Cookbook Club members gathered for the first time in January, many with a dish to pass, several with cookbooks and/or recipes to share. The first course in our new culinary adventures: Appetizers.
Two of the books shared with the group came from the club members private cookbook collection, both books had a local connection.
Life, on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Reinventing the Way We Eat is the story of Grant Achatz. Many Michiganders recognize the Achatz name for not only the Achatz Diners scattered throughout the Detroit Metro area, but Achatz Pie Company home of the world famous Four Berry Pie, Achatz Burgers, soups and more. The story of Grant's Achatz's climb to culinary success while overcoming cancer is one of inspiration.
The French Laundry is the Napa Valley Restaurant Grant trained at for four years, learning from acclaimed chef and proprietor Thomas Keller, author of the French Laundry Cookbook, shown here. The French Laundry Cookbook has been in print for 20 years. The Amazon reviewer for The French Laundry Cookbook states,
"From innovative soup techniques, to the proper way to cook green vegetables, to secrets of great fish cookery, to the creation of breathtaking desserts; from beurre monté to foie gras au torchon, to a wild and thoroughly unexpected take on coffee and doughnuts, The French Laundry Cookbookcaptures, through recipes, essays, profiles, and extraordinary photography, one of America's great restaurants, its great chef, and the food that makes both unique."
One hundred and fifty superlative recipes are exact recipes from the French Laundry kitchen—no shortcuts have been taken, no critical steps ignored, all have been thoroughly tested in home kitchens. If you can't get to the French Laundry, you can now re-create at home the very experience."
The home cooks ability to re-create these recipes will be the test for anyone confident enough to try.
Another type of Local Flavor Cookbook discussed was the self published community or organization cookbook used as a fundraiser to champion many local causes. Judy shared one such cookbook with the group. The book shared from her private collection was called Island Delights, a collection of recipes from the inhabitants of Russell Island, and self published by the Russell Island Foundation..
Russell Island is a small private island located on the St. Clair River in Michigan. The island is located between Algonac and Walpole Islands and is due north of Harsen's Island. Russell island is accessible by ferry or watercraft.
The recipes in these types of cookbooks are generally local family recipes. Judy, the book club members who shared this book with the group, is a friend of one of the recipe's authors and she choose make and bring her friends recipe to share. Deer Hunting is a popular past-time not only on Russell Island but throughout the state. Judy brought: Deer Camp Dip to honor her friend and recognize this statewide passion.
Many group members have purchased these types of cookbooks filled with delicious recipes and local flavor in support of the community. Reminiscing about wonderful recipes found in these local treasures promoted another member, Rita to donate several extra copies of two such cookbooks to the library for cookbook club members to peruse and enjoy. These cookbooks certainly provide a culinary snapshot into decade the they were produced and add a little more to the local flavors available.
The two books are pictured here and will be available at the next book club meeting for interested members.
