Cookbook Project, Book #19

[ladysprite]

"The Frugal Gourmet Cooks American," Jeff Smith

This book technically belongs to my husband. He's got a bunch of Frugal Gourmet books, and I'll admit I've never used any of them - they're little, dull-looking paperbacks with small print and quirky flavor text, and I've just got so many others that I never got around to these ones. But last weekend I asked him to grab a couple of random books for this week's dinners, and this was the first one he handed me. I was dubious - I figured it was going to be a weird conglomeration of pseudo-modern ethnic food, and doubted I'd find anything worth trying inside.

I was wrong. It's a fascinating blend of regional and historical recipes, including sections on Colonial and Native American cooking, and I deeply regret not having looked through it earlier.

I wound up unable to narrow myself down to one recipe, so Monday's dinner was Fish and Potatoes (which is actually a pie made with kind of a codfish ball filling), with Apple Pudding for dessert. The fish and potatoes were unusual and interesting and tasty, though perhaps not something that's going to enter my daily repertoire. The apple pudding, though.... it's a kind of custard made with an applesauce base, and when it's made with homemade applesauce (which was made from fresh-picked apples) it's utterly to die for.

This book is definitely getting moved up to the 'active use' shelf, and is getting a sincere apology from me for overlooking its awesomeness just because of its humble outside....

Comments

[auntiemame67.livejournal.com]

My parents learned to cook when I was a baby by watching the Frugal Gourmet, and possibly the Galloping Gourmet. If you get the chance, look at The Frugal Gourmet Cooks with Wine (or something like that). It's an interesting book and gave me some things to try. I don't drink, as you know, but I do enjoy cooking with wine. I find it gives many dishes that little piquant zing, and, of course, I make sure the booze part cooks off. :)

I am enjoying reading your cookbook experiments this year, btw, and will email you and ask for recipes that sound yummy!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I learned to cook from The Frugal Gourmet, and cherish my cookbooks of his (the hardcover versions are a bit roomier and nicer).

[laurion]

Even as a child I enjoyed watching The Frugal Gourmet, because he was so comfortable in the kitchen and told the best anecdotes while cooking, unlike the current crop of tv chefs. I also like his definition of frugal: "It means not wasting things, not wasting time or space. But there's no reason you can't avail yourself of the full range of delights at the Lord's table." (He was a Minister as well.)

[ravenrose.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you discovered the FG... and Miryam might get some ideas from Cooks American... *grins*

[lucasthegray.livejournal.com]

completely unrelatedly, I thought you should see this video

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear god that's adorable - thank you! :)

[weasel2000.livejournal.com]

I got interested in cooking watching the Frugal Gourmet..every saturday afternoon, PBS cooking shows, him, galloping gourmet, Jacques Torres and others...Ahhh good times...