About Town: Cool Reads for Hot Days Cookbooks Edition

Opening day of the Fort Lee Farmers Market Sunday not only brought out Fort Lee residents, but also quite a few friends from our neighboring towns as well.

After almost a week of rain, Sunday was picture perfect for getting out, and the farmer's market was the perfect place to get out to. Not only was there an abundance of fruits, vegetables, breads, pickles, olives, cheeses, freshly baked cookies, pies, cupcakes and cakes, but the Fort Lee Historic Committee and the Fort Lee Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs sponsored a free historic jitney tour around Fort Lee, and people were lined up waiting to take the tour.

With all these people strolling around--most weighed down by bags of fresh produce--we thought it would be great to ask about their favorite cookbooks and their favorite recipe from the cookbook. So here are your neighbors’ picks for cookbooks, along with their favorite recipes.

The Sopranos Family Cookbook, Allen Rucker

Tony from the Junction says that this is his all-time favorite cookbook. Originally a joke gift from a cousin, Tony says that he has since made just about every recipe in the book.

“The dishes in this book are the closest to my grandmother’s cooking that I’ve ever come across," he said.

What’s his favorite recipe in the book?

“Ooh, I’m going to have to say it’s a tie between the Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce and the Stuffed Artichokes. If you like Rudy’s mussels (Rudy’s is a restaurant in Cliffside Park), then this is just like them. And they’re so easy to make. 10 minutes and a fresh loaf of Italian bread and you’ve got dinner. And the artichokes! I haven’t tasted stuffed artichokes like that since my grandmother died. Oh, and the Escarole with Garlic is awesome. Jeeze, the whole book is great. Now I’m hungry!”

So are we, Tony. So are we.

The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Recipes and Memories from the Real Little Italy, Ann Volkwein

Anna from Main St. grew up near Arthur Ave. and remembers every Saturday going with her mother to get all the fresh tomatoes and basil for the Sunday gravy at the market, the butcher to get the braciole, the fishmonger for the baccala and the fresh breads and pastries! A gift from her grandchildren to remind her of her childhood, Anna loves this cookbook because it not only evokes memories of growing up, but also reminds her how food was cooked fresh every day.

This cookbook contains recipes from all the top Arthur Ave. spots: Mario’s Restaurant, Mike’s Deli, Arthur Avenue Café, Borgatti’s Ravioli and Egg Noodles, Randazzo’s, Madonia Brothers Bakery, Addeo & Sons Bakers, Arthur Avenue Bread, Artuso Pastry, Egidio’s Pastry and more.

Anna’s favorite recipe? Artuso’s Pignoli Cookies.

“Anyone who loves Pignoli Cookies knows that bakeries sell them for about $12.99/lb. Here you can make them for pennies and they’re better than the bakery,” she said.

Eat This…It’ll Make You Feel Better, by Dom DeLuise

Paul from Abbott Blvd. says that his favorite cookbook has been with him longer than his wife.

“I love the movie Fatso with Dom DeLuise, and I think this book came out right after the movie," he said. "It’s got the best Italian recipes—just like my mother made. And Dom’s a paisan. He’s Italian and fat like me, so of course the food has to be good! Come on!”

Paul’s favorite recipe?

“Oh, you’re killing me! My favorite? Okay, well I have to say it’s the Pizza Grana," he said. "It wasn’t Easter in my house without my mother getting all the ricotta and grain from Fairway and making Pizza Grana for the whole neighborhood. Dom’s recipe is the exact one my mother used.”

The Silver Palate Cookbook, by Julee Russo and Sheila Lukins

Mary from Englewood Cliffs said this is the Bible in her kitchen. She received a copy as a bridal shower gift about 30 years ago and it still remains her favorite cookbook.

“Before anyone was really talking sustainable cooking, The Silver Palate Cookbook was encouraging people to eat fresh and be healthy,” she said.

All of the recipes come from The Silver Palate gourmet food shop in Manhattan that was built upon the concept of offering people simple food simply prepared in a special way.

Mary said that despite the fact that additional Silver Palate Cookbooks have been written, this original one remains her favorite. Whether she’s making dinner for herself and her husband, or having a dinner party, The Silver Palate Cookbook is her meal planner.

Mary’s favorite recipe?

“I’m actually making it tonight: Basque Salad," she said. "It’s really a rice salad with shrimp, and tiny pieces of meats like prosciutto and pepperoni with fresh herbs and peppers. It’s a great light supper. All you need is a glass of chilled white wine and there’s dinner. Easy, healthy and delicious.”      

All of these cookbooks are available at the Fort Lee Public Library except Dom DeLuise’s Eat This, which can be ordered from another library and delivered to the Fort Lee Library by clicking here.

If you have a favorite cookbook, comment here or drop us a line and let us know.