Classic Reviews

Reviews from earlier Newsletters

And Roses for the Table, Junior League of Tyler, Texas

Another spectacular cookbook from the state of Texas—a lovely addition to anyone’s collection. Tyler is the nation’s rose capital and throughout the book are beautiful photographs of rose embellished tabletops as well as gardening tips and historical rose lore.

This lovely book contains 360 enticing recipes from family favorites (Green Enchiladas, Buttermilk Ice Cream, Tomato Aspics, Toasted Cheese and Tomato Sandwiches) to professional dishes (Johnny Cace’s Gumbo, Star Canyon’s Wild Mushroom Enchiladas).

One chapter is devoted to regional specialties such as Southwestern Bouillabaisse and Lidia’s Tortillas Soup. Another chapter features small meals, perfect for today’s lighter cuisine such as Fiesta Chicken Salad with Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette.

And Roses for the Table is a garden of culinary delights and makes a wonderful gift for anyone.

Hardcover 1997 $24.95

California Sizzles, Junior League of Pasadena

It is no surprise that this book from the Junior League of Pasadena has continued to be one of our top five sellers since we added it to our collection in 1992. This book represents the energy and excitement of California living. The recipes are easy, quick to prepare, imaginative and fresh. A visually memorable book with many color photographs and clever graphics makes California Sizzles lively, useable and fun.

Hardcover 1992 336 pages $21.95

Beyond Burlap, Junior League of Boise, Idaho

If you love potatoes this is definitely the book for you. Between the covers of this special book you will find over 200 of the best potato recipes. Throughout there are hints to help you bake, scallop or mash a better potato as well as descriptions of the popular potato varieties.

Here are tasty, easy to use recipes for Potato Crusted Halibut Steaks, Basque Lentil Potato Soup, Potato Sausage Tart, Delmonico Potatoes, and…how about a delicious dessert…Chocolate Spice Potato Cake!!

As a bonus there is a section highlighting Idaho’s famous resorts as well as entertaining stories about Idaho. Beyond Burlap was the 1997 West Regional Winner of the Tabasco Cookbook Award.

Hardcover 1997 $19.95

Private Collection and Private Collection 2, Junior League of Palo Alto

Beautiful companion volumes, each contains over 100 truly outstanding recipes for special menus. These are 6 x 9 inch, slim hardbacks with a sewn binding to lie flat. Private Collection is bound in brown linen; Private Collection 2 in fresh green linen. Each is decorated with delicate line drawings of northern California fauna and flora on fine paper.

Both volumes are Tastemaker Award winners. Private Collection was the first self-published cookbook to receive the Tastemaker Award in 1980. These are classic books and are a must for every cook and collector.

Hardcover 1980 and 1984 $15.95

Overlake School Cookbook, Overlake School Parents Association, Redmond, Washington

By the same editor/author as the Tastemaker Award-winning Private Collections, the Overlake School Cookbook is of the same quality but more relaxed in content. Recipes are easy and quick with common ingredients. This cookbook contains 187 really good, thoroughly tested recipes for the entire family, vacation living, the new bride, the single cook… teenagers love this!

The Taco Pie and the Sherry Bars have become staples in our households.

This 6 x 9 inch volume has a Wedgwood blue and white calico print cover. Delightful drawings of rural settings are scattered through its pages. This is an excellent gift for a friend or for yourself.

Hardcover 1984 $13.95

Colorado Cache, Junior League of Denver

Enormously popular with cooks. Twenty-three printings for the first edition (1978). Now in their fourth edition. One feels that they are getting a lot for their money. Over 800 tested recipes that are easy and they “work”. Easy to read (Helvetica type); broad selection including a microwave section.

Two excellent additional cookbooks from the Junior League of Denver: Crème de Colorado (hardcover, 1987, $19.95) and Colorado Collage (hardcover, 1995, $24.95)

Softcover 1997 (4^th edition) $15.95

Beyond Parsley, Junior League of Kansas City

The title connotes that there is something “beyond parsley” when it comes to presenting food. The authors are true to their words. This handsome 8 ½ x 11-inch hardbound book contains over 370 tested recipes set among exceptionally beautiful, high-color photographs.

Beyond Parsley provides a broad assortment of recipes for glamorous evenings at home or easy entertaining, with special suggestions for a beautiful presentation.

This and the companion book Above and Beyond Parsley (hardbound, 1986, $26.95) were among our first discoveries and remain popular with our customers today.

Hardcover 1984 $24.95

Junior League Centennial Cookbook, Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

Over 750 of the most treasured recipes from 200 Junior Leagues. A must for the Junior League cookbook collector.

Hardcover, wire bound 1996 $25.00

Cooking in the Nude, Debbie and Stephen Cornwell

The Cooking in the Nude series are our most popular gift books. They consistently add a touch of humor to a collection of easy, but excellent recipes. The original Quickies offers easy- to- prepare recipes for those who have more on their mind for the evening. You can also choose from Red Hot Lovers (racy and spicy recipes for two), Playful Gourmets or Just Married to find that perfect gift, The latest additions are:

For Golf Lovers - After an exhilarating day on the golf course, try sporty and suggestive romantic recipes such as Tees Me and Scoring with Scallops.

For Wine Lovers - A perfect combination of good food and good wine. Message in a Bottle, Raucous Bacchus, and Merlot Mischief will add to a memorable evening.

Perfect bound Soft cover, various 1997 - 1999 $9.95

Christmas from the Heart of the Home

A favorite for the holidays from Susan Branch. Beautifully illustrated by the author this book makes a wonderful Christmas gift. In addition to the wonderful Christmas recipes (Classic Egg Nog, Mother's Goose, Steamed Christmas Pudding), this book provides many ideas for decorating and entertaining. Also filled with holiday sayings and Susan's essays, this book makes for pleasurable reading on holiday evenings.