Cookbooks in the Pantry: The Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition
When we moved from log house to city apartment, I downsized my large cookbook collection, and kept fewer than 100 cookbooks. What made the cut, and why?
The Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition, by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins (2007)
Why I've kept it: The original Silver Palate Cookbook was, to cooks of my generation, what Joy of Cooking was to our parents. Unique in format, packed with lots of informative and sometimes amusing sidebars, The Silver Palate Cookbook -- born of a popular New York City gourmet take-out shop -- introduced us to bold ingredients, unusual flavor combinations, and fearless entertaining. Chapters covered appetizers to desserts, plus brunch and beverages.
When my original paperback copy came apart at the seams, I knew I would replace it. Before I got around to that, this 25th anniversary edition was published, with a few updates to the recipes. And photographs, not for every recipe, but plenty of full-color photos throughout. The new edition retains all of the quirky layout and style of the original; unlike my 1982 edition, this one does not feature stuck-together, food-stained pages.
I can't count how many times I've made my slightly adapted version of Chicken Marbella, most recently this past summer for my friend Lucia's wedding. I'm looking forward to another twenty-five years with the Silver Palate gals.
Bookmarked, to try next: beef carbonnade, rice and vegetable salad, old-fashioned lemon pie.
Do you have The Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition, or the original edition, on your cookbook shelf?
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I have this book, but I had forgotten about it!
BTW, no idea why the Typepad gods are letting me comment today because I haven't been able to for weeks.
Yes! 25th anniversary edition is at Rhode Island house...but I still use my worn out, dogeared 1982 edition in South Carolina. Those stains and tears and markers all remind me of 30+ years of dinners with friends and family and make me laugh--and cry. You may be downsizing, Lydia, but here's a new cookbook for you: Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard. The innovative southern recipes are refreshing and it's a great read!
I have the book and never use it!
However, Great Good Food, by Julee Rosso (co-author of Silver Palate), is a favorite. It's more in keeping with the way I eat, conscious of nutrition (and weight gain), still with the flair and cultural diversity of SP.
I did almost go into the NYC store -- it was 1966, so trendy that there was no room to maneuver in their tiny space (and prices...), so I left. Another close brush with fame, not regretted.
For the record, I couldn't have been to Silver Palate in 1966, because it didn't exist until 1977. So much for memory.