Tastes & Treasures: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona

I've just returned from vacation in Arizona. I sampled a "taste" of this cookbook while visiting Karchner Caverns Gift Shop, and knew I had to have my own copy. Inside there are interesting stories about the various historic hotels and restarurants that feature recipe selections from their menu. there are also recipes from folks who have lived in Arizona, including Barry Goldwater, that met with rave reviews from patrons or family members. I tried a salmon recipe that was excellent, and plan on trying a good many more. The stories attached to each recipe(s) are also gems in their own right.

Tastes & Treasures: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona I have yet to be disappointed with the recipes I've tried. My favorites include John Wayne Eggs page 194, Roasted Portobello Mushrooms page 108, and Tortilla Soup page 141, an Erma Bombeck recipe. Two Fred Harvey original recipes are featured. My great aunt worked at the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon as a Harvey Girl in the early 20th century. I wonder if she ever served these dishes to visitors. Tastes & Treasures is more than a cookbook. It also offers fascinating information about many of Arizona's great historic hotels and restaurants. It's a pleasure to cook from and a pleasure to read.

This is a beautifully written and photographically illustrated book. I use it as client gift, for its stories of Arizona notables and locations. I recently attended a luncheon which featured several of the recipes, specifically the El Chorro Lodge's sticky buns (an Arizona legend of its own), Luscious Lemon Loaf, the Berry Fruit Salad with Mint Sugar(fabulous!) and other great salads! This book highlights many historical spots, serving exceptional meals throughout Arizona.

This wonderful cookbook has something for everybody. Recipes from chefs which are delicious, historic recipes from famous Arizonans and favorite recipes submitted by League members who love to cook. After reading the stories included in the cookbook, it's perfectly clear that creating it was a labor of love. I have made many of the recipes, and they are now family favorites; the Pinon Crusted Chicken is fabulous.

I don't do much cooking but this book has inspired me and most of the recipes are easy. Learning about the history of Arizona's historic hospitality inns and restaurants while I prepare recipes from these places is fun. The Historymakers food memories are wonderful stories. When I think about all those famous people and how simple foods from their childhood meant so much to them. Tastes & Treasures: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona