Cookbooks provide celebrities opportunities to maintain name recognition with the public, support a cause, chronicle a personal life journey, re-enforce a connection to a well-known television program or even promote a personal interest in cooking.
Paul Newman's Newman's Own Cookbook is comprised of recipes from family and friends in addition to those developed by Newman himself. The proceeds from sales are used to support a camp for chronically ill children. Joan Lunden used her cookbook to promote a healthier lifestyle while chronicling her own journey from fat to fit. The publication of Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook added dimension to a character from a well-known television show.
Some celebrity's connection with the cookbook was tenuous at best. Elvis in Hollywood includes a collection of regional recipes, but whose main focus was to showcase photographs of Elvis Presley on movie sets and at industry functions, everywhere but in the kitchen. On the other hand, Dinah Shore, Paul Newman and Joan Lunden were involved in all aspects of their projects, from compiling and testing recipes to layout and wardrobe.
Animated characters such as Mickey Mouse are used to appeal to children in an effort to not only interest them in cooking but also in helping them develop healthier eating habits.
And why do these cookbooks appeal to the masses? As the celebrities look to stay in the public eye, fans seek a way to get to know their favorite entertainers and sports figures on more intimate levels and celebrity cookbooks satisfy both parties.
Jack and Mary's Jell-o Recipe Book
(S.l.: G. F. Corp.), 1937.
Spec / In-Process
Early sponsor/product tie-in features then radio personalities Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone interacting with Jello gelatin.
Frozen Strawberry Dessert, pg.10
1 pkg Strawberry Jell-O, 1 pint hot canned pineapple juice, 4 Tbsp sugar, 1 cup crushed strawberries, 1 3/4 cups cream (whipped)
Dissolve Jell-O in hot juice. Chill. When cold and syrupy, place in bowl of cracked ice or ice water and whip with rotary egg beater until fluffy and thick like whipped cream. Add sugar to strawberries and let stand 10 minutes. Fold into whipped Jell-O; fold in whipped cream and turn into freezing trays of automatic refrigerator and let stand 3 to 4 hours, or until frozen. Or turn into 2-quart container, cover with waxed paper, press cover tightly down over paper, and pack in equal parts ice and salt for 3 to 4 hours. Makes about 2 quarts.
Poppy Cannon, The Presidents' Cookbook:
Practical Recipes from George Washington to the Present
(New York: Funk & Wagnalls), 1968.
Spec / TX715 / .C218 / 1968
The culinary tastes of our Presidents have varied widely over the years and from administration to administration.
Zana Knight Henderson Cookery Collection
Roman Punch, pg.291
Lemons, Oranges, Water, Whiskey or champagne, Egg Whites, Sugar
Grate the rinds of 4 lemons and 6 oranges. Squeeze the juice and add it to 1 gallon water and quart whiskey (or 1 bottle champagne), along with the grated rinds. Beat 8 egg whites to a froth and add. Freeze until ready to serve. Makes a delicious, refreshing finale for a dinner party.
Dinah Shore, The Dinah Shore Cookbook
(Garden City, NY: Doubleday), 1983.
Spec / TX715 / .S55873 / 1983
These recipes were chosen and tested by Dinah Shore, singer, actress and talk show host.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground white pepper, 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 Tbsp oil, 1 pound pork sausage (patty-type)
Preheat oven to 425° F. Make batter by sifting flour, salt, and pepper into bowl. Make a well in the center and drop in eggs. Mix well with a whisk or electric beater. Add milk and water and mix well.
Put oil in the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan and place it in the oven to heat. When oil is hot, line bottom of pan with sausages. Pour batter over all. Transfer to highest shelf in oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Paul Newman, Newman's Own Cookbook: A Veritable Cornucopia of Recipes,
Food, Talk, Trivia and Newman's Pearls of Wisdom
(Chicago: Contemporary Books), 1985.
Spec / TX715 / .N567 / 1985
Newman, family and friend compile recipes, anecdotes and photos into charming and witty cookbook.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
1 2/3 cups maple syrup, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, 1/2 Tbsp ground nutmeg
Mixed together: 7 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup chopped toasted almonds, 1 cup chopped pecans
In a heavy saucepan, combine maple syrup, butter, and nutmeg, boiling until mixture reaches 270° F on a candy thermometer (the soft crack stage), stirring occasionally. Dribble onto popcorn and nut mixture until well covered. May be made into bite-size popcorn balls and wrapped in wax paper or pressed into a large well-oiled pan and broken up into smaller pieces when hardened. Keep in a container with a tight lid.
Ken Beck, Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook
(Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press), 1991.
Spec / TX714 / .C53 / 1991
This beloved television character is expanded with the publication of these time-tested recipes. Set photos and show dialog are also included.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
8 pork chops, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 cup catsup, 1 cup Coca-Cola, Brown Sugar
Place the pork chops in a baking pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix the catsup and Coca-Cola, and pour over the pork chops. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake uncovered in a 3500 oven for 1 hour or until the pork chops are tender.
Robin Leach, The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Cookbook: Recipes and
Entertaining Secrets from the Most Extraordinary People in the World
(New York: Viking Studio Books), 1992.
Spec / TX725 / .A1 / L33 / 1992
Consummate host Robin Leach collected recipes from over 50 celebrities for this coffee table tome. Beautiful, sumptuous photos abound.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
4 egg whites (at room temperature), 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 5 Tbsp (5/8 stick) unsalted butter (melted and cooled), 2 Tbsp cocoa, 1 Tbsp heavy cream, Ice cream and sorbets
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk egg whites briefly just to break down. Add the flour and sugar and whisk until blended and smooth. Stir in the butter, cocoa, and cream. Cover and let the batter sit for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450° F. Butter 2 large nonstick baking sheets. Drop tablespoonfuls of the batter about 5 inches apart on the baking sheets. Using the back of a spoon, spread the batter out as thin as possible to measure 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Bake until the waters are just brown around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Watch carefully, as they burn easily.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Working quickly, use a spatula to transfer the wafers to cover the end of an upturned drinking glass whose bottom measures 2 to 3 inches in diameter. While the wafer is still warm, use a ramekin to gently press down to form a tulip-shaped wafer. Leave the ramekin to cool on top. Lift gently to unmold. The wafers must be hot to mold them into shape. If they cool during the process, run them back into the oven for 30 seconds to 1 minute to warm them and render them pliable. Continue this process until all the batter is used. Wipe the baking sheets, cool, and rebutter between each batch.
Just before serving, place the tulips on individual serving plates. Fill each with small scoops of vanilla ice cream and sorbets.
Baked tulips will keep overnight in an airtight container and may be frozen for up to a month. Makes 10-12 tulips
Elizabeth McKeon, Fit for a King: The Elvis Presley Cookbook
(Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press), 1992.
Spec / TX715.2 / .S68 / M34 / 1992
Recipes for the traditional Southern food Elvis loved, including many from his longtime cook Alvena Roy.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 Tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic (crushed), 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, Salt to taste, 4 boneless chicken breasts, 1 small avocado (peeled and cubed), 1 medium tomato (sliced), 1 red onion (sliced)
In a small bowl whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper. Add salt to taste. Pour the sauce over the chicken and set it aside to marinade for 15 minutes. Place the chicken in a broiler pan. Reserve the marinade. Broil the chicken until done.
In a separate bowl combine the avocado, tomato, onion, and lime marinade. Spoon the mixture over the chicken just before serving. Makes 4 servings.
Ann B. Davis, Ron Newcomer, and Diane Smolen, Alice's Brady Bunch Cookbook
(Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press), 1994.
Spec / TX714 / .D39 / 1994
Cookbook and memory book of the popular television sit-com family "The Bradys" includes cast photos and behind-the-scene anecdotes from Ann B. Davis.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup instant oats (uncooked), 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 4 2.23-ounce Snickers bars (cut into 8 slices each)
Grease the bottom of an 8-inch square pan. In a large saucepan melt the butter or margarine. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and vanilla. Blend until crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the Snickers bar slices in the pan, about 1/2-inch from the edge of the pan. Finely crumble the remaining mixture over the sliced Snickers bars. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool in the pan on a cooling rack. Cut into bars or squares to serve. Makes 24 bars.
Elizabeth McKeon, Elvis in Hollywood: Recipes Fit for a King
(Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press), 1994.
Spec / TX715 / .M474334 / 1994
More recipes from Alvena Roy including Elvis' favorite Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich.
Virginia Sue Morgan Dawson Collection
5 squares unsweetened chocolate, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 cups boiling water, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup butter (melted), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 quart vanilla ice cream (softened), 1 chocolate bar (grated)
In a saucepan melt the 5 squares of chocolate. Cook over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add 3/4 cup sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Continue cooking for 4 minutes. Let the mixture cool.
In a medium bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup of sugar, and cinnamon. Evenly press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie tin. Refrigerate until the crust becomes firm.
Fill the crust with the ice cream. Top with the chocolate syrup. Garnish with the grated chocolate. Refrigerate until the ice cream is set. Makes 6 servings
In the Kitchen with Miss Piggy
(Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books), 1996.
Spec / TX714 / .I5 / 1996
Miss Piggy calls on her celebrity friends (including Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta) to share their favorite recipes in order to benefit the Meals on Wheels program.
12 small red potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds, unpeeled, sliced), 4 garlic cloves (unpeeled) 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, 4 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper (preferably white), 2 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Bring water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan. Put in the potatoes and garlic and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Butter a shallow 1-quart baking dish.
Drain the potatoes and garlic. When they're cool enough to handle, slip the garlic cloves out of their skins. In a shallow bowl, coarsely mash the potatoes and garlic with a potato masher or fork (do no use a food processor-it will make the potatoes gluey). Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Spread the potato mixture in the baking dish and evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 Tbsp Parmesan over the top.
Broil 4 inches from the heat until the top is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Serve the dish garnished with chopped parsley (if using).
Joan Lunden, Joan Lunden's Healthy Cooking
(Boston: Little, Brown), 1996.
Spec / TX714 / .L86 / 1996
This personal and professional journey from fat to fit chronicles Joan Lunden's struggles to balance her hectic home life and high profile profession.
2 1/2 cups blueberries (stems removed), 1 1/2 cups raspberries plus 8 extra for garnish, 1 cup blackberries, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt, 1 1/2 Tbsp honey, 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Preheat broiler. In a large bowl, gently toss together the berries, cinnamon, and granulated sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and honey.
Divide the berry mixture among 4 individual gratin or ovenproof dishes. Top each one with 1/4 cup of the yogurt mixture, and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of the brown sugar. Broil until the sugar melts and carmelizes, about 2 minutes. Garnish with raspberries and serve immediately.
Note: The berries can also be cooked in one large gratin pan or shallow baking dish.
Pat Baird, Disney's Cooking with Mickey and Friends: Healthy Recipes
from Your Favorite Disney Characters
(New York: Disney Press), 1998.
Spec / TX652.5 / .B218 / 1998
Recipes targeted to kids to help develop healthy eating habits. Filled with helpful illustrations and Disney characters.
1 medium potato, 1 small onion, 1 medium tomato, 1 stalk celery, 10 peeled ready-to-eat baby carrots or 2 large carrots (washed and peeled), 1/2 pound lean ground beef, 1 cup packaged bread crumbs, 2 egg whites, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, mustard and ketchup in squeezable bottles
Preheat oven to 325°F. Peel the potato, using a potato peeler. Set aside. Cut a thin slice from each end of the onion. Take off the outside skin. Set aside.
On the cutting board, chop potato, onion, tomato, and celery into 4 or 5 pieces each. Put all the vegetables (including carrots) into the workbowl of a food processor. Add the meat, bread crumbs, egg whites, salt and pepper.
Place the lid on the food processor, and lock it in place. Turn on the processor. Let it run for about 1 to 2 minutes, until all the vegetables are chopped and combined with the meat.
Turn off the food processor. Unplug the cord, and remove the lid. Fill each of the non-stick muffin cups with the meat loaf mixture using a soup spoon. Decorate the top of each one with mustard and ketchup.
Place the pan carefully in the oven using oven mitt. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer placed in the center reads 160°F.
Remove the muffin pan carefully from the oven, using oven mitt. Gently remove each meat loaf using one fork underneath to lift out, and another fork on top to hold it steady.
Florence Henderson, Florence Henderson's Short-Cut Cooking: America's Favorite
Mom Helps You Get Dinner on the Table Fast
(New York: Morrow), 1998.
Spec / TX833.5 / .H46 / 1998
Ever wonder what it's like to cook with America's favorite mom? Florence Henderson's Short Cut Cooking is filled with recipes for her favorite meals.
3 ripe peaches or nectarines (cored and cut into wedges), 2 ripe pears (cored and cut into wedges), 1/2 ripe pineapple (peeled and cut into chunks), 2 ripe but firm bananas (peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces), 1/4 cup brandy (or 1 tsp brandy flavoring plus 3 tsp apple juice; or 1/4 cup peach syrup), 1/4 cup orange-flavored or raspberry liqueur (or 1/4 cup orange juice plus 2 tsp sugar), 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted), 2 Tbsp sugar
Preheat the grill or broiler. Place all the fruit in a glass bowl.
In a microwave-safe measuring cup, whisk together the brandy, orange liqueur, melted butter, and sugar. Place it in the microwave and heat on high for 30 to 45 seconds, until the mixture is warm.
Thread the fruit alternately onto skewer and brush with the warm brandy mixture. Cook the skewers on the grill or on the broiler pan under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Brush again with the leftover brandy mixture as the skewers cook.
Serve fruit on the skewers with ice cream on the side for an appealing presentation.
Artie Bucco (pseud.), The Sopranos Family Cookbook
(New York: Warner Books), 2002.
Spec / TX723 / .B754 / 2002
Inspired by the Emmy award-winning HBO series "The Sopranos," this cookbook is one of the most popular celebrity cookbooks ever published.
One 10-12 ounce package white mushrooms (trimmed), 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 2 large garlic cloves (thinly sliced), Salt and freshly ground pepper
Place the mushrooms in a colander and rinse them quickly under cold running water. (Do not soak mushrooms, or they will absorb too much water.) Drain the mushrooms and pat them dry. Cut the mushrooms in half, or into quarters if large.
In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook 2 minutes more, or until the garlic is golden. Serve hot.
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup!
(New York: HarperCollins), 2002.
Spec / TX652.5 / .L33 / 2002
This kid-friendly cookbook has recipes chosen and tested by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
1 large ripe banana (peeled and sliced), 1 cup washed strawberries (stems and hulls removed), 1/2 cup raspberries or 2 peeled and sliced kiwis , 1 cup plain yogurt, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 Tbsp honey
Place all of the ingredients in the blender and process on high speed until smooth, about 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into glasses and serve.
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