Calling All Foodies: Get Your Best Recipes Ready to Share at the Library

From Somerset County Library System of New Jersey:

Somerset County, NJ - Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s Warren Township Library branch wants you to dig out your best apple recipe and head over for the first meeting of the Recipe Club on Monday, September 12 at 7 p.m.

“Sharing food and cooking knowledge creates a sense of community,” said Cathy DeBerry, adult services librarian at SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch and co-facilitator of the Recipe Club. “Like the potluck days of yore, we -- the club facilitators at the Library -- hope patrons bond as they sample new dishes every month, while they expand their palates.”

"We're hopeful attendees will be inspired by the cookbooks in our collection related to the month's theme and will prepare a dish to share at the meetings," said Diane Hahn, adult services librarian at SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch and co-facilitator of the Recipe Club.

To get the community ready for the first club gathering, DeBerry and Hahn offer a "beyond apple pie" recipe for people to try.

“Every baker has a ‘go-to’ apple pie recipe,” said DeBerry. “We were looking for ‘outside of the box’ apple recipes and one of our patrons shared this crowd pleasing treat with us. It sounds too good to keep to ourselves. We hope this inspires everyone to try something a little different -- and to bring it with them to our meeting to share!”

Applesauce Cookies
*Makes about 3 dozen*

1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar, Demerara or Turbinado
1 egg
1 cup applesauce
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.2. In a medium sized bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cloves, and cinnamon).
3. Using a stand or hand mixer, blend the shortening, sugar, and egg. Once blended, mix in the applesauce.
4. Add dry ingredients to the mixer bowl and stir. Add raisins and nuts and mix just until incorporated. (Do not over mix.)
5. Grease a baking sheet with shortening, and use a teaspoon to drop cookie batter onto sheet 2" apart.
6. Bake at 375 F for approximately 10 minutes, or until brown.

The Recipe Club program will also meet Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m., when all things soups and stews will be shared to help you get ready for cold weather. On November 14 at 7 p.m., the Recipe Club will explore Thanksgiving Day, the easy way.

Registration is required to attend. To register, visit SCLSNJ.org or call 908-754-5554.

Photo courtesy of Somerset County Library System of New Jersey: Diane Hahn (left) and Cathy DeBerry, librarians at SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch and co-facilitators of the Recipe Club.