Cooking Down East

When my grandmother died, I was the lucky recipient of "her "secret recipes."(Cooking Down East : Favorite Maine Recipes and Keep Cooking the Maine Way). Everytime I make the Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Cake, the Fish Chowder or the Lobster Newburg (the fancy one--of course!), I am momentarily returned to my childhood.The Red Flannel Hash is pretty terrific, too.At last count, I had 273 cookbooks in my private collection, but these two are the ones I most often return to when I wish a taste of home. Unlike many others, they seem to spend a majority of the time on my kitchen counter, permanently dusted with flour, stained forever with tiny Maine blueberries.If you are looking for nothing fancy-schmancy, only exemplary "home-style cooking," then these are the best you will ever find.Thanks Nanny (and thanks Ms. Standish)

My first edition of this book was given to me by my husband 26 years ago. I have many fond memories of family dinners, deserts and favourite recipes from this book. To me it is a touch of home. Gloria Legere Mainiac in Exile in Washington State.

I grew up with this book and Ms. Standishs other Keep cooking the Maine way. Absolutely the best book. Good simple food and easy to follow. I love it!

As I get ready to go to my yearly family lobster bake here on the Fourth of July, I bring with me a long time favorite of Marjorie Standish's, Melt-in-your-mouth blueberry cake. I have bake this cake for friends from all over and it is always a hit. I double the recipe and make a 9"x13" because there is never enough! I was so glad to see this cookbook back in print since my mother will not give up her copy which I grew-up using. Majories fish chowders are the best especially on a cold snowy night! A "must" cookbook for the kitchen.

This book was always in the kitchen at home, and one of the first things I learned to cook was the Doughnut Muffins, which we often had on Sunday mornings with the papers. Only place I know that has a real recipe for Red Flannel Hash, too! Brings back lovely memories. Soul Food for a Maine girl