Two weeks ago the Throwback Thursday Cookbook was Cold-Weather Cooking by Sarah Leah Chase. Cold-Weather was actually Sarah’s second book. Her first, published in 1987, was the Nantucket Open-House Cookbook. It was true preview cookbook, offering us glimpses into Sarah’s creativity, spontaneity, and yes even humor.
For late summer when tomatoes about, Sarah loves a recipe from her aunt using, among other things 21 pounds of tomatoes and 1 cup of bourbon:
- Bourbon Tomato Relish
If the idea of “hash” does not bring a smile to your face, then this hash version featuring both apples and cider is sure to make the edges of your mouth turn upward:
- Chicken and Apple Hash with Cider Cream
Potatoes and pears rarely appear together, but they do in:
- Chilled Potato, Pear and Arugula Soup
Disappointed with bland look and taste of most corn chowders, Sarah went to work and invented:
- Mexican Corn Soup with Shrimp and Cilantro Puree
If soups are in your favor, and if you love avocado, then you’ll find:
- Peruvian Avocado Soup
For your holiday turkey, you might consider:
- Savory Apricot-Sausage Stuffing
If you love turkey, here’s a complex recipe packed with flavor:
- Smoked Turkey with Artichoke Hearts and Green Peppercorn Tarragon Mayonnaise
My favorite recipe in the book uses my favorite food, soft shell crabs. But, it is the accompaniment not the crab that stars in:
- Soft Shell Crabs with Smoked Salmon and Bacon Butter.
While it is not soft shell crab season, Suzen and I contemplating how to make and employ this flavor packed butter in the coming week.
Sarah was a caterer who had to offer excellence from appetizers to dessert. Dessert ideas here include:
- Expresso Walnut Cake
- Grapefruit Curd for Tarts and Tartlets
Suzen and I will pick and choose through these ideas this holiday season, test, taste, photograph, and share the results with you.
You can, of course, enjoy all these delights directly. Track down a copy of Nantucket Open‑House Cookbook, thumb through the pages, and stop when your mouth and soul agree.