READ THIS: The Chesapeake Collection: A Treasury of Recipes and Memorabilia from Maryland's Eastern Shore Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
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In the age of the celebrity chef, when the Food Network on television is one of the most popular stations, when the price of a sandwich from the corner deli is higher than the cost of an entree ten years ago, it's highly refreshing to come across a book like The Chesapeake Collection: A Treasury of Recipes and Memorabilia from Maryland's Eastern Shore, published by Schiffer Publishing. Originally published in 1983 to support the Women's Club of Denton, Inc., this book is a treasure trove of recipes that hearken back to a simpler time. The book was originally created as a fundraiser to preserve the historic building that serves as the clubhouse for the Women's Club of Denton, Inc., and was so well-received that it has gone through a number of additional printings. The foreword by Dr. Thomas A. Flowers, entitled "Eastern Shore Flavor" explains where the Eastern Shore of Maryland is (the nine counties of Maryland that border on the eastern fringes of the Chesapeake Bay), and just what the Eastern Shore Flavor is. Although Dr. Flowers finds it challenging to perfectly describe the flavor in words, he mentions that the "old timers" in the region would say that it's the "wild" taste. And sure enough, there is a chapter on game dishes that include recipes with squirrels, quail, muskrat, terrapin, and other critters that may be thought of as "wild." And even in their more traditional dishes, especially those that are seafood-based, will have a more "wild" taste, thanks to the freshness of the ingredients. Well, whatever the "Eastern Shore Flavor" is, the women of the Women's Club of Denon, Inc., have done a terrific job of putting their family recipes on paper. The chapters are broken down by appetizers, beverages, soups, breads, salads and salad dressings, seafoods, game, main dishes, vegetables and accompaniments, desserts, pickles, jellies, and preserves, and herbs and miscellaneous. I've looked through all of them and found a number I can't wait to try. For instance, the very first recipe in the book is for "Bacon Yum Yums." Now, really, who wouldn't want to try that?! Indeed,The Chesapeake Collection is a must-have for any at-home cook!
I really love to cook. I am always looking for new ideas and recipes for tasty dishes to make for dinner. I love cooking meals for myself and my roommate, and I find a real thrill when I create something delicious for a dinner party. There is no better reward than the smiling faces and compliments of dinner guests! That is why I was so delighted when I found The Chesapeake Collection: A Treasury of Recipes and Memorabilia from Maryland's Eastern Shore. This book was created in 1983 by the Woman's Club of Denton, Inc. It was made to raise funds to preserve its clubhouse, a former schoolhouse built in 1883. They have included so many fantastic recipes from their members. From appetizers to main dishes to desserts, you can find it all - even a recipe for squirrel pot pie! So far, it has yet to disappoint, and I can't wait to try out more of the great recipes in this book!
The sixty members of the women’s club of Denton put together this cookbook to benefit the upkeep of the first public library in rural Caroline County, Maryland. The club was founded in 1919. One of the County’s favorite meat recipes included in the book was shocking to me. Muskrat Stew…There are interesting illustrations and old photographs used in the book. On page 119 a bit of wisdom. “don’t turn back home when you’ve forgotten something, you’ll be sure to have bad luck.” Interestingly, there were many men who contributed recipes to the book. They include the Governor Harry R. Hughes of the state of Maryland. Definitely try these yummy lemon cups. It would be my estimation that 75% of these wonderful recipes have never reached north of the Mason Dixon line. What was so fun was the names like po’man’s Chain Saw Moassacre Pudding, Dump Cake and Hobo Bread. The book will get women of all ages cooking!
Are you hankering for muskrat? Page 101 will tell you how to prepare it, just to whet your appetite. Corn pudding, oyster fritters, and snapper soup follow in this picturesque (via recipe) cookbook. "The Chesapeake Collection" by Schiffer gives us the Woman's Club of Denton and their tried and true recipes from the shores of Maryland. Clams, crabs and dandelion salad live in this collection of folk recipes. Americana at its best, for the hungry, and the adventurous, wafts from its pages. If you've ever needed a recipe for "Poke Sallat" (remember the song?), it's in here. Visiting regional America via it's cuisine has never been more fun. The Eastern Seaboard influence, and the Bay ingredients are well known to some of us who hail from the area, and the throwback references are as intriguing as rifling through your grandmother's recipe box. This is a great addition to your cookbook library, and reminds us all of our roots: comfort food 101.
One of my favorite things to do is to cook. I always find myself in the kitchen when I'm stressed. When I opened this cookbook, I found so many recipes I wanted to try. I love dill dip and it's usually a favorite when I'm going to a pitch-in. It's the best dill dip I've ever made. I have been told I have to make this every time we have a pitch-in. I haven't made it much past the appetizers yet, but I'm looking forward to the Tomato Cheeseburger Pie and the Connecticut Beef Supper. I know of several people who love to cook as much as I do and this is the perfect cookbook for them. I highly recommend it.
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"The really great cooks of the Eastern Shore, when confronted to share their recipes, usually hedge with, ‘Well, I put in a smidgen of honey, a little tad of onion, a small sliver of fat back...a handful of walnuts, but then again, I use a handful of raisins if I don't have the nuts.'" —from the foreword by Dr. Thomas A. Flowers. The Chesapeake Collection, created in 1983 by the Woman's Club of Denton, Inc., has captured these "tads" and "smidgens" and translated them into recipes that any creative cook can use and enjoy serving to family and friends.
