine to rave reviews.”

The Cake Bible
Recommended by Rosary Immordino
"Because it IS!"

Molto Gusto
By Mario Batali
Recommended by Roseanna DeMaria:
“I love his pastas! ALL of them! He uses pasta water in his sauces. He uses lemons & cardoons with pasta & it is WONDERFUL! All of his antipasto are creative & easy to make. This cookbook tastes like Italy! You do not simply read it - you savor it! Bravo Mario!”

The Simple Art of Baking
By Flo Braker
Recommended by Carmel Dorn:
“Picking a favorite cookbook is almost like picking your favorite child. If I only get one choice, I would have to pick "The Simple Art of Baking" by Flo Braker. The recipes are easy to follow, well detailed and classics. I can't imagine learning to bake without it.”

Eat This It’ll Make You Feel Better
By Dom DeLuise
Recommended by Anne Spiegeleire

Once Upon a Tart
By Frank Mentesana (our very own New Kingston part time resident!)
Recommended by Elaine Faulkner
"Gotta love it! Favorite recipe: Raspberry-Cranberry Linzer Tart with Linzer Lattice Crust. Fairly simple to make, holds up well in the fridge. Most of the recipes are relatively easy to make. I haven't found one yet that I don't like!"

The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook,
1st Edition 1953
Recommended by Kate Lawrence
"If I was forced to have just ONE cookbook (thank got I'm NOT) it would be this one. I use it far more than any other."

My Bread
By Jim Lahey
Recommended by Laura O'Connor

Arthur Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Memories of the Real Little Italy
By Anne Volkwein
Recommended by Enid Cytrin

Hometown Cooking in New England: The Very Best Recipes From Community Cookbooks
By Sandra J. Taylor
Recommended by Raelene Bond
"This cookbook is the true spirit of community country cooking. The book reflects the personality of a neighborhood from which the recipes come. Some of the names oft eh recipes ar "Granny's Granola" Sunday Morning Maple Waffles" and "Bourlder Farm Bread". Don't they sound YUMMY! Each recipe is easy to prepare and you can find the ingredients in the average grocery store."

More Home Cooking
By Laurie Colwin
Recommended by Melissa Stephenson
"This is a collection of food essays that include lots of recipes that you can easily make in your own kitchen."

Cookbooks Recommended by Dorothy Maffei

Classic Italian Cooking
By Marcella Hazan
"The Pork Loin braised in milk is incredible and her Ossobuco is great. It is just a great, basic guide ot many Classic Italian dishes."

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
By Ina Garten
"This was Ina's first cookbook and has many simple and delicious recipes."

Provencal Light
By Martha Rose Schulman
"Wonderful, healthy and simple recipes."