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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v05n06)
Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
posted: Mar. 14, 2008

Recipes Then and Now header


Cook books

Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


If you have been a reader of The Broad Ripple Gazette for a while you probably are aware I like cook books. I have a large collection I have gathered from friends and family or Goodwill and garage sales. Used book stores are also a favorite haunt to find treasures to add to my bookshelves. I have even had generous readers give me several in need of a new home.
I seem to lean toward older books, from the fifties on back. But there are several I have bought brand new and actually paid full price to acquire. These are mostly books about cooking that are not really cook books. 'English Bread and Yeast Cookery' by Elizabeth David is fascinating reading. One that has recently been updated, Harold McGee's 'On Food and Cooking', was a significant investment at the time I purchased my copy. It is a great book to have if you like the science behind the cooking we do.
Don't get me wrong, I do have new cook books in my collection. Every year when the new 'Taste of Home Annual Recipes' is issued I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
My very new copy of 'Baking Illustrated' from Cooks Illustrated Magazine is full of practical information I am sure to refer to again and again. Several years ago I was in Vermont and visited the Bakers Catalogue Store and bought a copy of 'The King Arthur Flour 200th Anniversary Cookbook'. If a book comes along and I think it is worth having right now, the money will be there.
Other cook books in my collection include 'Home Cookin' with Dave's Mom' by David Letterman's mother. I have a nearly pristine copy of the 1950 first edition of 'Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book'. Also, three different copies of 'The Joy of Cooking'. The most expensive cook book cost almost fifty dollars. I had been on the lookout for a copy for years; 'Winners' from the Junior League of Indianapolis.
Here is a recipe from one of the many cook books I have. Unfortunately in making this dish for the pictures it turned out awful! All the soup, cheese and tomatoes just turned the tortillas to mush. The chunks of chicken were tasty but the rest is just glop. This just proves my adage; don't experiment on guests. In other words don't try out a new recipe if you really need a meal to be servable to guests. This is a similar situation. I needed this to be something I could share with you. It is really not a recipe I would suggest you try. My apologies, I will have something better next issue.


King Ranch Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 corn tortillas
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. Cheddar cheese, grated
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes

Cook chicken until tender. Dip tortillas in warm chicken broth; grease 9x13 inch casserole and line with tortillas (overlapping). Layer the chicken, onion, pepper, soups, and cheese. Blend tomatoes in blender and pour over all. Bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan


Recipes: Then & Now - Cook books - by Douglas Carpenter
image courtesy of Douglas Carpenter
Quan





Douglas Carpenter is an avid recipe and cookbook collector. He has over 400 cookbooks in his library and he has published two cookbooks of locally-collected recipes. He has won sweepstakes and blue ribbons in the Culinary Arts division of the Indiana State Fair. Email your cooking questions to douglas@BroadRippleGazette.com




douglas@broadripplegazette.com
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