Review by Martha Quillen
Food – January 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
The Best of Arlene’s Cuisine
by Arlene Shovald, Ph.D.
Published in 2003 by Arkansas Valley Publishing Co.
THE COVER OF Arlene Shovald’s cookbook says “21 Years of Favorite Recipes from The Mountain Mail … with a Special Focus on the Holidays,” and that pretty much sums up this book. But there are a few other things that you might want to know.
First off, the book includes recipes for main dishes, desserts, breads, vegetables, appetizers, beverages, meats, sandwiches and other items, along with interesting tidbits about where the recipes came from. (Many of them were prize winners in local cooking competitions, or old favorites contributed by local residents. Some come from Arlene’s personal recipe collection, and others are from national contests and cooking promotions).
The Best of Arlene’s Cuisine has got a great spiral-notebook style binder and heavy paper pages which make it easy to keep open and use the recipe you want.
It has a good table of contents and index, and a festive green and red cover which makes it an especially fitting Christmas gift.
The recipe instructions are very clear, and many of the recipes are quick and easy.
Haven at the Book Haven told me that the Hummingbird Cake was especially good. And to my surprise, the book also included a depression-era recipe for Wacky Cake, which has always been my mother-in-law’s favorite recipe, and consequently one of Ed’s favorites — except I keep misplacing the cards I write it on.
Now, I should be able to find my recipe for Wacky Cake, along with instructions for making a host of unusual local offerings including: Madam Laura Evan’s Raisin Pie; Zucchini Burritos; Italian Cream Cake; and a Rolled Oven Omelet.
