Anniversary Week: A Cookbook Recommendation

When I was married three decades ago, the big cookbook every newly married girl needed in her kitchen arsenal was Southern Sideboards, a product of the Jackson, Mississippi, Junior League.

My mother bought me my own copy, and I've used it often over the years. It's a great cookbook. It doesn't have every recipe you're looking for, but if it's in there, you can have utter confidence it will be an excellent recipe.

I'll give four examples that I've used and starred as "keepers." 
First, the No-Roll Pastry Crust:

I love pies but I hate making pie crusts. Some pies must have a rolled-out pastry crust, but many don't need them, like all "filling pies" -- pumpkin, pecan, chess, etc. This simple recipe is THE answer. I've made it many dozens of times, and it never fails.

Second, those Chocolate Graham Cracker Thingies:

Whoever Florence is, she gave us something oh-so yummy. This is the dessert you pull out when you have less than 30 minutes to make something, and it needs to be "finger food" type, and extremely delicious so that everybody at the party eats it first. You can also add coconut if you like, but it's perfection as it is. The only tricky part? Do NOT under any circumstances use the chocolate chips that have the chocolate liquor in them. That kind is designed not to melt, but to stay intact, and they won't work on this recipe. You'll end up with a nasty mess. Buy real chocolate chips, like Toll-House, and you'll be good to go.

Third, the world's most fabulous apple pie, at least according to Adam. I think it's a pain in the neck to make, but I must admit it's so delectable!

I even wrote "Adam's favorite" next to it, so I wouldn't forget. This pie has an added caramel shell you pour on top, Oh My!

And last, a recipe I tried for the first time this past weekend that was a smashing success:

Good ole banana pudding, so summery, so fresh and light. Again, this recipe takes some work. But wouldn't you expect that, to get a dish that makes everyone melt into their chairs and say, "Yummmm," when they take that first bite? Also, this recipe serves many more than 8 people. I made angel food cake (from a mix, duh). It is so, so, so much better than vanilla wafers. Adam dislikes bananas (bad childhood associations resulting from a potassium deficiency), but even he declared this dessert to be superb and had at least 2nds and I think 3rds. 

There you have it! This cookbook is available online, used, for a pittance. I've given away many, many cookbooks to the thrift store, but this one I always keep close at hand. Do you have a favorite cookbook? Why do you love it, and what's its name?